Need for Speed Carbon

 Xbox
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Cheat Code Central
    86
    The Canyon Duel and the returning Drift Race, which has been absent in recent years, are both exciting and engaging additions to the already impressive list of race types carried over from "Most Wanted."
  2. Armchair Empire
    85
    While many may miss the always-around-the-next corner, full-force police chase excitement from Need for Speed Most Wanted, Need for Speed Carbon still provides an adrenaline speed-rush with the spectacularly exhilarating drift racing down the curvaceous canyon roadways.
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    82
    Need for Speed Carbon has fast and furious races. Tuning is fun, but it does not have much of an effect on racing. [Dec 2006, p.82]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    80
    An extremely polished, utterly playable update.
  6. IGN
    78
    The drifting is an acquired taste (but it's good), the canyon duals are decent changes (though not great), and the crews...well, they suck. Of the myriad new features, the addition of muscle cars and the online functionality are the best.
  7. GameSpot
    76
    Even though the wingman mechanics and canyon races don't quite pan out, it's still a stylish and enjoyable street racer.
  8. Game Informer
    75
    It's one thing for the current-gen versions of this game to be not as visually compelling (such as the sense of speed not being as good), but it's unfortunate that you only race against three other cars during typical challenges.
  9. 1UP
    75
    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."

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best Xbox Game of 2006
46
#46 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 4 out of 18
  1. bane864
    Dec 3, 2015
    8
    It was surprisingly not as great as I thought, but still a great sequel to Most Wanted 2005. Preferred Underground 1 and 2 for XBOX. ComparingIt was surprisingly not as great as I thought, but still a great sequel to Most Wanted 2005. Preferred Underground 1 and 2 for XBOX. Comparing this to PC it wasn't much of a difference except for the giant XBOX controller....but guess that's my fault, not EA's. If you still have an old XBOX I suggest getting U1&2 instead of Carbon. Both are wayyy better on PC.… Full Review »
  2. BlueFalcon
    Dec 6, 2006
    6
    This is the worst Need for Speed on Xbox. Even Hot Pursuit is more fun. But overall it's still a better than average game. It's This is the worst Need for Speed on Xbox. Even Hot Pursuit is more fun. But overall it's still a better than average game. It's just disappointing for the series that not much effort was put into it. I wouldn't recommend picking it up.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »