Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. It's nice to see a slew of exotics alongside sport compacts. The newest Need for Speed may be the most wanted of the season, being one of the best racing games for now.
  2. 90
    Making a name for youself by climbing the game's Black List, aka series of bad-ass mo-fos you must beat, is good fun.
  3. Wanted's story won't win any awards, and the game would still be tremendous fun without it, but it gives your racing added significance.
  4. 85
    The stylistic presentation and graphic sensibilities are impressive, and they're complemented by excellent engine sound effects and smart cop chatter.
  5. While I yearned for a little more in a few areas (difficulty curve and graphical polish in particular), the overall experience lies somewhere between the first "Underground" and the second...meaning it's easy fun, but not genre-defining. [Dec 2005, p.148]
  6. It's been missing for a while, but the simple inclusion of the police catapults Most Wanted into one of the best racers in recent history.
  7. The actual racing hasn't changed too much, but the ever-present police make this game a whole lot more interesting.
  8. Most Wanted brings the police back in force, and the game benefits greatly from it.
  9. Another solid addition to the Need For Speed franchise, even if it does have a few annoying flaws here and there.
  10. This may be one of the smoothest racers ever, and definitely a most-wanted on my list. [Jan 2006, p.115]
  11. 80
    I'm personally glad to have crawled out from "Underground" and to have started something fresh, even if it is a rehashed concept.
  12. 80
    With three dozen licensed cars ranging from the new Mustang to the perennial street racing favorite Subaru STi, a meaty 15-20 hour story mode and loads of optional challenges beyond that, Most Wanted is one game you're going to be playing into the wee hours.
  13. The addition of smart and relentless police pursuers has reinvigorated this popular driving series.
  14. 77
    The only thing stopping it achieving a better score are the aforementioned niggles coupled with some below par AI. Their computer-controlled abilities switch from laughably amateur to 'one mistake and its race over' Terminator-style brutality in a matter of moments which seems more than a little unfair.
  15. A solid, fun racer, but its repetitive single-player events and limp four-player online multi (Xbox only) sap its power. [Jan 2006, p.120]
  16. The story mode does provide a challenge and will last most around the 15 hour mark, however once that's past the game has very little to offer largely because of the fundamental online options.
  17. It seems obvious, now, that this game is for the hardcore Need for Speed fan. If you love the series, get it; it's a marked improvement.
  18. It's a nice, clean package that delivers enough hi-octane chases and enjoyment to warrant a purchase. [Christmas 2005, p.121]
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Most Wanted is the best racing game ever. This game is a must have for gamecube gamers. Graphics: 8.8 Gameplay: 10 Career: 10 Design: 10 Overall: 9.7 Full Review »
  2. TomD.
    9
    The best racer on Gamecube by far- the cops make it fun- unlike Underground 2 where it was just boring. WE LOVE THE COPS!
  3. RolandoD.
    9
    The best game i played ever, but needs more car customization.