Colin McRae Rally 3

{{Infobox video game

| title = Colin McRae Rally 3

| image = Colin McRae Rally 3 cover.jpg

| developer = Codemasters

| publisher = Codemasters

| director =

| producer =

| designer =

| programmer =

| artist =

| writer =

| composer =

| series = Colin McRae Rally

| platforms = Xbox, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows

| released = {{vgrelease|PAL|25 October 2002|NA|25 February 2003 (Xbox){{cite web |last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |date=25 February 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/colin-mcrae-3-ships-for-xbox/1100-2911548/ |title=Colin McRae ships for Xbox |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119230922/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/colin-mcrae-3-ships-for-xbox/1100-2911548/ |archivedate=19 January 2014 |url-status=live |accessdate=22 February 2025}}|NA|15 April 2003 (PS2){{cite web |last=Varanini |first=Giancarlo |date=15 April 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/now-shipping/1100-6025164/ |title=Now shipping |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111163847/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/now-shipping/1100-6025164/ |archivedate=11 November 2013 |url-status=live |accessdate=22 February 2025}}}}Windows
{{vgrelease|EU|13 June 2003}}

| genre = Racing

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

}}

Colin McRae Rally 3 is a racing video game developed and published by Codemasters for Xbox, PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows. It features rally cars from the 2002 World Rally Championship. Both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions were supposed to be released on 10 December 2002,{{cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=4 November 2002 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/colin-mcrae-3-delayed-until-february/1100-2896562/ |title=Colin McRae 3 delayed until February |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140120020136/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/colin-mcrae-3-delayed-until-february/1100-2896562/ |archivedate=20 January 2014 |url-status=live |accessdate=22 February 2025}} but their releases were delayed a few times before the latter version was settled for February 2003, and the former version for April.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| align = left

| PC = true

| PS2 = true

| XBOX = true

| na = true

| MC_PC = 83/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/colinmcraerally3 |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 (pc: 2003): Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913081711/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/colinmcraerally3 |archivedate=13 September 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| MC_PS2 = 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/colin-mcrae-rally-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 critic reviews (PS2) |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530181544/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/colin-mcrae-rally-3 |archivedate=30 May 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| MC_XBOX = 86/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/colin-mcrae-rally-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 critic reviews (Xbox) |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928044658/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/colin-mcrae-rally-3 |archivedate=28 September 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| Edge_PS2 = 8/10{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 (PS2, Xbox) |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=117 |date=December 2002}}

| Edge_XBOX = 8/10

| EGM_XBOX = 9/10{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 (Xbox) [EU Import] |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=162 |date=January 2003 |page=194}}

| EuroG_PC = 6/10{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=20 June 2003 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-cmr3-pc |title=Colin McRae Rally 3.0 (PC) |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706095415/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-cmr3-pc |archivedate=6 July 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| EuroG_XBOX = 8/10{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=24 October 2002 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-colinmcrae3-x |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 (Xbox) |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704235451/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-colinmcrae3-x |archivedate=4 July 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| GI_PS2 = 8.75/10{{cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-121-may-2003/page/82/mode/2up |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 (PS2) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=121 |date=May 2003 |page=83 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040227222742/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200305/R03.0807.1355.03917.htm |archivedate=27 February 2004 |url-status=live |accessdate=22 February 2025}}

| GI_XBOX = 8.75/10{{cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-116-december-2002/page/144/mode/2up |title=Colin McRae Rally (Xbox) [EU Import] |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=116 |date=December 2002 |page=144 |accessdate=22 February 2025}}

| GameRev_PS2 = B+{{cite web |last=Dodson |first=Joe |date=June 2003 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33578-cmr-3-review |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 Review (PS2) |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907212342/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/cmr-3 |archivedate=7 September 2015 |url-status=live |accessdate=22 February 2025}}

| GSpot_PS2 = 8.3/10{{cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=17 July 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-3-review/1900-6071852/ |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 Review (PS2) |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927232707/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-3-review/1900-6071852/ |archivedate=27 September 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| GSpot_XBOX = 8.6/10{{cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=17 March 2003 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-3-review/1900-6023358/ |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 Review (Xbox) |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126213205/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/colin-mcrae-rally-3-review/1900-6023358/ |archivedate=26 November 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| GSpy_PS2 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Hodgson |first=David |date=12 March 2003 |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/colin-mcrae-rally-3/5670p1.html |title=GameSpy: Colin McRae Rally 3 (PS2) [EU Import] |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625093639/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/colin-mcrae-rally-3/5670p1.html |archivedate=25 June 2007 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| GSpy_XBOX = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Hodgson |first=David |date=12 March 2003 |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/colin-mcrae-rally-3/5671p1.html |title=GameSpy: Colin McRae Rally 3 (Xbox) |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626150206/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/colin-mcrae-rally-3/5671p1.html |archivedate=26 June 2007 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| GameZone_PS2 = 8.9/10{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Natalie |date=26 April 2003 |url=https://gamezone.com/reviews/colin_mcrae_rally_3_0_ps2_review/ |title=Colin McRae Rally 3.0 – PS2 – Review |website=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230033259/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19281.htm |archivedate=30 December 2008 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| GameZone_XBOX = 8.8/10{{cite web |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=11 March 2003 |url=https://gamezone.com/reviews/colin_mcrae_rally_3_0_xb_review/ |title=Colin McRae Rally 3.0 – XB – Review |website=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125222513/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19281.htm |archivedate=25 January 2009 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| IGN_PS2 = 8.9/10{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |date=17 April 2003 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/17/colin-mcrae-rally-30 |title=Colin McRae Rally 3.0 Review (PS2) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528103329/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/17/colin-mcrae-rally-30 |archivedate=28 May 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| IGN_XBOX = 8.9/10{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Douglass C. |date=28 February 2003 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/28/colin-mcrae-rally-3-review |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 Review (Xbox) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120153948/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/02/28/colin-mcrae-rally-3-review |archivedate=20 January 2025 |url-status=live |accessdate=21 February 2025}}

| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Davison |first=John |url=https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-playstation-magazine-issue-68-may-2003/page/92/mode/2up |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=68 |date=May 2003 |page=92 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604061156/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1228166,00.asp |archivedate=4 June 2004 |url-status=live |accessdate=22 February 2025}}

| OXM_XBOX = 8.8/10{{cite magazine |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 [EU Import] |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Future US |date=January 2003 |page=69}}

| PCGUK_PC = 80%{{cite magazine |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 |magazine=PC Gamer UK |publisher=Future Publishing |year=2003}}

| XPlay_PS2 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Hudak |first=Chris |date=31 March 2003 |url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0%2C24330%2C3421931%2C00.html |title='Colin McRae Rally 3' (PS2) Review |website=Extended Play |publisher=TechTV |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030417144006/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3421931,00.html |archivedate=17 April 2003 |url-status=dead |accessdate=22 February 2025}}

| rev1 = BBC Sport

| rev1_PS2 = 90%{{cite news |last=Gawith |first=Nick |date=4 November 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/2396809.stm |title=Let's play: Colin McRae Rally 3 (PS2) |newspaper=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930122001/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/2396809.stm |archivedate=30 September 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=22 February 2025}}

}}

Colin McRae Rally 3 received "generally favourable reviews" on all platforms, according to review aggregator Metacritic.

IGN and GameSpot wrote positively of the game, praising improvements made in the handling, sense of speed, collision system, graphics, sound, and car customization over its predecessor, while criticizing its lack of substantial content. A lot of magazines and GameSpy gave the game favorable reviews, the former while the Xbox version was still in development, and the latter while the PlayStation 2 version was still in development.

Air Hendrix of GamePro{{'}}s January 2003 issue said of the Xbox version in an early review, "Only the restrictive Championship mode and the nature of Rally racing itself (one car soloing on the trach at a time, best result wins) confines the appeal of McRae 3—it's a racer's game, not a gamer's game. If that's you, McRae 3 is as alluring as a gleaming, freshly-waxed sports car."{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e3/GamePro_US_172.pdf |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 (Xbox) [EU Import] |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=172 |date=January 2003 |page=124 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050408061356/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/28765.shtml |archivedate=8 April 2005 |url-status=live |accessdate=22 February 2025}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Xbox version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 4/5 for sound, and 5/5 for control in an early review.}} Five issues later, he said of the PlayStation 2 version, "The feel of the driving is what earned the McRae series its reputation, and the controls remain impeccable in this PS2 edition."{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/29032.shtml |title=Colin McRae Rally 3 (PS2) |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=177 |date=June 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050113232716/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/29032.shtml |archivedate=13 January 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=22 February 2025}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 4/5 for sound, and 5/5 for control.}}