Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City

 PSP
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 63
  3. Negative: 8 out of 63
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  1. sinadoom
    Oct 18, 2011
    3
    Frankly this is a patrhetic game compared to Most Wanted because it's on PSP. The online multiplayer is unacceptably laggy. Single player races are boring and not challenging or fun. The cars, soundtrack, customisation etc. all suck. Then again, it is a portable game. It would be unreasonable to expect game developers to make a good game for a PSP. Now that IS impossible.
  2. AllSp33d
    Oct 7, 2013
    6
    Some people may say this game is good but i'm here to say that the driving physics are very strange. I don't think the tires have grip.. you just slide around. But if you are a person that isn't a racing fan, this game may be for you.
  3. brendo214
    May 21, 2019
    8
    Need For Speed Carbon: Own the City looked and played surprisingly well for a PSP game.
  4. YouKey
    Jul 5, 2021
    10
    The best arcade racing game on PSP! Cool plot, graphics, physics and a lot of content!
  5. CineAutoctono
    Dec 23, 2017
    3
    "Need for Speed: Carbon" was a horrible game, although the design was well done, the gameplay is pessimistic, I dropped the car and it always crashes. Horrible and Pathetic.
  6. LukeY.
    Jan 6, 2007
    10
    Its the best NFS game I ever played. I love the story line, which is different form all other systems, it really adds a nice touch. I also love the ending. It was a prefect game, but, they left out two very important thing, spinners, and neon underglow.
  7. KevinT.
    Feb 7, 2008
    5
    It's an okay.. game but u know midnight club 3 for psp is much better than nfs carbon own the city midnight club 3 gives much more details on the cars and has much better cars. Get midnight club 3 insted of nfs carbon own the city if I were u!!!
  8. Steve
    Nov 2, 2006
    10
    This game is undoubtedly the best NFS so far - they just keep getting better, and this version has made a huge leap in my mind with the inclusion of the open world. For a portable racer to have such a vast, open driving experience.. it's just a fantastic experience finally being free of track loading times!
  9. Roma
    Nov 5, 2006
    4
    I still think that that Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition is much better,just think about it NFS has 1 unknown town with streets like a racing tracks,Midnight Club has 3 proper city's(4 if you play Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition Remix),NFS has around 20 cars,Midnight Club has more then 50 cars(every on of them can be customized)+choppers,suvs,police cars and sport bikes.NFS limited amount of I still think that that Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition is much better,just think about it NFS has 1 unknown town with streets like a racing tracks,Midnight Club has 3 proper city's(4 if you play Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition Remix),NFS has around 20 cars,Midnight Club has more then 50 cars(every on of them can be customized)+choppers,suvs,police cars and sport bikes.NFS limited amount of customizations,Midnight Club has thousands and thousands of different customizations from vanils to rims. So if you are thinking of buying Need For Speed Carbon, think again!… Expand
  10. masterchief101
    Jun 6, 2007
    10
    I think that nfscown the city is one of the best nfs games. it has awsome graphics for a handheld and has alot of customization varriations. you can name your crew customize your crew and u dont have crew members in midnightclub dub edition. you have a limited # of NOS on dub edition, on carbon your NOS grows back for the things u do. also, you dont get lost on the races and you can get I think that nfscown the city is one of the best nfs games. it has awsome graphics for a handheld and has alot of customization varriations. you can name your crew customize your crew and u dont have crew members in midnightclub dub edition. you have a limited # of NOS on dub edition, on carbon your NOS grows back for the things u do. also, you dont get lost on the races and you can get chased by the cops.… Expand
  11. AlexA.
    Nov 10, 2006
    10
    This is indeed the best racing game in the PSP up to date. Having crews you recruited and doing whatever it can to help you behind your back in races is superb. The career mode story is very compelling. The style of the game, the cars, the improved bodykits and lastly, the city open driving experience are exceptional! Impressive leap from MW. Definitely a must have for the PSP!
  12. MichaelL.
    Dec 28, 2006
    10
    A great game once cars have been unlocked. I will be posting a savegame on this game soon, 100% complete w/ all cars.
  13. JohnY
    Jul 13, 2008
    10
    Pretty sick game. I just bought a psp and this to go along with it because I have it for 360. I also bought 3 other games and i found myself playing only this one. this game is awesome and is a great crossover from the console edition. Worth buying!
  14. gamingisgreat
    Aug 13, 2015
    3
    Poorly-made game,lack of content,god-awful handling physics,customization literally is the only good thing about this,a very disappointing NFS game for the PSP.
  15. DJAtomika
    Jun 7, 2018
    9
    This porting is really interesting: lovely storyline, IA level is pretty hard, new crews to challenge, new remixes from the original soundtrack. However the grafic is poor for PSP..
  16. sebastianali
    Apr 3, 2022
    6
    By far the best NFS game on PSP just by the simple fact that is not a broken mess and is enjoyable to a certain extent. Unfortunately it still feels like a rushed one and EA after this game started to be more lazy with their games. First of all, the story while interesting at first, the plot twist at the end is horrible, second, while the gameplay is refined enough, with varied game modes,By far the best NFS game on PSP just by the simple fact that is not a broken mess and is enjoyable to a certain extent. Unfortunately it still feels like a rushed one and EA after this game started to be more lazy with their games. First of all, the story while interesting at first, the plot twist at the end is horrible, second, while the gameplay is refined enough, with varied game modes, good variety of cars and good economy system the game gets repetitive and the team mechanic is broken since sometimes your team doesnt do anything and if one of them wins it counts as a loss, and for last the customization is very limited, even more than the OG MW.… Expand
  17. Grabuss
    Nov 24, 2022
    10
    The best PSP NFS game ever made. Nice graphics for a 2006 PSP game, the pursuit system is good, the physics are great, the story is amazing, customization is very good. What else do I have to say?
  18. Silv3rGT
    May 25, 2023
    10
    BEST NFS ON THE GO, SREWE MARIO KART ON DS, THIS GAME SHOULD BE ON TOP. Thank you

Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Best PSP Game of 2006
12
#12 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2006
29
#29 Most Shared PSP Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. IGN
    70
    Own the City simply feels like more of the same. Sure, there's an open city and wingmen that'll take out your opponents during a race, but neither of these are huge, game-changing additions.
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  2. GameZone
    72
    Sure it still is a fast and furious racing game with a lot to offer but this is stuff we’ve seen before.
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  3. GamesRadar+
    80
    We're definitely keen on the PSP version, serving up some solid racing fun that'll get your heart pumping and your fingers moving. Just be sure to get by with a little help from your friends.
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