Need for Speed: The Run

 3DS
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
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  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 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 ForThis 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. 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
  3. 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 igual es un buen juego
  4. 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, 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    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, 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
  5. 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 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 andThe 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.… Expand

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  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]
  3. Games Master UK
    Dec 17, 2011
    71
    It packs a considerable amount of content into that tiny cartridge. [Jan 2012, p.98]
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