Need for Speed Carbon

 PlayStation 3
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
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  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. 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 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.… Expand
  2. Sjgphoto
    Jan 29, 2007
    1
    Very repetitive. No feeling of accomplishment when finished. Also, there was nothing challenging to this racer. Yuk!
  3. Braders790
    Oct 7, 2011
    8
    This game is by far not realistic at all, but that is a good thing. The cars are easy to drive, the races are fun, the customization is endless. This game really hits the spot. lots of people are saying how the graphics are straight out of PS2 game, WELL THEY'RE NOT, the graphics are just as good as any other PS3 car game.

    The gameplay is fun and some of the boss races are hard but you    This game is by far not realistic at all, but that is a good thing. The cars are easy to drive, the races are fun, the customization is endless. This game really hits the spot. lots of people are saying how the graphics are straight out of PS2 game, WELL THEY'RE NOT, the graphics are just as good as any other PS3 car game.

    The gameplay is fun and some of the boss races are hard but you get through them eventually.

    Overall the game is worth a buy as nowadays its only about £10 on amazon    … Expand
  4. 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 cars were great, customization was unreal. All around amazing game.
  5. 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 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 openMake 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.… Expand
  6. JakeA.
    Dec 23, 2006
    7
    Very good game fun very hard there fun hard then there is just anoying hard and thats what this is after a while.
  7. [Anonymous]
    Nov 20, 2006
    10
    This is the best Need for Speed game in the series in my opinion. Superb graphics, superb gameplay.
  8. deed
    Feb 18, 2008
    9
    Just completed it 8-) & it has just the right mix of frustration and variety to keep coming back. I thought that features like the autosculpt were a bit over the top & gimmicky - but i guess the boy racers might like 'em but had no effect on handling. Wide range of cars to progress through, different race styles, drafting (esp. Canyon) takes a bit of practice and the cop pusuits can Just completed it 8-) & it has just the right mix of frustration and variety to keep coming back. I thought that features like the autosculpt were a bit over the top & gimmicky - but i guess the boy racers might like 'em but had no effect on handling. Wide range of cars to progress through, different race styles, drafting (esp. Canyon) takes a bit of practice and the cop pusuits can be frustrating but overall probably the bast racer that I have played. I would love the next one in the series to make better use of the PS3 Graphics but ant the end of the day its the racing that counts.… Expand
  9. Me
    Dec 27, 2006
    7
    Its a typical need for speed game, expected a little more from the next gen, but graphics are amazing and in the coming year or two we should start seeing why the PS3 was worth the extra cash as game writers learn how much more in depth they can go with a blue laser.
  10. panther4000
    Dec 26, 2011
    0
    very bad game , terrible controls and unreal handling. Parts are too expensive and cops are way too hard. Not a very good game in my opinion. Don't get it .
  11. Steyraus
    Jan 27, 2021
    9
    Great frames, hot chicks, bullet time, aswome city, one of the greats from the golden age.
  12. Luka2425
    Aug 1, 2015
    8
    Need for speed Carbon in one word is: Fun! This game may not be the most realistic racing game by all means but that's okay and that's what makes Need for Speed Carbon a legitimately fun game and that fun lasts all the way to the end. The cars are very easy to drive, no real learning curve whatsoever, and there are many customizations to all the different cars in the game. In the end, it'sNeed for speed Carbon in one word is: Fun! This game may not be the most realistic racing game by all means but that's okay and that's what makes Need for Speed Carbon a legitimately fun game and that fun lasts all the way to the end. The cars are very easy to drive, no real learning curve whatsoever, and there are many customizations to all the different cars in the game. In the end, it's a good racing game and for the price nowadays, anybody who enjoys racing games should pick this up!… Expand
  13. David_Kappa
    May 28, 2017
    9
    I really liked that they came with this idea of making your own crew , but most of the time your crew member you chose to join you in the race is useless. He doesn't want to be in first place in order to help you and that's a little bit frustrating
  14. infraRecon
    Mar 17, 2023
    8
    My review just got erased, so I'll just sum it up here, this game created my love for the NFS franchise, and this game is still the Best NFS game to exist, Unbound is close but just lacks personality.
    I've played CARBON more than 20x. This game deserves a Remake, just like Most Wanted and Underground.
    This is the Darksouls of the franchise.
  15. Jaidenbrkl1
    Mar 30, 2023
    8
    Great graphics, a confusing mess of a story, and of course, the racing aspect is great for a Need for Speed game like this.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. IGN
    79
    An overall fun racing game, though in large part it's simply more of the same from EA. Cars still feel too similar to each other, and as they're the stars of any racing game, we wish there was a bit more character here. Autosculpt is a fantastic addition to the series' already great customization features.
    Read full review
  2. GamesRadar+
    80
    And gameplay wise, so what if Carbon isn't redefining the street racing genre - really, at this point, what could? It still hits a sweet spot of intensity, danger, and style.
    Read full review
  3. Cheat Code Central
    86
    Though not a “graphical” enhancement in the truest sense, EA’s Autosculpting mode is the Tiger Woods “Gameface” of racing games. By allowing gamers to adjust nearly everything on their car, from the width of the spoiler to the height of the blower on that ’69 Charger, Carbon allows gamers to truly make their ride their own.
    Read full review
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