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Crashing for Fun

July 13, 2005 › Sandy McMurray | comment

My son Alex and I have spent way too much time this week playing Burnout 3 on Xbox. This video game, published by EA, combines the thrill of car racing with the destructive fun of Smash-Up Derby. (Does anyone else remember Smash Up Derby?)

There are two types of driving video games. Simulations, like Gran Turismo, are a little too real for my taste. I prefer arcade games that help me pretend that I can drive around a corner at 200 MPH without crashing.

Burnout 3 goes one step further: it actually rewards you for crashing into other vehicles. In addition to the racing part of the game, which includes bonuses for knocking other drivers off the track, there's a section that rewards you for wrecking as many vehicles as possible in a metal inferno.

I know Burnout 3 is not a new game, but I've just discovered it, and it's fun. Check it out.

Smash Up Derby jingle (as much as I can remember):

He's driving his old junker and he's lookin' for a wreck
He'll smash a car, he'll smash a truck, or anything by heck,
Now look at this new SSP Smash Up Derby set
It's Bug 'em a going against Tough Tom
Who ain't been beaten yet.

Come on little Bug 'em, you can get it done!
Crash, bang, smash em up, Smash Up Derby is fun!

Kenners new SSP Smash Up Derby set.
You're a lookin at the whole thang!

July 13, 2005 › Sandy McMurray | comment on this item