Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012)

This isn't a game for racing sim purists. But with dozens of cars to unlock and plenty of tracks to race on, Need for Speed Most Wanted will satisfy anyone who loves cars and the sound of a roaring engine.

Sporting some of mobile racing's best graphics to date, a variety of powerful vehicles to unlock, and the menacing presence of "the law" to throw a monkey wrench into the standard racing formats, Need For Speed: Most Wanted not only plays fantastically, but looks great doing it.

One of the best racing games available on iOS, rivaled only by Firemint's own Real Racing series.

Even with the most critical of eyes, Need for Speed: Most Wanted is still easily one of the best racers on the platform to date. You would have to be crazy not to take this hot rod out for a nice long joy ride. EA and Firemonkey have once again re-defined what it means to play racing games on iOS.

While the lack of multiplayer is a huge shame, there's more than enough single player and social content in Need for Speed: Most Wanted to make it a must-buy.

An excellent and complete arcade racer. The short and intense races work great on the mobile platform. The many cars, challenging opponents and annoying police make sure you'll never have a moment of boredom. The only downside is that too much of the races are held on the same track.

All in all, it is a fun, fast-paced frenetic game.

The beauty is only skin deep in Need for Speed Most Wanted - sharp graphics and solid controls make it entertaining in short bursts, but those looking for a challenging ride and variety in their vehicles will be disappointed.

With gorgeous visuals and smooth controls, Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a great, if unsurprising, pick for your mobile racing needs.

If all you want is a visually stimulating arcade style racer, this Need For Speed checks the right boxes. Its price is a bit steep, at $9.99 and $6.99 for iOS and Android, respectively, but those willing to spend the cash shouldn't walk away disappointed. Penny pinchers, though, should give Gameloft's Asphalt 7: Heat a serious look, since it provides a similar experience for just $0.99.

It may not reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't do anything much wrong as such and if all you're looking for is a fix of speed, you won't be disappointed.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is one of the better arcade racing games in the App Store thanks to its fantastic graphics and smooth controls. It doesn't match its console siblings due to a lack of depth and expansiveness, but offers a relatively serious racing experience given its limited form.

Most Wanted on smartphones is a wonderful looking game that lacks some quality gameplay wise.

It alternates between frustrating and exhilarating. The courses all look incredible, but also all look the same.

Need for Speed Most Wanted Mobile is not as good as the console version. No free roaming and a clumsy control scheme: Real Racing is still the king on iOs and Android platforms.

If you can fight through the lack of variety and questionable design decisions, Most Wanted mobile is decent little companion to the full retail release. It might not be the best racing game on the mobile market, but if you're hurting for virtual driving on the go, you should think about picking it up.