Colin McRae Rally 3 Critic Reviews

The game IS gorgeous. The graphics are beautiful the sound effects are spectacular, and the overall presentation is extremely stylish.

In what has to be a first for rally titles, much of the scenery, which should be breakable... is! No more bouncing off seemingly solid tape barriers - they now snap and even flap in the wind.

As far as realism, physics, and attention to detail, Colin blows away the competition.

A simple joy to play. There's little about it that isn't excellent, polished, authentic rallying of the highest standard, with the graphics, sound, and above all handling to back up its well-respected license.

That, combined with the absorbing way the game draws you into the season, through neat animations and an impossibly stylish menu system, makes this the motor sport title to own - for purists and weekend drivers alike.

There are less modes, tracks and cars but the engine has been rebuilt and offers incredible handling and realistic graphics. If you want to focus on rally racing without all the distractions, this is the game.

From the superb modeling of the interior and exterior of the vehicles, the realism of its courses, and the precision of its control, McRae looks and feels just like the real thing.

The feel of the driving is what earned the McRae series its reputation, and the controls remain impeccable in this PS2 edition.

Everything you could have wished for and more.

Stylish and amazingly realistic, Colin McRae Rally 3 does a brilliant job of capturing the essence of rally racing while keeping it delightfully fun.

The physics, sense of speed, handling and graphics are dazzling, top-notch effects that rocket this game to the top of the heap. On the other hand, the sheer lack of game modes is disturbing.

Although the game's career mode is a little dry (compared to "V-Rally 3") and the damage is forgiving, Colin McRae Rally 3 contains some stunning graphics and is a powerful, mesmerizing experience.

A very good rally racer. It looks good and plays even better. For those interested in this style of racing, this title is one worth looking into.

Only graphical impoverishments, a terrible secret-unlock method, and a lack of features prevent perfection.

A good game hindered by lack of options and other cars to drive in the Championship mode.

The most realistic rally game released for the PlayStation 2 to date, but it offers very little in the way of gameplay options and can occasionally prove frustrating because it makes you overly dependent on the instructions of codriver Nicky Grist.

That you can only tweak the Ford Focus and drive only as McRae in the Championship mode is a little silly, but the game still kicks ass and is a lot of fun to play. And that's what really counts in my video game drawer.

One exceptionally notable aspect of the game is the sound. Even on a simple stereo setup, the sounds of the engine and the environment were crystal clear.

If Codies opened up the format and provided more variety in the Championship mode, it would be a king.

Definitely a niche game targeted to a specific group of racing fans, mainly hardcore rally racers. With its ultra-realistic driving and damage model combined with a distinct lack of game modes and content, this may not be the game for everyone.