Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2

 GameCube
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Killer aerial shots, intense chases, and a rock-infused soundtrack make for a heart-pounding ride. [18 Oct 2002, p.124]
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  2. Nintendo Power
    82
    Packs in lots of game play and replay value, with dozens of challenges set in beautiful locations. [Nov 2002, p.219]
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  3. BBC Sport
    80
    With plenty of racing challenges it should have a decent amount of longevity but their repetitive nature might grate for some.
  5. GameZone
    75
    The sluggish pace may be a bit too much for gamers who need a fast and furious racing game, but those with the patience to get past the speed issue will find a good arcade-style racer with some great ideas.
  6. Game Informer
    75
    The graphics are great and the only deterrents are some questionable physics and the idea that a cop could catch me in my Opal. [Nov 2002, p.134]
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  7. Nintendophiles
    75
    The amount of events available makes for a busy amount of things to do, with a great multiplayer mode to complement it. The control can sometimes be a bit tight though.
  8. IGN
    73
    While I appreciate the car and track diversity in Hot Pursuit 2, the sluggish pace of it and sticky framerate heavily detracts from the overall experience, which doesn't bode well for the two-player value either.
  9. GameSpot
    72
    The Xbox and GameCube versions of Hot Pursuit II have slightly detuned graphics and mushier controls, and, inexplicably, they omit a variety of minute but tangible features found in the PlayStation 2 game.
  10. GameCube Europe
    72
    Although it has more than its fair share of good points, Need for Speed 2 should have been so much more and you can't help but come back to that annoying frame rate.
  11. GameSpy
    69
    A disappointment when held up against its nearly peerless PlayStation 2 counterpart.
  12. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    65
    It feels more like a Sunday drive down a busy city street... Go straight for the PS2 game. It's far and away the best of the three. [Nov 2002, p.306]
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  13. netjak
    60
    Does Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 deliver an exciting, high-octane console racing experience? Yes, if you own a PS2.
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  14. Yahoo!
    60
    At the core of any racing game should be the feeling of fast movement, and the Gameube version just doesn't seem to deliver in this regard.
  15. Gaming Age
    58
    The GameCube version's tracks aren't as vibrant as PS2 or Xbox, and this is a bit of a puzzle. Blurry backgrounds hurt Nintendo's offering severely, but not as bad as the chuggy, sluggish framerate.
  16. TotalGames.net
    53
    The most obvious problem is the handling, which feels more like you’re controlling a breezeblock than a car, and this carries right through to the crash dynamics, which are now virtually non-existent.
  17. GamePro
    50
    This unfortunate version of HP2 is just plain slow and its handling just doesn’t feel right. If possible, stick with the stellar PS2 edition or the strong Xbox game.

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best GameCube Game of 2002
31
#31 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002
49
#49 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. GlennLosio
    May 13, 2023
    10
    This Game is also fantastic I played it before but still couldn't beat the levels It was totally awesome and totally cool that this Game isThis Game is also fantastic I played it before but still couldn't beat the levels It was totally awesome and totally cool that this Game is the best racing game I ever played before.… Full Review »
  2. Rorian7
    Sep 25, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. My first contact with Need for speed hot pursuit 2 was the gc version. Not the best, but still very fun.… Full Review »
  3. PizzaSubCombo
    Oct 18, 2019
    4
    With development of the Gamecube, PC, and Xbox versions handed off to EA Seattle, the results do not receive a passing grade. Tracks have beenWith development of the Gamecube, PC, and Xbox versions handed off to EA Seattle, the results do not receive a passing grade. Tracks have been redesigned to be more technical than necessary, the handling model takes a more realistic approach - leaving many cars simply not feeling fast enough - and there's a tangible layer of input lag to the controls that makes the Gamecube variant feel like a budget-priced knockoff. Development of the series was handed over to BlackBox for good reason; this one doesn't make the cut.… Full Review »
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