Need for Speed: The Run

 3DS
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 9
  3. Negative: 1 out of 9
Buy Now
Buy on
  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. 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
  3. 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
  5. Nintendo Life
    Feb 10, 2012
    70
    While flawed in a few areas, the superb online experience and high speed action strapped into the little cartridge here packs enough thrills to satisfy any 3DS owner with an insistence for speed.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. XGN
    Dec 1, 2011
    50
    The console version of Need for Speed the Run is nice. That's not the case for the 3DS version. There is not enough to explore and there is almost nobody online. You can complete the game within a few hours and then it's done. Furthermore the quick time events are really annoying while you're playing.
  10. 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.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best 3DS Game of 2011
52
#52 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
18
#18 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 37
  3. Negative: 8 out of 37
  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.… Full Review »
  2. Inny74
    Dec 13, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link 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.    … Full Review »
  3. Cccatch
    Sep 29, 2022
    0
    The Run doesn't have the structure or production values to carry off its concept. Even if it did, its successes would be smothered by aThe Run doesn't have the structure or production values to carry off its concept. Even if it did, its successes would be smothered by a procession of awful technical flaws. Lacking charm and polish, only the Need For Speed name will sell the game – which will no doubt mean that it fares well enough. But in a year that has seen gaming's biggest franchises one-upping each 
other and demanding players' attention like never before, The Run simply doesn't cut it.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »