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. 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.
  2. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    The sense of speed is superb, particularly with the visual assistance. [Feb 2004, p.73]
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  3. 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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  5. 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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