Need for Speed: Nitro

 Wii
Need for Speed: Nitro Image
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

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  • Summary: Boasting support for the Wii Remote, Nunchuk, racing wheel, classic controller, GameCube controller and DS stylus, Need for Speed NITRO lets players decide exactly how they want to dominate the competition. For the ultimate bragging rights, gamers can’t just win the race, they must own it.Boasting support for the Wii Remote, Nunchuk, racing wheel, classic controller, GameCube controller and DS stylus, Need for Speed NITRO lets players decide exactly how they want to dominate the competition. For the ultimate bragging rights, gamers can’t just win the race, they must own it. With a nearly limitless visual customization system, gamers can design a unique art style to attach to their ride. As they edge out competitors in driving finesse, their art will overtake the world, vibrantly painting the story of racing supremacy. All this combined with fresh modes, tracks and exotic real world locations make Need for Speed NITRO one of the most exciting, heart-pounding arcade racers for the Wii and Nintendo DS. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 41
  3. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. GamePro
    80
    Something else that blindsided me was the killer sense of speed. Dropping behind the wheel of a Charger or Cobra for a quick race was immediately satisfying and while NITRO definitely suffers from low-res car models and building textures, that doesn't stop the game from feeling frighteningly fast.
  2. NintendoWorldReport
    80
    Need for Speed: Nitro is, for the most part, a fantastic racing game for the Wii. The art style looks fantastic on the system, the varied control options are great, and the gameplay is fast-paced and entertaining. Sadly, it awkwardly straddles the line between zany arcade racing game and super-serious simulation game, wasting a lot of potential in the process with conservative items and unused 'boss' characters.
  3. GameFocus
    77
    For the first Wii-specific racer by EA, Need for Speed Nitro is a step in the right direction. The only major factors that hold it back from absolute greatness are the repetitive career mode and lack of online play.
  4. Kombo
    70
    As far as arcade racers on the Wii go, Need for Speed: Nitro isn't a bad experience.
  5. GameDaily
    70
    EA's latest Need For Speed effort on Wii would've benefited from online play and several more tracks and cars. As it stands, however, Nitro is an enthralling racing game, with plenty of rubber-burning action for you and your friends.
  6. Gaming Age
    67
    There's not enough content here to keep me satisfied, and the difficulty is far too light for my current tastes. It might hold over the younger gamers out there, but for those of us in our 20's and so on, you'll quickly realize that Nitro is a little too light on content to keep you entertained for long.
  7. Gameplayer Sweden
    40
    It shows that this game is specifically made for the Wii and they try hard at making it look like a kid for the younger crowd. But basically it all just falls flat down on the ground with only a few things that make you want to play the game longer than 15 minutes.

See all 41 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. ASGaming21
    Jul 17, 2016
    10
    EA have done a great job with this game. Definitely the best Need for Speed game on the Wii. The career and multiplayer are the best modesEA have done a great job with this game. Definitely the best Need for Speed game on the Wii. The career and multiplayer are the best modes I've played in the game. Also the soundtrack is great as well. I would recommend getting this game… Expand
  2. SteveW
    Nov 3, 2009
    10
    finally they focused on reliable gameplay. but I know the wii can do better graphics than this, so I'm a little disappointed. I still finally they focused on reliable gameplay. but I know the wii can do better graphics than this, so I'm a little disappointed. I still like the last one the best in the entire series, although too bad it glitches occasionally. With Nitro they got the engine solid as a rock, and it feels really fast which is great!… Expand
  4. DrifterKidZ
    Aug 13, 2018
    10
    Best racing game on Wii beside Mario Kart Wii. Visuals very eye catching, a great list of licensed cars, good handling, & sick racingBest racing game on Wii beside Mario Kart Wii. Visuals very eye catching, a great list of licensed cars, good handling, & sick racing soundtrack. Although the tracks can be described as few, the layouts are fun to race to plus the thrill of getting chased by cops either by giving them attention to you or get bribed by AIs/friends. Own it is a revolutionary/fresh idea from the series and intrigues you to lead first place more and more. Despite the mixed reviews from journalist, NFS Nitro is a successfull NFS title for the Wii. It may caters way more to young audience than people who prefer simulation or less pop culture based… Expand
  5. ColinB.B.
    Dec 20, 2009
    8
    I agree with the previous comments that the graphics are not that great even though the game is quite enjoyable on multiple aspects. As a I agree with the previous comments that the graphics are not that great even though the game is quite enjoyable on multiple aspects. As a rendering engineer I feel the art direction could have been more focus and synergestic with the rest of the gameplay. Still the fact that they support up to five control schemes make this game great.… Expand
  6. OMultiwaifu
    Dec 20, 2020
    8
    It's the best arcade Racing game of Wii that i saw! Just had to has more tracks and cars on it
  7. gold
    Mar 28, 2018
    8
    прикольно, яркая графика, но недостаточно
  8. Meta1234
    Apr 21, 2018
    3
    They tried to make a cool Need for Speed out of the Wii controls, but the game turned out to be totally mediocre and even lower than that.They tried to make a cool Need for Speed out of the Wii controls, but the game turned out to be totally mediocre and even lower than that.

    Lots of criticism goes to the unbalanced progression difficulty. At one point I got stuck and this was one of the few games that I gave up without completing. Not that there was any story progression to go along with the races anyway.

    For me it is a 3. Nothing new in any game category except for mediocre controls.    … Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Best Wii Game of 2009
25
#25 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2009
24
#24 Most Shared Wii Game of 2009