Dodgy collision detection (not a good idea in a super-fast racer that depends on near misses for its thrills) meant that sometimes the slightest touch (or even near misses) with another vehicle would mean that you came skidding to a halt. Together with big green 'help' arrows that obscured the excessive traffic crossing your path - meant that annoying wasn't a big enough word. And to add to the annoyance, an incredibly irritating and intrusive instant replay system that insisted on you re-living your non-crash by showing you two or three replays of any incident (that you couldn't turn off or even cancel), and you get an idea of how the promising Burnout shot itself repeatedly in the foot. Criterion's development team clearly listened to criticisms of Burnout, and have returned with a game that is improved in every way, whilst retaining the bare bones speed and excitement of the original.

   

Burnout 2 is an eye-catching stunner. Obviously still developed on Criterion's very own Renderware™, it has an improved, exceedingly smooth game engine with a noticeably higher resolution that gives a tremendous feeling of speed. And thankfully, unlike some other recent high profile PS2 driving games, it doesn't seem to know what pop-up is. The same system whereby you are rewarded for driving on the wrong side of the road (and having near misses) by getting your boost gauge filled returns, but is friendlier this time because now a collision doesn't mean it gets completely emptied. There are Championship, Single Race and training in the form 'Offensive Driving 101', and what might just be the most fun and addictive sub-game ever, 'Crash'.

Crash is mindless, simple and mad. Crash simply lets… no, demands that you cause the biggest, nastiest and expensive crash possible. It shows off B2's complex and accurate physics model to the full, and is possibly the greatest "just one more go" game of the last few years.

B2 has loads of vehicles (detailed and shiny 'lookalikes' of real ones, no boring, real, licensed damage-free models here) that you unlock as you progress. The circuits look great too - solid, varied and atmospheric scenery with realistic, superbly textured road surfaces and some nice weather effects.

   

In the Championship mode, the demands are refreshingly simple - Race, win, and you continue, second place is no good. Races get longer as you progress, more cars and tracks become available. The amount of traffic seems to have been slightly reduced, as do the number of crossroads, and the smoother graphics and prodigious draw distance allow excellent long range visibility - traffic lovers needn't worry, there's still plenty and this more open feel just means more fun as you are less likely to have a collision simply because you couldn't see what was coming or there was no way through. An added pursuit mode means you get to re-enact some of 'The Worlds Scariest Police Chases' or 'Police Stop' videos from the safety of you own settee.

The crashes are much wilder than before too. The new physics model allows flips and cartwheels, and the vehicle will literally spill its guts as the crash unfolds. Every panel and wheel on the car can get bent or even smashed clean off, the windows smash and truly remarkable looking smoke, tyre marks and sparks all add to the effect. B2's crashes are genuinely violent and impressive.

B2 is simply the finest arcade racer for years. It might not suit every serious suspension-tweaking, gear ratio adjusting Gran Turismo or Colin McRae fan, but the sheer speed, the impressively chaotic crashes and the immense fun factor will win even the most selective racing fan over in the end. A truly excellent sequel, and a great game in its own right.