Browser-based games are beginning to grow so sophisticated that they resemble less casual games and more the cool PlayStation One and PC titles gamers enjoyed a while ago; Battlefield Heroes and Quake III: Arena are prime examples. Burnin’ Rubber 3 is another, available at Shockwave.com.

Burnin’ Rubber 3 is an arcade racer that anyone familiar with Burnout or Twisted Metal will instantly feel at home with. The premise is simple: you do a series of races and matches, buying upgrades and weaponry as you go along. There are several racing modes to choose from from simple races and elimination modes to combat oriented competitions in which you blow up opponents or simply the world to gain points.  The better you do, the more cash you earn, and the better the vehicles you can afford and upgrade. The races are quick and snappy, perfect for a 10 minute break from work or some lunchtime fun.

What makes Burnin’ Rubber 3 special is the overall high production value. Even though the game is browser-based and free, you don’t feel like you’re playing some cheap knock off. Rather, you feel like you’ve pirated a classic racer. The graphics are very well done, and the game has a polished sheen to it. The only quibble is the keyboard-based control which makes driving somewhat clunky; racing games need analog controls to deal with the subtlety of vehicle driving.

Burnin’ Rubber 3 is free to play, but in order to play multiplayer games, upload high scores or win prizes, one must join the Shockwave Club ($2.95/mo minimum); fortunately, the Club involves all of Shockwave’s flash games. You can try the game out free of charge here. Check it out – it’s a real winner.