Xbox

Ford Racing 3

It’s all too often that gamers simply pass on a title because it’s in the budget bin and doesn’t meet the usual $49.99 price tag. Thus, people typically assume that it wasn’t given its share of TLC by the developer. Well, if there’s one company that has mastered the art of delivering a quality experience at a reasonable price it’s 2K Games whose most recent offer of Major League Baseball 2K5 stunned gamers with its $19.99 price tag and quality gaming experience. Ford Racing 3 follows suit and offers a similarly enjoyable experience at an even lesser price point of $14.99, making it even more attractive, despite its few flaws.

Throughout its history, the Ford Motor Company has built a large catalog of distinct vehicles, from muscle cars to trucks and sedans. The company has also cultivated a following of loyal enthusiasts who have formed countless car clubs across the country to celebrate their favorite classic and modern Ford vehicles. 2K Games is once again hoping to capitalize on the Ford catalog and enthusiast culture by bringing more cars than ever to the Ford Racing series with its latest title, Ford Racing 3.

It's been a while since I've had a racing game zip across my path. Along comes 2k Games' Ford Racing 3. It's low-priced, and though I don't usually grade things based on their price, I do have to mention up front that this is a classic budget title - coming in at a retail price hovering around $15.00 U.S. Keeping that in mind, it's got about the right amount of bang for the buck.

Since the first Model T motored down the streets back in 1908, the Ford Motor Company has been a powerhouse in the automotive industry. Now, Ford fanatics everywhere can experience nearly a century's worth of evolution in American engineering, thanks to the release of Ford Racing 3. But the real question is, can this game offer up enough to win over other race fans or is it trying to run a race on four flat tires?

The ongoing Ford Racing series is apparently not for me. I'm not a casual gamer, I'm not particularly into budget games (unless they're good), and I guess I just like basic things. You know, like fast cars, good handling, smart, or even somewhat decent, AI, and a little decoration. You know, some kind of presentation. Some small sense of style, or even just a little effort. These are all the basic things missing from Ford Racing 3, and I'm really just skimming the surface.