Need for Speed Carbon

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
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  1. GameSpot
    74
    Even though the wingman mechanics and canyon races don't quite pan out, it's still a stylish and enjoyable street racer.
  2. GameSpy
    70
    There's not much here to differentiate the PS3 version from current-gen consoles besides the sweet high-resolution graphics (and in the case of the Xbox 360, not even that), but if you have a PS3, there are worse games you could play on it.
  3. 1UP
    70
    You steer with the analog stick like normal, but then you can tilt the controller in a tight turn for a tiny bit of extra turning boost. And that's just dumb. It's like adding a "turn harder!" button that hardly does anything anyway.
  5. VideoGamer
    70
    The blurring is the biggest offender, causing the backgrounds to lose all detail, and the wake left by each car looks considerably worse than in the 360 version.
  6. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    70
    Back out on the streets and nothing much has changed. Eyes forward, pedal down. [May 2007, p.94]
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  7. PALGN
    70
    Not a huge improvement over previous versions, with only a few minor additions, a few new vehicles and a new setting.
  8. Gaming Age
    67
    An intuitive lobby system and latency-free online play are the only missing ingredients that keep Need for Speed: Carbon from being recognized as an excellent gaming package.
  9. Pure Magazine UK
    60
    A competent racer, but all the fun seems to have been sucked out of the series since "Most Wanted." [Apr 2007, p.56]
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  10. AceGamez
    60
    The frankly terrible graphics will ruin the experience for some gamers and at the very least will disappoint.
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  11. PSM3 Magazine UK
    58
    Get the decent PS2 version instead and save your money for a real next-gen racer. [Jan 2007, p.76]
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best PS3 Game of 2006
7
#7 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2006
4
#4 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 75
  3. Negative: 7 out of 75
  1. Andyman
    Dec 8, 2006
    4
    Maybe EA called this 'Carbon' because it's very much a carbon copy of Underground 2... only it's not a good copy at all. Maybe EA called this 'Carbon' because it's very much a carbon copy of Underground 2... only it's not a good copy at all. They were on to something with Most Wanted, but for some odd reason decided to ditch it in favor of regressing 5 years. Here's hoping next year will bring a worthy NFS sequel. Oh, and disregard the 'review' below, the only 10 this game will ever see is its $10 bargain bin pricetag, very soon.… Full Review »
  2. gregthreet
    Sep 2, 2012
    6
    Make a game with an amazing open world, give it some shiny graphics and you know it will get positive comments. This is the case for Need forMake a game with an amazing open world, give it some shiny graphics and you know it will get positive comments. This is the case for Need for Speed Carbon. Only one or two elements really let this down. For one, the story. Which is crap, as you expect with any racing game, but the characters as well are just poor. The "crew" element also feels bland. Luckily the gameplay, graphics and open world pick the whole experience up. Its a joy to start police chases and to race around the city. This alone makes up for all the annoying characters and the "story". Its a good game but its not great. If you want an amazing open world racing game I recommend Burnout Paradise. But you can probably pick this up for very little money now so this is a suitable fix if your low on cash.… Full Review »
  3. usslaver
    Dec 26, 2011
    10
    Amazing game. Probably the only racing game ever created worth playing. It had great handling and a great backstory behind the game. The carsAmazing game. Probably the only racing game ever created worth playing. It had great handling and a great backstory behind the game. The cars were great, customization was unreal. All around amazing game.… Full Review »
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