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Need for Speed SHIFT

EMAIL PRINT psp

6.9 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 10 critic reviews
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Based on 12 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Bright Light

Genre(s): Racing, Driving

Players: Multi

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: September 15, 2009

Summary

Need for Speed SHIFT brings a true driver's experience to some of the world's most iconic racing tracks, including the storied Brand's Hatch in the UK. The game also features the largest roster of high-performance cars in Need for Speed history including race cars such as the Pagani Zonda F, Porsche 911 GT2 and Lotus Elise. Players are thrust into the loud, intense, and athletic experience of racing a car from the driver's perspective through the combination of perception based G-forces, the hyper reality of the cockpit view, and the all-new brutally disorienting crash dynamic. Need for Speed SHIFT features an accurate, accessible physics-based driving model that allows you to feel every impact, every change of track surface and every last bit of grip as you push yourself to the edge. [Electronic Arts]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Cheat Code Central

If it's fast-paced racing you crave, and you don't care about adjusting every nut and bolt on your car, then Shift is an excellent game that exceeds expectations in all areas.

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GamingXP

An amazing game that is as the other games of the Need for Speed series well established. There is always something new you can discover and there are always new cars, which are waiting to be driven.

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GameFocus

Although the game carries the name SHIFT, don’t expect a faithful simulation replica of the console version. While it’s not your perfect racer, it packs enough punch to entertain you at a reasonable price. Now, if you have played Gran Turismo, you might see it as a huge backward step but let’s be reasonable here…EA Bright Light didn’t took five years to develop this one.

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Multiplayer.it

The PSP version of Need for Speed SHIFT remains anchored in the classic style of the series. The driving model is arcade, with very few concessions to realism. The number of cars is not very high, but the prizes system works good as usual: you can unlock upgrades and extras if you keep driving the same car.

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Everyeye.it

An arcade racing with an incredible number of game modes.

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Vandal Online

The problem is that Bright Light has not succeeded to surprise us just like the "big version" of Need for Speed has, and Shift for PSP is an arcade game, enjoyable during some time, but not special at all.

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3DJuegos

Need for Speed Shift for PSP is a different game compared with the other versions. This time the game offers a full arcade style. The long career mode is a little restrictive but it has a great variety in races. It has some problems issues in the gameplay, with only 15 circuits a little repetitive. A little better than the last NFS: Undercover version on PSP but still so far of the best games in this genre like Gran Turismo or Midnight Club L.A Remix.

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PSFocus

The PlayStation 3 version is great, the PlayStation Portable version isn’t. It is at no point better and the graphics are really basic, including the audio. The gameplay isn’t really spectacular. If you got the PlayStation 3 version or can’t choose between them: the PlayStation 3 version a lot better.

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Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

The PSP effort really could've used a little more of the full-sized version's actual evolution. [Dec 2009, p.81]

IGN

It also runs really well, which is always a plus. However, the bottlenecked career mode is way too restrictive, and since you can't really control what cars you earn, it just feels like you're going through the paces after a short while.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.9 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Ronald Donald gave it an8:
This game is much more better than what I expected. I have been playing the NFS titles for about 4-5 years, and I've seen some up and downs. Hot Pursuit 2 was amazing, Most Wanted was okay, Porsche Unleashed was not so good, and Carbon: Own the City was fine by all means. Still if I had to rate this game of what position it is all time in the NFS category, it would be #2 behind Hot Pursuit 2. These games are the best on Playstation. Shift shows you a new type of racing game that I haven't seen. And it includes cars from the Dodge Viper to the BMW M3 to the Koenigsegg CCX. I was dissapointed that there was no cops in this game. All there was really to do with getting away is to get away from the other racers. Get this game if you're a NFS fan. But if your a new racer, go with Carbon: Own the City or Hot Pursuit 2. I happily give this game a 8 out of 10.

B S gave it a9:
Ok, first of all this is not a simulation game like its console brothers. It's an arcade game that fits quite well into the handheld pick-up and play for 10 minutes scenario yet substantial enough to play for 5 hours straight. The graphics are pretty good, almost as good as Midnight Club LA Remix's, the only downside being that it users sprites for trees and spectators and cars do not have translucent windows (no biggie really). The car customization is "streamlined", meaning that you have no input into deciding what gets updated, the game will reward you with engine, turbo, tires, body and custom vynils. There are certainly less customization options than previous NFS games but they do offer a slight performance boost for your car. Speaking of cars, it boasts the new VW Scirocco, Lotus Exige S, Acura NSX, Audi R8, Porsche Cayman S, Ford GT, Porsche Carrera GT, Aston Martin DBR9, Lambos, Zonda F, Koenigsegg CCX, BMW M3 GT2 and Bugatti Veyron (yes!). 26 cars in total. They all sound nice, different and real-like and the sountrack is one of the best i've seen in a racing game. It's slightly reduced from the console version but the 5 or so tracks that were removed were awful, so i see that as a benefit. Plus it has custom soundtracks, it will play whatever mp3's you have on your stick (if you do, that is :D). The gameplay is tight, pretty easy at times but very challenging at parts, perfect to get you hooked. It will last you for 15 to 20 hours, so it's pretty short but it does have some replay value if you try to unlock the upgrades for your favourite cars. Overall, a solid 9 due to being slightly short and only 7 cities with various track variations (short, standard, extended, and two sprints). But a really good racing game and thumbs up for the weather variations.

Hiro M gave it a9:
This game is much more arcade style than the other versions. The graphics and effects are some of the best I've seen on a PSP racer (reminds me a little of burnout). The rain effects are amazing! I like the livery editor too, it's cool to import your own pictures onto the cars. I am really enjoying playing through the career mode, there is a lot of variety in the events. The only downside is that it is not really a simulation game. But for pure fun, this is one of the best racers I've played for a long time.

Don P gave it a4:
Wow, while they have upped their game physics wise, the handheld NFS "port" lacks any viable customization options, and has a horrible representation of drifting.

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Need for Speed SHIFT

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