Need for Speed: Shift

 PSP
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  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.
  5. Multiplayer.it
    72
    The PSP version of Need for Speed SHIFT remains anchored in the classic style of the series. The driving model is arcade, with very few concessions to realism. The number of cars is not very high, but the prizes system works good as usual: you can unlock upgrades and extras if you keep driving the same car.
  6. Vandal
    70
    The problem is that Bright Light has not succeeded to surprise us just like the "big version" of Need for Speed has, and Shift for PSP is an arcade game, enjoyable during some time, but not special at all.
  7. Everyeye.it
    70
    An arcade racing with an incredible number of game modes.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. PSFocus
    60
    The PlayStation 3 version is great, the PlayStation Portable version isn’t. It is at no point better and the graphics are really basic, including the audio. The gameplay isn’t really spectacular. If you got the PlayStation 3 version or can’t choose between them: the PlayStation 3 version a lot better.
  11. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    60
    The PSP effort really could've used a little more of the full-sized version's actual evolution. [Dec 2009, p.81]
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  12. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    60
    Just not very good. [Christmas 2009, p.116]
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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

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 45
  3. Negative: 12 out of 45
  1. 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.    … Full Review »
  2. The_D4RknesS
    Feb 16, 2023
    7
    it's not the best game but I like this version, it reminds me of BURNOUT when the car crashes
  3. Grabuss
    Nov 24, 2022
    6
    I had a fine experience with this version, but there are many issues with this game.. The AI sometimes is rubberbanding so hard that it's notI had a fine experience with this version, but there are many issues with this game.. The AI sometimes is rubberbanding so hard that it's not even funny anymore, but rather very annoying. The handling is not amazing at all, but bad (drifting is way worse). The collision detector is not good either, car sounds are okay, track designs are fine (unless we are talking about San Francisco, the road design is horrendous!!) car list is fine and events are fine. Another thing is that the vibe is too similar to Pro Street (PC), I'd rather have a more serious vibe like in the NFS shift PC version.… Full Review »
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