Need for Speed: Underground
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Need for Speed: Underground | |
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File:Nfsu-win-cover.jpg Cover art featuring a Nissan Skyline GT-R | |
Developer(s) | EA Black Box Pocketeers (GBA) |
Publisher(s) | EA Games |
Series | Need for Speed |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance |
Release | Game Boy Advance |
Genre(s) | Racing |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Need for Speed: Underground is the seventh installment in the Need for Speed series, and was developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts in 2003. Two different games were produced, one for consoles and Windows, and the other for the Game Boy Advance.
Underground rebooted the franchise, ignoring the previous Need for Speed games which featured sports cars and exotics. It was the first game in the series to offer a career mode featuring a storyline, and a garage mode that allowed players to fully customize their cars with a large variety of brand-name performance and visual upgrades. All races take place in a generic city at night called Olympic City, though the city bears some resemblance to New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Rather than exotic cars, Underground featured vehicles associated with the import scene. Underground was commercially successful, and was followed by Need for Speed: Underground 2 in 2004.
Gameplay
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/38/NFS_Underground_%28PC%29_screenshot.jpg/200px-NFS_Underground_%28PC%29_screenshot.jpg)
Circuit is a standard race that involves racing with up to three opponents' cars around a loop track for one lap or more, and is the main mode of the game. For about the last 4 races of underground mode, the number of players decreases to only 1 rival, and the number of laps reach up to seven (endurance race).
Knockout Mode is similar to previous Need for Speed titles, and involves "knocking out" the last racer who passes the starting line in each lap until the final leader of the race remains, and wins the race. In the case of Underground, Knockout sessions have a maximum of three laps for four racers.
Sprint mode is a variation on the Circuit mode, where the contestants race in a point-to-point track instead of loop tracks. These races are typically shorter than "circuits" (with a maximum of 8 km in length), so players are required to be more cautious of any mistakes during racing, such as crashing into barriers or vehicles.
Drifting is the most challenging and technical aspect of the game. Drift mode consists of one player in a short loop track, where the objective is to collect as many points as possible by drifting along the track. The player competes with three other contestants, who appear to accumulate scores along with the player during the drift session. The player would be required to beat these scores in order to obtain top positions.
Bonuses are awarded for players who drift in the outer borders of the track, drift vertically, or perform chained-drifting (continuous drifting by constantly steering the vehicle during drifts to maintain speed); if the player succeeds in ending a drift without collisions onto the sides of the track, the collected points are added into the score, otherwise, the collected points are cancelled.
Drift mode is the only type of racing where time taken to complete the track does not matter, since players are given the freedom to complete the allocated number laps at their own pace. This may explain the absence of nitrous oxide in this mode, since it serves no apparent purpose in this situation.
Drag racing is the second most technical form of race in the game. It involves racing against one or three cars on typically straight tracks, and attempting to obtain top positions to win. In order to master Drag mode, players must employ good timing and reflexes for gear shifting, redlining, overtaking, and the use of nitrous oxide boosts. Because the player is going to put the engine to its limits the mode places particular emphasis in monitoring the tachometer during races, which is enlarged and situated on the leftmost portion of the screen. Steering in this mode is simplified to simply allow for lane changes, while the computer handles the steering along the lanes, and the player focuses more on maintaining an optimum speed for the car.
Two conditions will result in players being forfeited during a drag race: head-on collisions with an opponent, barriers, traffic cars or dividers (being 'totaled'); or blown engines as a result from prolonged redlining and the subsequent overheating of the engine.
Car customization
In the car customization menu, cars can be altered with performance upgrades and visual upgrades, such as paint colors, vinyls, neon, custom front and rear bumpers, custom side skirts, spoilers, custom hoods, exhaust tips, roof scoops, custom tires and stickers, and wide body kits.
Players have the ability to increase their car's performance by applying performance upgrades to the car. The player can upgrade their car's engine, drivetrain, suspension, tires, engine control unit (ECU) as well as add nitrous oxide, turbo chargers and reduce the car's weight (in the form of “weight reduction packages”).
Reception
Aggregator | Score | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBA | GC | PC | PS2 | Xbox | |
GameRankings | 77.33%[33] | 83.73%[30] | 82.29%[31] | 84.29%[29] | 81.76%[32] |
Metacritic | 77/100[38] | 83/100[35] | 82/100[37] | 85/100[34] | 83/100[36] |
Publication | Score | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBA | GC | PC | PS2 | Xbox | |
Edge | N/A | 7/10[1] | 7/10[1] | 7/10[1] | 7/10[1] |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | N/A | 8.67/10[2] | N/A | 8.67/10[2] | 8.67/10[2] |
Eurogamer | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7/10[3] | N/A |
Game Informer | N/A | 9/10[6] | N/A | 9.5/10[4] | 9.25/10[5] |
GamePro | N/A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | N/A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
GameRevolution | N/A | B[9] | B[9] | B[9] | B[9] |
GameSpot | 7.7/10[12] | 7.9/10[11] | 8/10[10] | 8/10[10] | 7.9/10[11] |
GameSpy | N/A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
GameZone | N/A | N/A | 8.1/10[18] | 8.5/10[17] | N/A |
IGN | 7.9/10[22] | 8.8/10[21] | 9/10[19] | 8.9/10[20] | 8.8/10[21] |
Nintendo Power | 3.4/5[24] | 4.1/5[23] | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | N/A | N/A | N/A | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | N/A |
Official Xbox Magazine (US) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 8.6/10[26] |
PC Gamer (US) | N/A | N/A | 88%[27] | N/A | N/A |
The Village Voice | N/A | N/A | N/A | 8/10[28] | N/A |
According to Electronic Arts, Need for Speed: Underground was a commercial hit, with sales above 7 million units worldwide by mid-2004.[39] Underground ultimately sold 15 million copies worldwide,[40] and entered the "best-sellers" of each console PS2's Greatest Hits and BigHit Series,[citation needed] Xbox's Platinum Hits,[citation needed] and GameCube's Player's Choice.[citation needed]
Need for Speed: Underground received positive reviews.[citation needed] GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 84.29% and 85 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version,[29][34] 83.73% and 83 out of 100 for the GameCube version,[30][35] 82.29% and 82 out of 100 for the PC version,[31][37] 81.76% and 83 out of 100 for the Xbox version[32][36] and 77.33% and 77 out of 100 for the Game Boy Advance version.[33][38] The only complaints critics had were the repetitive tracks, unbalanced rubberband AI, and the lack of free roam and damage in the game, with the latter only confining to detachment of license plates from cars during collisions, especially during Drag races.[41]
In the UK, Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine gave the PS2 version a score of nine out of ten and made much of the illegal nature of the gameplay. They praised the speed, but said that it was, "at heart, just another driving game with added Hollywood sparkle."[42] In Japan, Famitsu gave the GameCube and PS2 versions a score of two eights and two nines, bringing it to a score of 34 out of 40.[43]
By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of Underground had sold 2.6 million copies and earned $115 million in the United States alone. Next Generation ranked it as the sixth highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. It was the highest-selling Need for Speed game released between those dates in the United States.[44] The PlayStation 2 version also received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[45] indicating sales of at least 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[46]
The editors of Computer Gaming World presented Underground with their 2003 "Racing Game of the Year" award. They wrote, "It may not be a conventional racing title like a NASCAR or F1 title, but no other game will make you feel the Gs at every turn like NSFU does."[47]
References
- ^ a b c d Edge staff (December 25, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground". Edge (131): 115.
- ^ a b c EGM staff (January 2004). "Need for Speed Underground (GC, PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (174): 118.
- ^ Reed, Kristan (November 26, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground (PS2)". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ McNamara, Andy (December 2003). "Need for Speed: Underground (PS2)". Game Informer (128): 126. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Zoss, Jeremy (December 2003). "Need for Speed: Underground (Xbox)". Game Informer (128): 172. Archived from the original on February 2, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Mason, Lisa (December 2003). "Need for Speed: Underground (GC)". Game Informer (128): 159. Archived from the original on September 5, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Four-Eyed Dragon (November 18, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 23, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ a b Four-Eyed Dragon (November 18, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground (GC, Xbox)". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ a b c d White, A.A. (December 2003). "Need for Speed Underground Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ a b Gerstmann, Jeff (November 21, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground Review (PC, PS2)". GameSpot. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b Gerstmann, Jeff (November 17, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground Review (GC, Xbox)". GameSpot. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Provo, Frank (January 26, 2004). "Need for Speed Underground Review (GBA)". GameSpot. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Williams, Bryn (November 20, 2003). "GameSpy: Need for Speed Underground (PS2)". GameSpy. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Williams, Bryn (November 20, 2003). "GameSpy: Need for Speed Underground (Xbox)". GameSpy. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Williams, Bryn (November 20, 2003). "GameSpy: Need for Speed Underground (GCN)". GameSpy. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Osborne, Scott (December 14, 2003). "GameSpy: Need for Speed Underground (PC)". GameSpy. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Bedigian, Louis (November 30, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ Aceinet (December 7, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on November 8, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ Mirabella III, Fran (November 14, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground (PC)". IGN. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Mirabella III, Fran (November 14, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b Mirabella III, Fran (November 14, 2003). "Need for Speed Underground (GCN, Xbox)". IGN. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Harris, Craig (February 2, 2004). "Need for Speed Underground (GBA)". IGN. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "Need for Speed Underground (GC)". Nintendo Power. 177: 119. March 2004.
- ^ "Need for Speed Underground (GBA)". Nintendo Power. 177: 120. March 2004.
- ^ Davison, John (January 2004). "Need for Speed Underground". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on December 4, 2003. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "Need for Speed Underground". Official Xbox Magazine: 108. December 2003.
- ^ Mahood, Andy (January 2004). "Need for Speed: Underground". PC Gamer: 118. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ Catucci, Nick (December 2, 2003). "Big Pimpin' Poppas Trick Out Their Autos for City Streets". The Village Voice. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for GameCube". GameRankings. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for Xbox". GameRankings. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for Game Boy Advance". GameRankings. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for PC Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ a b "Need for Speed Underground for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic.
- ^ B2B Staff (July 26, 2004). "EA: risultati finanziari". Multiplayer.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on August 23, 2004.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Kollar, Philip (17 June 2015). "Need for Speed lets you drive how you want, and future NFS games probably will too". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ "Tweak Town". November 25, 2003. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "Need for Speed Underground". Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine (41). Future Publishing. December 2003.
- ^ "Need for Speed Underground (GC, PS2)". Famitsu. 785. January 1, 2004.
- ^ Campbell, Colin; Keiser, Joe (July 29, 2006). "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". Next Generation. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007.
- ^ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Double Platinum". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. Archived from the original on May 20, 2009.
- ^ Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017.
- ^ Editors of CGW (March 2004). "Computer Gaming World's 2003 Games of the Year". Computer Gaming World (236): 57–60, 62–69.
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External links
- 2003 video games
- Game Boy Advance games
- Game Boy Advance-only games
- GameCube games
- Interactive Achievement Award winners
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