Need for Speed: The Run

 3DS
Need for Speed: The Run Image
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

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  • Summary: Need for Speed The Run lures players into an underground world of illicit, high-stakes racing. The heat is on - and it isn't just the fuzz who are after you. Entering the race is just the beginning as you blow across borders, weave through dense urban traffic, rocket down icy mountain passesNeed for Speed The Run lures players into an underground world of illicit, high-stakes racing. The heat is on - and it isn't just the fuzz who are after you. Entering the race is just the beginning as you blow across borders, weave through dense urban traffic, rocket down icy mountain passes and navigate narrow canyons at breakneck speeds. Powered by DICE's state-of-the-art Frostbite 2 engine, Need for Speed The Run takes the action racing genre to new heights with stunning visuals and car physics that hug the road even at top speeds all built around a gripping storyline. The cars are hot, the racing is intense and the story will have you at the edge of your seat… all the way from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Empire State building.… Expand
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Need for Speed The Run - Limited Edition Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. GamingXP
    Nov 18, 2011
    83
    Need for Speed: The Run is better than expected. It offers a great variety of different race modes, pretty cool videos and a lot of unlockable stuff. The autolog feature, which keeps players challenging each other, is for the first time included on 3DS, and the game offers some multiplayer possibilities.
  2. Games Master UK
    Dec 17, 2011
    71
    It packs a considerable amount of content into that tiny cartridge. [Jan 2012, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Nintendo Gamer
    Jan 14, 2012
    71
    A solid and punchy racer that lays it on too thick with the gimmicks and then forgets to put any bends in. All the same, this is a strong restart for NFS. [Christmas 2011, p.69]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. SpazioGames
    Dec 15, 2011
    65
    It's decent porting of the HD console version, but absolutely nothing special per se. You probably want to wait for batter racing experiences on 3DS, unless you're an absolute NFS fan.
  5. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    Nov 17, 2011
    62
    The Run is really good when the racing is kept simple, but unfortunately it rarely is. Unfortunately, the overall feeling you take away is frustration.
  6. Gameblog.fr
    Dec 2, 2011
    60
    We'd have loved to have some finesse in the driving, or more subtle tracks, but it's not the case. NFS the Run on the 3DS is an arcade racing game in which you just drive straight. It still offers a nice speed feeling, numerous challenges and and nice solo adventure, but its gameplay is too rough. If it's a real racing game you're looking for, that's not it.
  7. Modojo
    Nov 26, 2011
    40
    A tough game to recommend. Although it shows signs of life, those bothersome mini games get in the way of what could've been the best 3DS driving game.

See all 9 Critic Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. MadPenguin
    Nov 16, 2011
    10
    This version out plays the high def versions by miles, story is slightly different but it does not detract from the awesome work the devs didThis version out plays the high def versions by miles, story is slightly different but it does not detract from the awesome work the devs did to squeeze so much out of the 3DS and still manage to have Autolog and actual multiplayer racing on a handheld. The sense of speed is fantastic, the handling is better than Ridge Racer 3DS. This brings me back to the days of the original Need For Speed Games where you had crazy jumps and awesome car chases. The mini games adds to the game by adding a welcomed respite from the insane speed.… Expand
  2. JSXero
    Apr 8, 2014
    8
    Need For Speed The Run joins the ranks of some great racing titles on the 3DS, but what it does best, is not exactly what it does new, butNeed For Speed The Run joins the ranks of some great racing titles on the 3DS, but what it does best, is not exactly what it does new, but what it reminds us of.

    The Run feels similar to the console versions, but different enough that you can tell two different development teams were working on each version. And I'm talking about how the cut-scenes in the 3DS version are hand drawn comic panels, but how the game feels when you are behind the wheel.

    Graphically the game holds up compared to Ridge Racer Or Asphalt 3D, but where the game stands out is it's heavy influence with it's vehicle combat borrowed from Criterion's Burnout series. While EA in the last few years have even hired Criterion to work on it's home console versions, not even those games come as close as what this handheld version does to emulating classic Burnout titles.

    It's racing there's not much you can say about it, it's Point A to Point B kind of stuff, no laps but plenty of rival/cops to take care of, and this is where Burnout's influence stands out, takedowns are just as satisfying to pull off in this game as they were back 10 years ago when they appeared in Burnout 3.

    If you are looking for a game to calm those Burnout cravings while you wait for EA to pull their finger out, you can't do better than The Run for the 3DS.    … Expand
  4. Inny74
    Dec 13, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This version of Need for Speed: The Run is quite impressive, since it is the first proper NFS game on a Nintendo handheld. It can handle many assets on screen at once (also an downside, as I will soon explain), licensed music that don't sound like compressed garbage, proper progression and car list is on par with the Definitive version, if not better. Events are fun to play, and challenges more so.
    However, where this falls flat is the quick time events, and rather lackluster story. It features static, comic book type cutscenes, however, this is excused because of the lack of power the 3DS had at the time. The quick time events are still repetitive, but appear less often than the HD versions of the game.
    The most impressive element of the game is also will be your worst enemy. In the last event "Hot Finish", you will have to leave NYC and escape federal agents, police, and the mafia. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? It would be if the difficulty was not so sporadic and unpredictable if the game wouldn't spawn 4-5 of each FBI, police, and mafia, all wanting to kill you. Regardless if the game decides to off all the enemies off screen, or makes them all actually go after you, this last race is a total crapshoot, Expect frame drops, expect to crash several times.
    Sure. it may not be as great as the console counterparts, and sure, this version's online is more non-existent as Undercover's, but it is a decent time waster if you wish to play for its campaign mode.    … Expand
  5. Shunior
    Apr 4, 2022
    5
    Ya lo habiá jugado en la Wii y pillé para la 3DS en promocion, esta bien, no es el mejor NFS que la consola podría nos haber dado pero igualYa lo habiá jugado en la Wii y pillé para la 3DS en promocion, esta bien, no es el mejor NFS que la consola podría nos haber dado pero igual es un buen juego… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best 3DS Game of 2011
52
#52 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
17
#17 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011