Need for Speed: Underground

 PC
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. Warcry
    91
    One of the most entertaining racing experiences ever, as was expected. Racing underground has been done before, but this game does it right. If you liked other NFS games, you will definitely love this installment.
  2. Computer Gaming World
    90
    Racing doesn't get much better...unless you're in a real car. [Mar 2004, p.75]
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  3. Yahoo!
    90
    That break-the-mold game that longtime players of the franchise have been waiting for. And if you're already a street-rag reader, you have permission and reason to drool - just keep it off the AirFlow controller, please.
  5. GMR Magazine
    90
    Combining the reckless, breakneck speed and high-impact collisions of Burnout with the neon-tipped street culture of "Fast and the Furious" (and, more specifically, "Midnight Club II"), Underground is the new definition of white-knuckle.
  6. IGN
    90
    But the real kicker here, and the focus of the whole experience, is customizing your ride. If you're not into that element, don't go out and try to buy this as a stand-alone racer. You really have to be dedicated to the car creation, and you have to have the patience for it.
  7. 1UP
    90
    This is the best arcade racer on the market today. It's the best one in years.
  8. PC Gameworld
    89
    A great game that offers tons of options for customizing your ride, and a solid arcade racing experience. If you love cars, and long to build a custom car of your own, then this game is perfect for you.
  9. GameBiz
    88
    Not only does it have 20 of the hottest cars in the world, but customizing them is THE game. Need for Speed: Underground sets a new standard for racing games.
  10. PC Gamer
    88
    Although the vehicle dynamics are still conspicuously slot-car like, the game itself is easily one of the finest EA has ever produced. [Jan 2004, p.118]
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  11. Gamer's Hell
    86
    A great mixture of arcade racing, with a twist of simulation - and a lot of modifying.
  12. Computer Games Online RO
    85
    The big difference between this and "Midnight Club 2" is that the second one stunned me while I expected more from such a fine producer like EA.
  13. GameSpy
    85
    It lacks some major features you'd expect, but this arcade racer still offers an immersive career mode, a beautiful presentation, and an insane sense of speed.
  14. AtomicGamer
    84
    A few moderately big shortcomings aside, Need for Speed: Underground is a solid racing game with an easy learning curve, arcade-like racing, online play, great graphics, and a distinct style.
  15. Worth Playing
    83
    If EA paid as much attention to the career mode and track layout that they spent on graphics and sound, this game would have been the racing game to get.
  16. GameShark
    81
    Surprisingly addictive, though incredibly frustrating at later stages in the game.
  17. GameZone
    81
    While it might not be perfect, Need for Speed Underground is an impressive racing game, packed full of bonuses that will keep you playing for days.
  18. GameSpot
    80
    With just a bit more variety to its tracks and a slightly better career mode, it definitely could have been better, but it has great graphics, solid sound, and the sort of easy learning curve that makes it a driving game that anyone can excel at.
  19. CPUGamer
    80
    Online drift mode is very popular, and if you happen to find someone in there with the name RedStarAcura behind an Impreza, he will not back down to any challenge!
  20. ActionTrip
    80
    It sounds and looks beautiful - the cars and backgrounds are superb looking, and the THX certificate ensures that the audio experience is top-notch...On the other hand, the game lacks a more innovative and involving track design, which makes the actual racing and the map layout a tad too repetitive at times.
  21. Game Revolution
    75
    An uneven mixture of gorgeous graphics, upgradeable street racing vehicles, variety of race modes, unique customization, lack of opposition, repetitive tracks, and no law enforcement presence... Involving and fun, although not quite as engrossing as "NFS:HP2."
  22. Computer and Video Games
    70
    The drag racing sections truly capture the magic of the recent The Fast And The Furious flicks, and these one-on-one cock-fights make for a refreshing change after endless laps of spittle-covered urban wasteland.
  23. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    The sense of speed is superb, particularly with the visual assistance. [Feb 2004, p.73]
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  24. Edge Magazine
    70
    Beautifully detailed with impressive lighting, accurately modelled protagonists and a terrific sense of speed. A refreshing and captivating direction for the series. [Christmas 2003, p.115]
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  25. games(TM)
    50
    Boy racers will love Underground's edgy urban chic, otherwise you should stick with the less fashionable but ultimately more enjoyable "Burnout 2." [Christmas 2003, p.125]
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Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best PC Game of 2003
12
#12 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
43
#43 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 644 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 519 out of 644
  2. Mixed: 99 out of 644
  3. Negative: 26 out of 644
  1. Luka0101998
    Jun 1, 2016
    10
    My all time favorite game.
    I love cars thanks to nfs !
    10/10 without thinking No Need for Speed game will ever be better that Underground    My all time favorite game.
    I love cars thanks to nfs !
    10/10 without thinking
    No Need for Speed game will ever be better that Underground in any way.Even if the game has no free roam i still absolutely love it .    … Full Review »
  2. natanfk
    Feb 16, 2017
    6
    I loved this game when I was a kid, but when I went to play it now again, I see how it has SERIOUS flaws.

    The good parts: Control of the    I loved this game when I was a kid, but when I went to play it now again, I see how it has SERIOUS flaws.

    The good parts: Control of the car is nice, the graphics were cool by the time being, and the car tuning is very varied and cool. There is a decent amount of cars to chose, and there was a sense of progression on the races, opponents keep getting better and better. The sounds are really good and it has totally a "fast and furious" vibe.

    The bad parts: The worst part are the car crashes. It's absurd. The minimal hit will make your car go flying around, and it would be ok if the same happened to the AI, but the AI really CHEATS when there is a car crash. I saw an AI hitting a car on the front, and just went under it and kept going at full speed. It's very unfair, and most of the time you won't win or lose races by skill, but by pure luck, because cars appear out of nowhere just to hit you. Also, the game has a lot of glitches for those who try to play with a joystick, it keeps changing the controls and the camera shifts if you press brake for too long.
    Also, although there is a sense of progression while racing, there is no progression on cars. The car you get at the beginning of the game is better than most cars you unlock as you win races. And the tracks are VERY repetitive, you'll be running 111 races on the same tracks over and over again.
    Another bad thing is that you can only have one car. Which sucks, because there are some cars that are outstanding for races but suck at drifting.

    Overall, the game is only "meh". I was looking for nostalgia and got anger instead.    … Full Review »
  3. rahulkadukar
    Mar 17, 2012
    6
    The first Need For Speed game which has decent graphics and a good storyline. I think the progress system in this game is pretty slow you getThe first Need For Speed game which has decent graphics and a good storyline. I think the progress system in this game is pretty slow you get to all Level 3 upgrades after playing more than 80% of the career mode which is kind of slow. Apart from that good gameplay but gets kind of repetitive and the overall size of the city is pretty small. It feels like racing on the same tracks over and over again.… Full Review »
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