Need for Speed: Shift

 PSP
Need for Speed: Shift Image
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 45 Ratings

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  • Summary: Need for Speed SHIFT brings a true driver's experience to some of the world's most iconic racing tracks, including the storied Brand's Hatch in the UK. The game also features the largest roster of high-performance cars in Need for Speed history including race cars such as the Pagani Zonda F,Need for Speed SHIFT brings a true driver's experience to some of the world's most iconic racing tracks, including the storied Brand's Hatch in the UK. The game also features the largest roster of high-performance cars in Need for Speed history including race cars such as the Pagani Zonda F, Porsche 911 GT2 and Lotus Elise. Players are thrust into the loud, intense, and athletic experience of racing a car from the driver's perspective through the combination of perception based G-forces, the hyper reality of the cockpit view, and the all-new brutally disorienting crash dynamic. Need for Speed SHIFT features an accurate, accessible physics-based driving model that allows you to feel every impact, every change of track surface and every last bit of grip as you push yourself to the edge. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Cheat Code Central
    90
    If it's fast-paced racing you crave, and you don't care about adjusting every nut and bolt on your car, then Shift is an excellent game that exceeds expectations in all areas.
  2. GamingXP
    79
    An amazing game that is as the other games of the Need for Speed series well established. There is always something new you can discover and there are always new cars, which are waiting to be driven.
  3. GameFocus
    78
    Although the game carries the name SHIFT, don’t expect a faithful simulation replica of the console version. While it’s not your perfect racer, it packs enough punch to entertain you at a reasonable price. Now, if you have played Gran Turismo, you might see it as a huge backward step but let’s be reasonable here…EA Bright Light didn’t took five years to develop this one.
  4. Everyeye.it
    70
    An arcade racing with an incredible number of game modes.
  5. 3DJuegos
    66
    Need for Speed Shift for PSP is a different game compared with the other versions. This time the game offers a full arcade style. The long career mode is a little restrictive but it has a great variety in races. It has some problems issues in the gameplay, with only 15 circuits a little repetitive. A little better than the last NFS: Undercover version on PSP but still so far of the best games in this genre like Gran Turismo or Midnight Club L.A Remix.
  6. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    60
    Just not very good. [Christmas 2009, p.116]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. IGN
    60
    It also runs really well, which is always a plus. However, the bottlenecked career mode is way too restrictive, and since you can't really control what cars you earn, it just feels like you're going through the paces after a short while.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. putinzdohne
    Oct 7, 2022
    10
    An amazing game that is as the other games of the Need for Speed series well established. There is always something new you can discover andAn amazing game that is as the other games of the Need for Speed series well established. There is always something new you can discover and there are always new cars, which are waiting to be driven.… Expand
  2. DavanteN
    Dec 30, 2009
    10
    I love this game!Mostly for the exotic cars.This game aslo have great graphics and the cars in this game are really fast.and easy to drive.i I love this game!Mostly for the exotic cars.This game aslo have great graphics and the cars in this game are really fast.and easy to drive.i learned from playing Gran Turismo 5 Prolouge… Expand
  4. BS
    Sep 26, 2009
    9
    Ok, first of all this is not a simulation game like its console brothers. It's an arcade game that fits quite well into the handheld Ok, first of all this is not a simulation game like its console brothers. It's an arcade game that fits quite well into the handheld pick-up and play for 10 minutes scenario yet substantial enough to play for 5 hours straight. The graphics are pretty good, almost as good as Midnight Club LA Remix's, the only downside being that it users sprites for trees and spectators and cars do not have translucent windows (no biggie really). The car customization is "streamlined", meaning that you have no input into deciding what gets updated, the game will reward you with engine, turbo, tires, body and custom vynils. There are certainly less customization options than previous NFS games but they do offer a slight performance boost for your car. Speaking of cars, it boasts the new VW Scirocco, Lotus Exige S, Acura NSX, Audi R8, Porsche Cayman S, Ford GT, Porsche Carrera GT, Aston Martin DBR9, Lambos, Zonda F, Koenigsegg CCX, BMW M3 GT2 and Bugatti Veyron (yes!). 26 cars in total. They all sound nice, different and real-like and the sountrack is one of the best i've seen in a racing game. It's slightly reduced from the console version but the 5 or so tracks that were removed were awful, so i see that as a benefit. Plus it has custom soundtracks, it will play whatever mp3's you have on your stick (if you do, that is :D). The gameplay is tight, pretty easy at times but very challenging at parts, perfect to get you hooked. It will last you for 15 to 20 hours, so it's pretty short but it does have some replay value if you try to unlock the upgrades for your favourite cars. Overall, a solid 9 due to being slightly short and only 7 cities with various track variations (short, standard, extended, and two sprints). But a really good racing game and thumbs up for the weather variations.… Expand
  5. DJAtomika
    Jun 7, 2018
    7
    Solid porting with lot of cars and almost every song from the original OST. But graphics are terrible (even for PSP) and the top 10 driversSolid porting with lot of cars and almost every song from the original OST. But graphics are terrible (even for PSP) and the top 10 drivers are a fake mix between Pro Street racers and others.
    The game is saved by a good variety of tracks and challenging other 7 cars in the same race.    … Expand
  6. CypriotBall60
    May 20, 2023
    7
    It was an all right game tbh, it takes assets from NFS ProStreet in terms of progression and race kings/queens and Burnout Dominator in termsIt was an all right game tbh, it takes assets from NFS ProStreet in terms of progression and race kings/queens and Burnout Dominator in terms of Brake2Drift mechanic.

    It has quite good tracks but gets boring overtime and repetitive with these tracks, and also it has 25 cars, which is not much.

    In conclusion: It was a bit-mid game without cockpit view because the PSP can't handle much of its graphics.    … Expand
  7. McFranz
    Oct 29, 2013
    6
    Cool fast-paced game, this PSP game is actually cool (don't let the negative ratings fool you, this game is actually cool as hell.).

    Need    Cool fast-paced game, this PSP game is actually cool (don't let the negative ratings fool you, this game is actually cool as hell.).

    Need for Speed: Shift is a great game where you can have fun for a few minutes if you're waiting for something or if you just want to sit back, relax and play Need for Speed: Shift.    … Expand
  8. Courteouspunk
    Sep 19, 2009
    3
    I am quoting right from the PSP game's description:

    "Players are thrust into the loud, intense, and athletic experience of racing a    I am quoting right from the PSP game's description:

    "Players are thrust into the loud, intense, and athletic experience of racing a car from the driver's perspective through the combination of perception based G-forces, the hyper reality of the cockpit view, and the all-new brutally disorienting crash dynamic."

    There is NO COCKPIT VIEW on the PSP. We have all played this game before. There is nothing new.    … Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best PSP Game of 2009
13
#13 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2009
39
#39 Most Shared PSP Game of 2009