User Score
7.9 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 78
  2. Negative: 8 out of 78

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  1. JonB.
    Nov 15, 2003
    10
    Having played the demo for this, I was totally blown away. I decided to buy the full game right away. Tight control, gorgeous stages, sweet rides, and most importantly: THE CAR'S ENGINES SOUND GOOD AGAIN. (like they used to back in NFS5!) Floor it and hear the now-turboed 350Z roar, let off the gas to hear the blow-off valve release it's pent-up air. Get a woofer and a wheel to really have fun with this title. Oh, and although the game is huge, install was a breeze. Two thumbs up. Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. DanP.
    Oct 8, 2003
    10
    Hot hot hot.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. MuhammadA.
    Nov 20, 2003
    7
    This good!!!!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. CaioOrsolini
    Nov 27, 2003
    1
    I haven't got it yet, but from what I've read, it has a very poor career mode, and all tracks look the same. And... Where are the Ferraris, Porsches, McLaren? And it seems like its driving doesn't feel too real... Come on, EA, looks like each year your games are getting worse... I already hated Hot Pursuit II... Here's what we want: expensive cars, nice tracks, real driving and a good career mode! Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. Nerijus
    Dec 20, 2003
    10
    Its very good game,but i havn`t got cheats for this game plz me :)
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. FreddyK.
    Dec 3, 2003
    9
    Very nice!.. Its like being in "The Fast and The Furious" :)
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. WiciuW.
    Dec 7, 2003
    10
    I think it's the best racing game lately. Graphics are outstanding including flashes, blur and mirror like effect. All of that combined with advanced tuning capabilities both visual and internal gives us this esoteric game which is an absolutely "must have' for all racing and tuning fans all around the world.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. DinkelasX.
    Jun 11, 2004
    10
    This is the best street racing game, I also race in real life, so this is closest pc game which imagine a real racing. Only difference between game and real racing on the streets is Adrenaline...
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. ChrisS.
    Aug 7, 2004
    6
    NFS: Underground offers sweet graphics, good music and ok gameplay. However if you only have 20 bucks to spend pick up Midnight Club 2 instead. NFS:Underground lacks that title's drive anywhere gameplay, huge urban environments, take no prisoners opponent AI, damage modeling and replays.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. IzZo
    Nov 22, 2003
    8
    U know if i had'nt played this game on two pcs i mite have even it a very terrible rating, this game needs a heck of a powerful g-card, my geforce 4 was'nt enough, it only looked good on geforce Ti, on my pc it looks crappy, but on Ti, man wat a sweet game, attention to detail is incredible, the cars are sweet + the gamee modes are awesome, i can't get enough of the drift racing! this is the best NFS yet, only minus point mite b that the game is'nt that difficult as previous NFS, as a result dissapointment because of finishin the challenges quickly may occur... overall a really good car game, i still think NFS is the best car series for pc at the moment, great work again EA... Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. Blade
    Nov 25, 2003
    9
    Luke: NONE of your comments make any sense, this game rocks in every aspect, graphics to die for, killer gameplay, not cheap at all. Giving this game a zero ? Didn't you get confused with your IQ ?
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. NuckoN.
    Nov 25, 2003
    10
    Wow!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. UrosC.
    Nov 26, 2003
    9
    Excelent game.The only thing that I miss in the game is Drag racing in online mode...Great work EA!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. NomisS.
    Nov 30, 2003
    9
    I don't like that you cant buy any car...but all other thing is realy good..the graphics, yea you know.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. Friendlyhobo
    Nov 30, 2003
    6
    The problem with NFS Underground, which may not be a problem for many, is a "shift" the developers have gone for. And; it's a major one folks. NFS has always been a series about racing. When NFS 1 came out, it literally changed the genra. The point A to B tracks (Alpine, Coastal, etc.) and the closed tracks were simply "simulastic" (That's my word for fantastic + simulation -- nice huh?). NFS 5, Porsche Unleashed was the next good game as such in the series. NFS kept drifting (no pun intended) towards an arcadish feel, and the latest game by them has completed the transition. Now don't get me wrong, it's a nice game... but it's hardly about racing. Incredible graphics, a lot of user options to "create" a ninja street machine... and then race it against the stereotyped under-world. Coming to the "racing", it's one large area which is always wet (to compliment the reflections), always shown at night, and always feels the same. This game just disappointed me. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. AlfadorJ.
    Dec 6, 2003
    7
    Its a great game and very fun. I only have 2 complaints. The muliplayer part just sucks, and there is only one American car and it just SUCKS. Where is GM? GM is one of they biggest manufactors in the world, they deserve at least one car. I guess that would make the game to easy though. If you had the 454 chevell (as rapped about in one of the songs) there would be no car to be able to keep up with you. heh. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. Shadymilkman
    Dec 7, 2003
    10
    Best racing game ever. I was never a big fan of racing games, but this game changed me. Everything about this game is great, I just hope EA would make a patch that will allow you to play your own mp3.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. PatrickE.
    Dec 9, 2003
    7
    Having not played any of the previous NFS titles for longer than 5 minutes, I was skeptical about this one. WHile not wholly thrilled about the game, I'm not wholly disappointed either. Graphically, the game is the best I've seen since GT3. Being able to see your surrounding clearly whille moving at 130+ M.P.H. is a big plus for me. It's also not as jagged as some racing games are. Giving my ride a custom look was also a highlight of the game for me. On the other hand, giving my ride a custom look was a bit disappointing. I have plenty of cash to spend and can't buy the parts that I want. Whille having to win races to unlock tracks is something that I agree with, I don't like the idea of telling me I can't buy a certain exhaust tip because I haven't beaten enough races. This goes the same for performance upgrades. I was disappointed to find that all the cars are about the same, even though in reality they are much different. While I haven't gotten it yet, I know that there's an RX-7 in the game, and I'm looking forward to getting it, but knowing that a fully upgraded Civic couldn't hope to come close with a fully upgraded RX-7. Another thing I didn't like was the lack of performance tuning. Being able to set my suspension and gear ratios and downforce should all be something that can be modified in a racing game that allows customization. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  19. Adam
    Feb 18, 2004
    9
    I give it a 9 for it's graphic and feeling. But I would give it a 10 if the cars could crash..
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  20. JoshS.
    Feb 23, 2004
    10
    Best need for speed game i have ever played.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  21. TeknoMan
    Mar 3, 2004
    9
    A very very good game, 4 ever tuning!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  22. Inked4life
    Jul 19, 2004
    9
    Only one problem with this game....your stuck with "stock" music. You can only listen to the same tune for so many hours!!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  23. EnzoS.
    Sep 26, 2004
    10
    VERY VERY COOL.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  24. FrankHo
    Nov 21, 2003
    8
    Not better than burnout2 on ps2, but much better than midnight club 2!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  25. AidanG.
    Nov 21, 2003
    3
    This could've been great, but there is no LAN mode. What were EA thinking of? Please release a LAN patch, EA.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  26. EricL.
    Nov 21, 2003
    10
    This is a great game!! Real like you're in a car!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  27. Lukesky
    Nov 20, 2003
    0
    What a poor game..midnight club 2 reigns supreme over this... with cheap graphics..poorly rendered cars it can go back into the christmas stocking i want my money back.. underground racing? cartoon racing more like.. being able to tinker with the car didnt make me feel any more interested as the game had the look of a cheap budget made game..and people spoke so highly of this.. save your money as there are better games out there.. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  28. JordyO.
    Nov 22, 2003
    10
    I have it now on the pc the full version not the demo and it's great ( i download it ) i am living in europa so it;s not out yet but i have it ! really joy !!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  29. JakeL.
    Nov 24, 2003
    8
    Good graphics, easy to learn, lots of fun but could use better tracks.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  30. CharW.
    Nov 25, 2003
    9
    tThe game is great but they should make this type racing in the format of hot pursuit 2.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  31. ToniP.
    Nov 27, 2003
    9
    Great, great, great! But where ist the LAN-Mode? But the online battles are very funny! I love this game! Tune it !
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  32. StephenH.
    Dec 14, 2003
    9
    Very enjoyable, more fun to play than I was expecting. Its great fun to customise the sh1t out of a car, really personalising it. Its just a pity that there's no LAN mode and that the music is so bad. Gorgeous graphics though.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  33. MattP.
    Dec 19, 2003
    9
    This game is fast paced, enjoyable, challenging, graphically amazing and the best racer i've played in a while. The only thing stopping this game from receiving a ten is the lack of damage on the cars, for which there is a very good reason.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  34. VladN.
    Nov 14, 2004
    10
    I expected the same graphics, but the gameplay is beyond what I expected.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  35. CarlosW.
    Nov 19, 2003
    9
    Great sense of speed, somthing even more than midnightclub 2, great modes, drag circut, drift, etc. exellent graphics, a bit too shiny if u tell me. overall very good experience.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  36. Flammie
    Nov 23, 2003
    9
    Seriously now. Has anyone of you played a more addictive car game? I just can't stop drifting!!! It's so much fun!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  37. BitBurn
    Dec 14, 2003
    8
    Very good game. Graphics are great, gameplay is pretty sweet. However, I do find the Online menu a bit retarded but overall this game is a winner!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  38. Sep 2, 2010
    8
    Exceptional game. Got many, many hours from this one. Best racing physics in the series imo. Doesn't deserve a 9, yet deserves more than an 8. I'll give it an 8, but I really mean 8.5 or so. Bloody brilliant game.
  39. Mar 17, 2012
    6
    The first Need For Speed game which has decent graphics and a good storyline. I think the progress system in this game is pretty slow you get to all Level 3 upgrades after playing more than 80% of the career mode which is kind of slow. Apart from that good gameplay but gets kind of repetitive and the overall size of the city is pretty small. It feels like racing on the same tracks over and over again. Expand
  40. May 22, 2012
    8
    Everything about this game is great. I just wished that it is a little bit realistic in the result of colliding cars, crashed and destroyed cars. But, it's still great.
  41. Nov 19, 2011
    3
    It's arcade alright, but don't expect anything fast. More fun than the second one but still nothing special. To enjoy this game you have to a chav.
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Racing doesn't get much better...unless you're in a real car. [Mar 2004, p.75]
  2. With just a bit more variety to its tracks and a slightly better career mode, it definitely could have been better, but it has great graphics, solid sound, and the sort of easy learning curve that makes it a driving game that anyone can excel at.
  3. That break-the-mold game that longtime players of the franchise have been waiting for. And if you're already a street-rag reader, you have permission and reason to drool - just keep it off the AirFlow controller, please.