Burnout 3: Takedown is a single-player and multiplayer arcade-style racing game. The game places players in high-speed street races across traffic-filled roads and cityscapes, where victory depends not only on speed but also on aggression. Races are designed around the concept of “takedowns,” which reward players for ramming and wrecking rival cars. Each successful takedown adds to a boost meter, enabling prolonged bursts of speed and encouraging a risk-versus-reward style of play.

The single-player campaign features World Tour mode, a progression system that spans multiple continents and event types. Players earn medals and unlock new cars, events, and tracks by completing challenges. Over 70 vehicles are available across 12 classes, ranging from compact cars and sports models to exotic supercars, buses, and semi trucks. Tracks are spread across more than 40 locations in the United States, Europe, and Asia, each filled with shortcuts, alternate routes, and heavy traffic.

Combat racing is reinforced with the Aftertouch mechanic, which allows players to steer their wrecked car during slow motion immediately after a crash. This feature can be used to push other vehicles into obstacles, chain together additional wrecks, or secure a last-second takedown. Modes such as Road Rage challenge players to destroy as many rivals as possible before time runs out or their vehicle is totaled, while Burning Lap and Eliminator emphasize precision driving and survival under pressure.

Crash Mode, first introduced in Burnout 2, returns in expanded form. Players launch their car into intersections packed with traffic and pickups, aiming to cause the highest monetary damage possible. New icons on the road alter outcomes: multipliers increase scores, explosions trigger chain reactions, and cash bonuses add to the tally. Unlike standard races, Crash Mode focuses entirely on orchestrating spectacular pileups rather than finishing first.

Multiplayer options include split-screen and online play. Party Crash mode supports up to 16 players locally in a pass-the-controller format, while online play allows up to six racers to compete across multiple event types, including Race, Road Rage, and Crash Mode. Performance is tracked with rankings, and successful players unlock more vehicles and event tiers.