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A GREAT GAME WITH ONE GLARING OMISSION

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 56 / 65
Date: November 20, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The game is fast and fun, but with some tearing on the PS2 version. Poor PS2, it just can't handle the speed anymore. I can't wait for the PS3. I have a 41" Sony XBR Tube TV and my eyes were bleeding the first night of play. Wow!! My eye doctor gave me a bottle of teardrops for playing these types of games. Your eyes don't get washed by normal blinking and dry out because you're concentrating so much. Get yourself some REFRESH TEARS if you play race games for hours on end. You'll need it here. The graphics are good with nice rain and sunlight effects. The Dolby Pro Logic is some of the best surround I've heard in a game. The thunder coming out of my rear effects speakers was incredible. There's a WIDESCREEN feature. There is an option to mix the 26 songs in the jukebox anyway you like. I don't care for Hip Hop so I turned it all off and put all the Heavy Metal in random order. You can also sample every song to make your choice. If you don't like Heavy Metal or Hip Hop you can turn it ALL off and just listen to the sounds of the engines purring. The MENUS are confusing at first as there are many sub-menus within sub-menus. It took me 15 minutes just to figure out how to get out of CAREER MODE. (You must PAUSE, go to your SAFE HOUSE, and GO BACK two times to find the MAIN MENU.) It's not the most user friendly menu system I've seen.

This time NEED FOR SPEED mixes the free roaming city of the UNDERGROUND series with the heavy police presence of THE HOT PURSUIT games. The game has a million tracks and a million things to do.

The meat of the game is the CAREER MODE. This is where you acquire the stats in EVENTS, MILESTONE COMPETITIONS, and CHALLENGES to be challenged by the 15 MOST WANTED on THE BLACKLIST and open all the cars and some of the juicier parts for the cars. You'll meet all the characters in FMV which is a little weird, but kind of cool, for a racing game. The acting is good, but you can forward through all of them if you just want to race. Some of the characters will give you hints via messages on the SMS cellphone and email feature which you can manage by either keeping or deleting them. Along with acquiring stats you'll also need to make your presence known to the police and collect needed BOUNTY points so that when you have enough BOUNTY and stats you'll be challenged by a rival on THE BLACKLIST. Your RAP sheet contains all the info about your ALIAS. The funniest stat was for the amount of damage you've caused the State. CAREER MODE is where you FREE ROAM which is really unnecessary because you'll find yourself getting into the BLACKLIST with the press of a button to enter the events you need to be challenged by a rival. Once you enter an EVENT, CHALLENGE, MILESTONE COMPETITION or BOUNTY, it takes you were you need to go. There are also ICONS throughout the city that are also unnecessary for certain EVENTS. Just go into the BLACKLIST MENU to check off the things you need. However, you will need the WORLD MAP display to set the GPS system to show you where the parts SHOPS are. You can't go directly to them from the BLACKLIST or PAUSE MENU. You'll need to drive to them. You can get to the SAFE HOUSE (your garage) by just pressing the PAUSE button. You don't have to drive there. To me the free roaming around the city is rather moot unless you want to get the lay of the city for when the cops are chasing you. I just wing it with the MINI MAP provided in the lower left corner of the screen looking for the SPEEDBREAKER and COOL DOWN spots. The only time you use the whole city, which opens up later with more sections, is when you're running from the cops. The rest of the events are set courses that you must follow to beat.

Other MODES are QUICK RACE with QUICK PLAY where the game gives you the car for the track you select. The manual tells you to play this MODE because it will unlock special cars or items you can't unlock in other parts of the game. There's also CUSTOM RACE in QUICK PLAY where you use a separate garage with a limited choice of cars until you open up the rest of the cars in CAREER MODE. You can also set the number of laps and the number of rivals for most events. There's SPLIT SCREEN for head to head racing and THE CHALLENGE SERIES, which was the meat of the game in NEED FOR SPEED HOT PURSUIT 2.

RACE TYPES include CIRCUIT, DRAG, LAP KNOCKOUT, SPEEDTRAP, SPRINT, and TOLLBOOTH.

The cars are great, but limited, and can be customized. Visual CUSTOMIZATION is rather needless for reasons I mention below. I love the MUSTANG FASTBACK. As a teen in the late 70's and early 8o's, I street raced a '66 MUSTANG with a 289 punched out to a 302, a Holley 4 barrel, a high-speed rearend, a low race cam, turbo flow mufflers, anti-sway bars, and a Cruisematic transmission. That's it!! We didn't use nitrous or computers. And that car was the fastest quarter-miler in the whole San Fernando Valley in SO CAL. The only car that ever came close to beating me was a CORVETTE. That dreaded CORVETTE is in the game too. The FORD GT is a great car and one of my favorites from GRAN TURISMO. I'm glad they included the LAMBORGINIS from HOT PURSUIT, but where are the FERRARIS? Where else can you destroy a $250,000 FERRARI and just go get another one. Bummer. You will be driving the lesser cars for a while until you earn enough money to buy better ones, but even the smaller cars FLY when you get them souped up. VERY NICE!! VERY FAST!!

One of the best things about the NEED FOR SPEED series are the car physics. HOT PURSUIT 2 did them a little better, but when you get off the road into the dirt or grass your car spins it's tires a little. When you get back on the pavement you can really feel the car gripping the asphalt. I like them better than the floaty rocket car physics of MIDNIGHT CLUB and BURNOUT. The physics are a combination of simulator and arcade. JUST AWESOME!!

WARNING TO REPLAY FANATICS: There is no REPLAY RACE feature in the game to review big events. I've only played the UNDERGROUND series on DEMO, but NEED FOR SPEED HOT PURSUIT 2 (which is my favorite racer of all time) had this feature. As do most other racing games. To me, this is a glaring oversight by EA. Having a racing game without a REPLAY is like not having one of the best features. What's the point of all the visual customization and car damage when you only see your car in the garage and at the start of a race and you're only gonna be looking at it from behind for the rest of the game? A lot of the fun is watching yourself drive after pulling off some ridiculously insane driving techniques or after causing some major damage in a police pursuit. My friends and I love to REPLAY awesome races, critique the driving, and pat ourselves on the back. It's part of the reward for a challenge well done. I mentioned this to a friend and he just groaned. I know it's not a simulator but it should be a STANDARD feature in ALL racing games. Do the race cameras eat up that much memory? I don't think so. EA blew it BIG TIME by not including this feature!! I was really having fun my first night at the game and had taken down 2 of the 15 rivals on THE BLACKLIST in CAREER MODE. But, not having a REPLAY RACE feature almost SINKS this game for me. This game would get a solid 9 from me, but not having a REPLAY brings down my score!! WHAT A DISAPPONITMENT!! I FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS CHOPPED OFF MY RIGHT ARM AND I CAN'T SHIFT MY RICE BURNER.

I also filled out the game registration at EA's website and have yet to receive the hints and cheat codes they promised by email. Juggleheads!!

If you can get past the fact that the game has no REPLAY feature, you're going to have a lot of fun. Me, I just can't get over it. I WANT MY REPLAY CAMERA!! I guess I'll have to turn off all the lights in my house, grab a bottle of Jack, and weep by myself in the corner.

ENJOY.

THIS SHOULD BE THE BEST GAME OF THE YEAR!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

The graphics for Need For Speed Most Wanted is off the CHART!!!!! The pursuit is way more FUN then Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2. There are New feature in this game like Tollbooth and Speed Trap. You can also change your bodykit, for getting away from cops and win an oppenent's car. But, there are many races in this game, in order to be at the top of the Black List. Need For Speed Most Wanted is a mixuture of Need For Speed Underground 2 and Hot Pursuit 2. THIS SHOULD BE THE GAME OF THE YEAR!!!!!

AWESOME GAME

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 26, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Overall, I had to give this game a 5 star rating. Everything on the game rocks. The cars are hot.(especially the Porsche Carrera GT) Free roam mode is very realistic.Career mode is awesome. Hot pursuit chases get harder but more fun when busting through roadbloks and making police cars flip.I love getting the pink slip to your Rival's cars to keep them.You can't get the vinals on their cars anywhere in the game.Music is pretty good. Sound effects awesome. Wish i could give it a 10 star rating. Recommended.(VERRRRRRRRRRRRRY)

Need To Be Fast & Furious

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 9
Date: December 31, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I always have been a fanatic of driven racing games. Nevertheless, there have been some great games that have really stood out that testament to all racers like Mario Kart for Nintendo, and the sleek and exciting Gran Turismo series for the Playstation 2 system, and the high speed Project Gotham Racing games for the Xbox systems. As for Electronic Arts, the company that has been known for the drama of the highly acclaimed Madden football series, they have definitely known that with the Need For Speed franchise for several systems and computers. Now, that has taken a turn to being most wanted for all gamers.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted for the Playstation 2, is a wild fast and eciting thrill ride, as you goal is to become the number one villain of the underworld of racing. The game here is more like a hybrid cross, bringing the gameplay from the Underground series, while trying to add the element for racers, who were fans of Need For Speed's Hot Pursuit series a few years ago. The game includes several challenges from career mode, which is where you can earn points, and unlock the baddest of automobiles from current classics like the Chevy Cobalt coupe and the Ford Mustang, to exotica with maddening street credibilty like the Ford GT, the Subaru Impreza WRX, and the Lambourghini to the mix as well. The graphics and sound really do stand out well, and bring each element out of the gameplay, while the control is very simple and easy to maintain for all racers alike. The game also includes classics like Circuit, Lap Knockout and Point To Point races, which have been recognized for all classic Need For Speed fans, as well as new gameplays like Toll Booth knockout, which is where you can try going through as many tool booths along the racetrack within the time limit.

All in all, Need For Speed: Most Wanted is a great game for die hard fans of both the Underground series, and a welcome return for anybody who enjoyed the hot pursuit days too. While I honestly wish that this could've had more locations rather than one big area to play in, it still remains a whole lot of fun. I love this driven game, and for anybody who has the Playstation 2, you'll like this fast & furious speed.

Graphics: B+

Sound: B

Control: B 1/2+

Fun & Enjoyment: B

Overall: B 1/2+

AWESOME!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 10
Date: November 18, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game completely obliterates the others in the series, especially the Undergrounds. It takes the best of both worlds and combines them into one kick ass game. The graphics are awesome, the soundtrack is stellar, The cars rule, though I was disappointed that there was no online for the PS2 version, I quickly got over it when I started the career mode. I only have one real complaint: WHERE ARE THE NISSANS??? The Skyline, the 350Z, the 240SX? Those cars are some of the best tuners out and they aren't in the game. I thought that sort of sucked. anyway, that's the only complaint I have with the game, other than that, it RULES!! Especially the police chases. The cops act like real cops, unlke in previous games where they were easily evaded, they set up road blocks, they try to P.I.T you, everything. Well, I'm ending this review now, overall, the game is awesome. If you like Underground, you'll love this game. If you like Hot Pursuit, this is your fantasy. If you like high speed racing, this game is for you.

I have THE NEED FOR SPEED!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 14, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I have been a Need for Speed Veteran since the early days of Playstation. I have played every game with the exception of NFS:Underground 2. EA has always given this series their best in providing fun, revolutionary graphics and gameplay. Long and challenging tracks, weather and time variations, EA has always delivered some of the most revolutionary aspects of racing games.

I have always believed this racing series is one of the best, if not the best. When it comes to fun, NFS is far better than Gran Turismo. When it comes to realism and commitment, Gran Turismo has the advantage.
NFS: MOST WANTED MAY have outsitted NFS: HOT PURSUIT 2 as my favorite racing game of all time if not for one flaw,(I can't believe EA missed this)NO REPLAY FEATURE. I loved watching the great and unbelievable stunts I pull after a race.
Anyway, as far as Tuning games are concerned, this is the best. You have a wide palette to soup up your cars, designs, performance upgrades and a storyline to boot. I only wish they had the Ferrari, Lamborghini Gallardo and the Nissan Skyline. Where is the MCLAREN F1?! This is the fastest car made ( Top speed 240 mph, stock)and should always be in NFS. I haven't finished it so hopefully it will be the reward.
Gameplay still is the good arcade/simulation mix that is the trademark of NFS. I'm a bit concerned on the frames per second,sometimes the frames moves too fast when I do 160 mph that I feel like I'm doin' 185-200 mph. In this aspect, I think NFS Hot pursuit is superior. The Career mode is my Favorite mode, Boy, Mia is HOT.
Different modes of play:
Quick race: CUSTOM, DRAG, SPRINT, CIRCUIT, Tollbooth, speedtrap etc.

Challenge: You go through each challenge to unlock the next one. Each one more difficult than the one before.

Career: My fav. You tune cars, budget your money, earn reputation, unlock cars, win your opponent's ride, buy new cars, FREE ROAM is where you drive around unlocked cities and sometimes, you get challenged and you can jump/drive to a race. If you don't want to drive to get to a race, pause the game, and go the BLACKLIST 15.
As far as I can tell, I haven't experienced any game freezes. I have the game since Sunday(3 days, played for 8-10 hours)I am in the BLACKLIST top 10.
The cops are great in this game because they don't cheat as much in HOT PURSUIT 1&2. You have a meter for Police heat so when your ride is too hot, park the car. Make sure you watch your RAP SHEET. There are pursuit breakers to stop the cops from chasing you, bump a semi, donut store and they stop to clean up the mess, Hiding places to let the cops cool down. Hot pursuit is best played in career mode. Free roam is where you can drive to get a feel for the city, but as an added bonus you can be challenged to a race or chased by cops when your car is too hot.
TIP: BUdget your money. You build your rep by winning races, evading cops and work your way up the blacklist. Put most of your resources to upgrade performance. Change the look of your car ONLY WHEN THE COPS are too hot on your ride by looking at your rap sheet. Change the paint, etc. Car look is only secondary unlike in NFS: Underground. I have a souped up FIAT which the body's stock but has a $ 150,000 bounty for the cops.

Other than the lack of REPLAY FEATURE, NO Ferarri cars, the game is AWESOME so far. I hope at the end of career mode, the character can date Mia. Hee Hee!!
THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST GAMES OUT THERE..BUY, BUY BUY!!

WOW, WHAT A GAME!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: March 30, 2006
Author: Amazon User

THIS IS DA BOMB. ONE OF THE BEST NFS GAMES EVER. I LOVE BLASTING THRUOGH THE ROAD-BLOCKS. THE COPS GET SMARTER AND SMARTER EVERY TIME. RACES ARE COOL. YOU HAVE TO GET THIS GAME. TOATLY WORTH IT

GET IT!!!!!!!!!!

Need For Speed Most Wanted..Smoking up streets all da way!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: November 29, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Need For Speed Most Wanted has been the most anxiously awaited game to all gamers... And now that the game is finally hit the shelves it has set the streets ablaze with its earth shattering graphics and mind blowing game play. It has some great Ea trax which include Bullet For My Valentine - Hand Of Blood and others like Static-X - Skinnyman. In the game you can do all kinds of stuff like evading the cops, racin , sprintin , Draggin , time trails and lots more . The game also features real cars like the BMW M3 GTR , MERCEDES-BENZ SLR MCLAREN and loads more... You can customize the cars much more this time and you have a large palette to choose from... you have a wide range of wide body kits as well to customize your ride the way you like it. This time need For Speed has a larger collection of decals as well so you can give your car that extra spicy look. In this game you main objective is take on the blacklist and to do that you have to be notorious and earn a name for yourself amongst the elite members of the blacklist. The cops play a BIG role in the game and believe me evading the cops ain't no walk in the park. EA has worked hard to make this game the best street racing game out there n if you ask me the sure did they're job well... The game also features some of the latest n unreleased cars like the Mitsubishi Eclipse GT and the Toyota Supra. This game to me is the Ultimate racing game!

OK, but could do better..

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: December 16, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game is pretty fun at the start, collecting bounty while avoiding police. However, as you keep going through the game, getting bounty from the police becomes tedious.
THIS GAME GETS BORING VERY VERY VERY QUICKLY!
First of all, it is good at the start, but the police really piss me off very quickly. I can't drive to the customizing shop without getting chased.
The gameplay is extremely unrealistic. It used to be realistic in Underground 2. You can turn 90 degree turns at 100 MPH+ without brakes. Now it's just a horrible, unrealistic game, like Burnout(the worst car game in the world).
However, the graphics aren't so bad, but the game is far too long for anyone to actually finish it. I would not recommend it. Save your money for God of War or Gran Turismo. This is A WASTE!

French Connection meets Mario...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 13, 2006
Author: Amazon User

For those who have the time and patience to learn the ins-and-outs of this, it is great, realistic racing. My favorite part, though, is going one-on-one in trying to outrun the cops. It is wild and very reminicent of the famous chase scenes from French Connection I and II. Playing this way never fails to draw an audience from whoever's in the house at the time, and they end up getting wrapped up in it, too, cheering from the sidelines with enthusiastic advice like "Look out!", "Watch out for the road block ahead!", "You've lost him!", etc. If you're not playing, it is still great to watch! p.s. I initially bought this for my son, and got hooked watching him play.

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