Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)

 Xbox 360
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005) Image
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 195 Ratings

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  • Summary: Combining the thrill of illicit street racing and tuner customization with the intensity of strategic police pursuits that rivals any Hollywood-style chase scene, Need for Speed Most Wanted challenges players to become the most notorious and elusive street racer. Players instantly feel theCombining the thrill of illicit street racing and tuner customization with the intensity of strategic police pursuits that rivals any Hollywood-style chase scene, Need for Speed Most Wanted challenges players to become the most notorious and elusive street racer. Players instantly feel the thrill of the ride as they hit the streets in an open world environment where drivers can tune their cars to compete against any class of vehicles or use their wits to out-fox the law to satisfy their need for speed. Need for Speed Most Wanted delivers a unique, fast-paced and gripping ride in the racing genre as players build up their Rap Sheet and street cred to move their way up the Black List to become the most wanted racer on the streets. Players go head-to-head with the top drivers on the scene as well as strategically evade more than half dozen cops at any one time. Also included are a dynamic open world, new gameplay and customization as well as tuners, supercars, muscles and sports cars. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 54
  3. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. Detroit Free Press
    100
    One of those rare racing titles that make you feel like you're driving 180 m.p.h., yet still in control of your ride. You soar through the streets, trade paint with rivals and blast over the finish line.
  2. GameShark
    91
    The Xbox 360 makes NFS: MW an even better game and it should absolutely, positively be one of your first titles with the console.
  3. MS Xbox World
    90
    I have found that NFSMW is highly addictive and the return to the roots of the series with the pursuit mode is a more than a welcome inclusion over the recent underground titles.
  4. XGP Gaming
    84
    Do you want a near-perfect combination of both, and the game that takes on almost all the qualities of a successful launch title? Do you want this reviewer’s most enjoyed game on the Xbox 360? Get Need for Speed. Be the most wanted.
  5. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    82
    The lack of variety in the actual races and subsequently online doesn’t do much to justify the £50 price tag, but once you have a fast car and experience some of those intense police chases in glorious HD, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear.
  6. AceGamez
    80
    Awesome ambient effects provide the glue for stunning visuals, sound effects almost drown out pumping beats and remarkably adept police chats, while the gameplay challenges are enough to keep you on the edge of your leather upholstered bucket seats.
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Gaming Age
    67
    Need for Speed: Most Wanted takes Underground’s control scheme and slaps it into the Hot Pursuit series, which in the end, does not work.

See all 54 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 40
  3. Negative: 4 out of 40
  1. Dave
    Dec 1, 2005
    10
    Played PGR on the 360 for a day but Most Wanted I have been playing non-stop. A lot more new than PGR3, however, Most Wanted is still street Played PGR on the 360 for a day but Most Wanted I have been playing non-stop. A lot more new than PGR3, however, Most Wanted is still street racing. Cop pursuits blow you away. Way to easy in the begining but heat level ramps quickly. Heat level 5 is way to much fun! The Rhinos (SUVs) are punishing but fun. I've completed career and the end pursuit is crazy fun and the bridge jump - best ending I have played in racing game, however, the reward is a little weak. Graphics - 10 - Beautiful city, cars look awesome, cool visual treatment and effects (pursuit transition is awesome - gets my blood going each time). AI - 9 Audio - 9 - cop dialogue and the interactive music is awesome. The audio director (Charles I think his name is) needs to pick better music though - 3 years of bad music.… Expand
  2. MegWhiteley
    Mar 22, 2012
    10
    Amazing title, this game is amazing, the cars, graphics, all is amazing in Need For Speed Most Wanted, the gameplay is funny and addictive.Amazing title, this game is amazing, the cars, graphics, all is amazing in Need For Speed Most Wanted, the gameplay is funny and addictive. This title is fantastic.… Expand
  4. JJ2FAS4U
    Dec 28, 2021
    10
    Atmosphere: 10
    Enjoyment: 10
    Gameplay: 10
    Graphics: 10
    Music: 10
    Story: 10
    Total: 10.00
  5. maxseitz
    Oct 11, 2009
    9
    I am not a racing fan at all, in truth i didn't even like burnout revenge( please no hate mail). I got this game as a christmas presentI am not a racing fan at all, in truth i didn't even like burnout revenge( please no hate mail). I got this game as a christmas present almost 3 years ago and I still have a blast in the pursuits. The car custimization features are awesome, and the graphics on the gam eare very nice for an early 360 game. The best part of the game are the pursuits: I can not describe the fellings you have when you blast through a roadblock or run straight at a rhino( suicidal SUV). The only problem I have with this game is that the level 1-2 pursuits are way to eay, but other than that, I think this game is perfect.… Expand
  6. ugarov_jr
    Mar 10, 2022
    8
    Awesome game at 2005 year. Great graphic and gameplay. But some episodes is very difficult. Pursuits is very boring, difficult and long.
  7. BryanMcCann
    Sep 18, 2007
    8
    it is a pritty good game if you have no other games you have not played yet. I have four diffrent ones Burnout revenge, test drive unlimited,it is a pritty good game if you have no other games you have not played yet. I have four diffrent ones Burnout revenge, test drive unlimited, Moto gp 06, and Need for speed carpen. this is my second fav out of them. the one that is better is burnout. if you like street racing with japan cars then this is the game to get. don't wast $50 more dollors on the new need for speed game. when you can get this one for around 25 dollors new. I have also rented a few and still this is the 2nd best one. good graphics, alright controls. but don't get the Ds one it sucks.… Expand
  8. voter
    Nov 18, 2005
    0
    apart from being a little bit smoother there aint no difference from the PS2 veersion of underground

See all 40 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2005
6
#6 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2005
4
#4 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2005