Need for Speed Carbon

 Xbox 360
Need for Speed Carbon Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 109 Ratings

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  • Summary: What starts in the city is settled in the canyons as Need for Speed Carbon immerses you into the world's most dangerous and adrenaline-filled form of street racing. You and your crew must race in an all-out war for the city, risking everything to take over your rivals' neighborhoods oneWhat starts in the city is settled in the canyons as Need for Speed Carbon immerses you into the world's most dangerous and adrenaline-filled form of street racing. You and your crew must race in an all-out war for the city, risking everything to take over your rivals' neighborhoods one block at a time. As the police turn up the heat, the battle ultimately shifts to Carbon Canyon, where territories and reputations can be lost on every perilous curve. Need for Speed Carbon delivers the next generation of customization giving you the power to design and tweak your crew's cars in every way using the ground-breaking new Autosculpt technology. Represent your car class, your crew, and your turf in Need for Speed Carbon, the next revolution in racing games. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 52
  3. Negative: 0 out of 52
  1. GamePro
    95
    Carbon almost always manages to feel as finely tuned as any of its high performance sleds, and with downloadable content on the way, it seems safe to think that it'll be an adrenaline generating favorite for a good long while.
  2. Game Informer
    85
    The city’s sections felt too similar to each other. I admit, I don’t have all the answers on making a perfect open-world racing title, but Carbon falls short in this area. Don’t worry though, the speed in this game is enough to outrun such criticisms.
  3. TeamXbox
    81
    For attempting to satiate the entire racing game populous with a single title, EA has done a pretty fine job. Would a super-mega tuner game have been a better move? Would a follow-up to the pursuit-style racing of "Most Wanted" have made more sense? Maybe and maybe.
  4. GameTrailers
    78
    The fleshed-out story is a nice touch, and the head-to-head canyon races are a hoot, but with so little content it’s hard to recommend as a purchase unless you’re spending your nights on deserted pieces of road looking for some action.
  5. 1UP
    75
    While Carbon is peppered with clever little ideas, ultimately it falls victim to EA's insistence on annually iterating the franchise. It refines previous ideas but lacks that big "wow" factor we've seen in the past. It's thoroughly, thoroughly competent and shouldn't be overlooked, but it really is "Need for Speed Again."
  6. 3DAvenue
    70
    NFS Carbon as a game on its own is extremely well done but in the context of the previous two games, it simply doesn't separate itself enough.
  7. Gamestyle
    60
    Whilst there are some really good ideas here, Carbon feels too unbalanced as a package – too many bells and whistles attached to an average racing game. Roll on next year’s instalment.

See all 52 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 23
  3. Negative: 6 out of 23
  1. LuanGamer
    Jun 17, 2015
    10
    Por Mim Melhor necessidade para a velocidade, investiu MUITO MAIS Muito Bem na SUA historia, Carros topos, Trilha sonora Muito boa, e graficoPor Mim Melhor necessidade para a velocidade, investiu MUITO MAIS Muito Bem na SUA historia, Carros topos, Trilha sonora Muito boa, e grafico Realmente bom pra Época, Por Mim Rolava NFS Carbon 2 '-'… Expand
  2. simonglenn
    Nov 1, 2006
    10
    omg omg, i played the demo and thought it wasnt that good, but am i proven wrong in a big way with the full version, this game is amazing, iomg omg, i played the demo and thought it wasnt that good, but am i proven wrong in a big way with the full version, this game is amazing, i love the canyon duels and the night time driving what a buzz you get and super graphics at top speed using nitro and no drop in framerate, i have a 42inch plasma hdready and it looks fantastic. a must have.. great job ea 10/10… 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 carsAmazing 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.… Expand
  5. CloudStrife05
    Aug 19, 2021
    7
    The main issue with Carbon is that it was the first main NFS game to come to consoles on the heels of Most Wanted (2005), and the fact thatThe main issue with Carbon is that it was the first main NFS game to come to consoles on the heels of Most Wanted (2005), and the fact that NFSMW was so good, it was already doomed if it missed. Not only did it missed but it missed by more that 9 seconds. Personally, it was ok and playable once but also, the fact that the next game was better (NFS: Undercover), Carbon became the bologna in between the bread, and just like bologna, you hate it or it does its job for now and that's what Carbon was.… Expand
  6. gamingisgreat
    Aug 18, 2016
    6
    Need For Speed Carbon is a huge step back from Most Wanted.

    Carbon's story continues from where MW left off,and is well fleshed out.I won't    Need For Speed Carbon is a huge step back from Most Wanted.

    Carbon's story continues from where MW left off,and is well fleshed out.I won't spoil it for you in case you want to play the game.

    The handling is quite good,very similar to MW.The new Canyon boss battles are way too frustrating however.It's a shame too as Carbon had a chance to eclipse MW.

    The new AutoSculpt feature allows you to modify different zones of your hood,skirts,spoilers,and fenders.
    This also affects handling,making the great customisation system even better.

    The game's graphics are good,but there are framerate problems in the game.

    Sound design and soundtrack are OK.

    Overall,NFS Carbon is a decent game,but a huge step back from Most Wanted.That said,if you see it on the cheap,give it a play,as it is still quite enjoyable.    … Expand
  7. TTW107
    Feb 13, 2012
    5
    I had fun racing don't get me wrong, it's just not as fun as some of the other NFS games. Also who in the hell made the achievements/trophiesI had fun racing don't get me wrong, it's just not as fun as some of the other NFS games. Also who in the hell made the achievements/trophies for this? It is god awful. Believe it or not we all have lives and it's really stupid that one of the first achievements I unlocked was finishing the game. Fun for a little while but no lasting value.… Expand
  8. Cccatch
    Sep 29, 2022
    0
    the schedule in a game the sediment, a plot isn't worked out, the last boss can't be won if you are an ordinary gamer!

See all 23 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
35
#35 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
27
#27 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006