Looks stunning and plays well, but...It's no wonder why the PSP is one of the must-have gadgets this year. EA's spectacular Need For Speed launches (Underground, Most Wanted) are indeed reasons why you should get a PSP. Though Underground was near perfect quality, it still had its faults. But I'm not reviewing that title.Need For Speed: Most Wanted looked phenomenal on the PS2. Adding that fresh 'Underground' premise with the classic and original Need For Speed police concept, Most Wanted certainly attained that must-have quality. But even with the mixture of two different concepts, Most Wanted didn't come out as perfect as I would've liked it to.Let's start with its different components:GraphicsThe graphics are near perfect to its PS2 counterpart. The on-going ... MoreLooks stunning and plays well, but...It's no wonder why the PSP is one of the must-have gadgets this year. EA's spectacular Need For Speed launches (Underground, Most Wanted) are indeed reasons why you should get a PSP. Though Underground was near perfect quality, it still had its faults. But I'm not reviewing that title.Need For Speed: Most Wanted looked phenomenal on the PS2. Adding that fresh 'Underground' premise with the classic and original Need For Speed police concept, Most Wanted certainly attained that must-have quality. But even with the mixture of two different concepts, Most Wanted didn't come out as perfect as I would've liked it to.Let's start with its different components:GraphicsThe graphics are near perfect to its PS2 counterpart. The on-going cars have that stalish body-paint and some of the courses have polgon collision - as in the car abnoramally runs into an invisible wall. Overall, the graphics showcases that gritty product Underground fantastically displayed, as well as day to mid afternoon courses found in classic NFS titles.9.0/10GameplayHandling the car in-game is too easy, and that's the problem. For avid, hardcore racing fanatics and veterans of the NFS series, you won't find that 'control' you have had access to in prior titles and Gran Turismo. I found the dismissal of 'Manual Handling' expectant because of the lack of buttons on the PSP, but it really was desirable. Overall, the gameplay is phenomenal for all ages and inviting to any gamer - new or old.8.0/10StoryIt attains that Underground storyline, but if you have the PS2 version of this title, you're better off following the story from there as it is not entirely text-based. Still, the story is very suiting to the game and once again wraps you up in that 'Underground/Fast and Furious' pseudo experience. Its very easy to comprehend, as well as lackluster in some parts.5.5/10SoundThis is one of the profound qualities of the game. It has that 'pedal to the metal' pumping game sound as well as a decent soundtrack - featuring artists like Disturbed and T.I. The sound is very rich in quality and is equal to anything of the Gran Turismo series.9.5/10FeaturesBody Kit, Paint, Spoilers, Rims, Exhausts, Nitrous and Engines are all available as in the Underground series. What's more is that the main-menu boasts new 'Career Mode' with sensational graphics. There's also demos of NBA Live '06 and Madden NFL '06. Another new feature (with the help of the PSP) is the ability to challange anyone, anywhere to an online duel. The plus is that you get to challange anyone, the negative is that he/she has to be atleast 15 feet away. Still, the features are broad for something produced on something so compact as a UMD.8.5/10OverallThe game is a must buy for anyone with a PSP. The sound and graphics are magnificent and the gamplay is easy to pick up. The only gripe I have towards this game is the A.I. of the squad cars. At times it can be really exhasperating and unnecessary, but the main objective is to overcome the odds. This game is very good and recommendable. Long-time fans might be a bit dissappointed though.8.0/105 people found this helpful

Need for Speed: Most Wanted sure is memorable. Electronic Arts has struck gold, as Most Wanted is one of the best games in the Need for Speed franchise. It's more of "Cops" and less of "Pimp My Ride", which makes for a much different experience. Humorous cinematics, fast-paced racing, high-speed pursuits, tight controls, and slick graphics make way for an overall package that is worth the $60 price point on the Xbox 360.Welcome, you're the new guy in town. Like any big-headed car tuner, your goal is to gain the respect of other street racers by pushing the law and becoming the "Most Wanted" racer in town. When you attempt to do this, the locals tamper with your fancy BMW and you're quickly in the hole, losing your pink slip to an arrogant, outspoken hotshot named ... MoreNeed for Speed: Most Wanted sure is memorable. Electronic Arts has struck gold, as Most Wanted is one of the best games in the Need for Speed franchise. It's more of "Cops" and less of "Pimp My Ride", which makes for a much different experience. Humorous cinematics, fast-paced racing, high-speed pursuits, tight controls, and slick graphics make way for an overall package that is worth the $60 price point on the Xbox 360.Welcome, you're the new guy in town. Like any big-headed car tuner, your goal is to gain the respect of other street racers by pushing the law and becoming the "Most Wanted" racer in town. When you attempt to do this, the locals tamper with your fancy BMW and you're quickly in the hole, losing your pink slip to an arrogant, outspoken hotshot named Razor. Razor doesn't stop there, as he climbs to the peak of the Most Wanted list using your car. Through different races, events, and police chases your goal is to have another race against Razor to get your car back, but there are 14 other Most Wanted racers on the "Blacklist" and hundreds of races waiting for you before you get to him. The story is told through some ridiculously beautiful cutscenes. These scenes mix computer-generated animation, real-life actors, and a fancy color effect to make a look that you have to see to believe. Not to mention, these scenes are usually pretty funny, making them worth watching all the same.The different races leading up to Razor have the same simple goal; cross the finish lin.

The first time I played Need For Speed: Most Wanted was on release in 2005. Back then it was a great game with a decent modification system, great cop chases and an OK storyline. After moving on from NFS: MW, I tried to find subsequent titles that would rekindle that fun factor I had in the original, playing the likes of NSF: Carbon, NSF: Undercover, NSF: Hot Pursuit and NSF: The Run. Sadly, none of these quite lived up to my expectations.With the release of Criterions Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012), there has actually been a spike in interest in this NSF:MW (2005). With that said, 8 years later I have re-purchased NFS:MW (2005) and will review this senior title by today's standards. Can it still live up to 2012 gaming expectations???STORYLINE:Unlike more recent ... MoreThe first time I played Need For Speed: Most Wanted was on release in 2005. Back then it was a great game with a decent modification system, great cop chases and an OK storyline. After moving on from NFS: MW, I tried to find subsequent titles that would rekindle that fun factor I had in the original, playing the likes of NSF: Carbon, NSF: Undercover, NSF: Hot Pursuit and NSF: The Run. Sadly, none of these quite lived up to my expectations.With the release of Criterions Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012), there has actually been a spike in interest in this NSF:MW (2005). With that said, 8 years later I have re-purchased NFS:MW (2005) and will review this senior title by today's standards. Can it still live up to 2012 gaming expectations???STORYLINE:Unlike more recent iterations in the NFS Series, MW (2005) has a pretty decent storyline. The short and basic premise is you are an out-of-towner, with a heavily modded BMW M series and you lose your car to a cheating rival (he basically sabotages your car to win the pink slip race). You must race, through a series of 15 blacklist racers to get to the top of the Street Racing scene and win your beloved M3 back. Along the way, you come in contact with characters that are there to assist you (Mia and Roger). Both of these give you needed in-game information through your Car's Nav and Cingular messaging system. The system is a bit dated, most players might not even remember the cellular company called Cingular, but it is effect.

Most Wanted places you in the shoes of the racer you controlled in NFS: Underground 2, who has left Bayview and moved to Rockport. This time around you are trying to be the most notorious and revered racer in the city and on the city police's "Blacklist". This blacklist shows who the top 15 street racers are in terms of won races and police chases. Basically, you choose a car to start with (and naturally it isnt going to be the best car in the world), do a few races & earn money from them, then go and upgrade your car. From there you proceed in police chases to raise your bounty. While in these police chases you must pass "milestones" - these milestones can be anything from hitting into a car to having a 20 minute police chase. Eventually you can challenge a member ... MoreMost Wanted places you in the shoes of the racer you controlled in NFS: Underground 2, who has left Bayview and moved to Rockport. This time around you are trying to be the most notorious and revered racer in the city and on the city police's "Blacklist". This blacklist shows who the top 15 street racers are in terms of won races and police chases. Basically, you choose a car to start with (and naturally it isnt going to be the best car in the world), do a few races & earn money from them, then go and upgrade your car. From there you proceed in police chases to raise your bounty. While in these police chases you must pass "milestones" - these milestones can be anything from hitting into a car to having a 20 minute police chase. Eventually you can challenge a member on the blacklist if you meet their criteria (they usually require you to win a certain number of races, have a certain bounty price, You can upgrade almost everything on your car from visuals to performance. I mean you can buy several types of body kits, spoilers, rims, paint jobs, vinyls, etc. In addition, you can buy better motors, nitros, superchargers, etc. On top of that, you can "performance tweak" your car. This means you can lower your ride height, raise your torque poundage, aerodynamics, and much more to give you the upperhand in a race.The police chases are pretty cool, but get almost impossible later on. You start off at level 1 with just police cruisers following you, as you gfo on you will get police.

This is another successful installment in the Need for Speed franchise. You play a racer newly arrived in Rockport City, who loses his ride in a fixed race. To get revenge, you'll have to gain street cred and work your way up the blacklist, the 15 toughest racers in the city.A good racing game needs solid controls and a steady framerate, and there's plenty of both in Most Wanted. Cars are varied and handle well, and the graphics maintain a high visual standard even when your car's at its top speed. You'll face numerous types of races in career mode, including the standard circuit, drag races, checkpoints, and sprints. The fun is in building street cred, which requires you to tangle with the fuzz and generally go crazy on the road (remember kids, drive safe in real ... MoreThis is another successful installment in the Need for Speed franchise. You play a racer newly arrived in Rockport City, who loses his ride in a fixed race. To get revenge, you'll have to gain street cred and work your way up the blacklist, the 15 toughest racers in the city.A good racing game needs solid controls and a steady framerate, and there's plenty of both in Most Wanted. Cars are varied and handle well, and the graphics maintain a high visual standard even when your car's at its top speed. You'll face numerous types of races in career mode, including the standard circuit, drag races, checkpoints, and sprints. The fun is in building street cred, which requires you to tangle with the fuzz and generally go crazy on the road (remember kids, drive safe in real life!). All of this is laid out on an open-ended city, the new standard for racing games. Adding to the polish is a fully licensed sountrack, and several videos with live actors that propel the story along (Josie Maran!!)Most Wanted is definitely one of the top street racing games I've played, though it's hard to say if its the best. For example, the underrated Street Racing Syndicate takes into account real car damage when you race, forcing you to pony up for repairs if you drive recklessly. In contrast, Most Wanted magically restores your car to perfection after each race. It really depends on your preference, and how much realism you want (paying for car repairs, like in real life, is a pain). Street Racing Syndi.

I enjoyed this game years ago, and have played a number of arcade and sim racers since. It's definitely the best arcade racer ever made and is as much FUN as a sim racer.After getting those laser burn rings on my copy years ago, I threw it in the bottom of a box and forgot about it, getting immersed in Forza and Project Gotham instead. I haven't cared for many of the other racers that came along over the years. Sure racing is fun, but having some driving reason for racing (pun intended) makes the fun factor soar. After hearing that a new version of Most Wanted was coming out, I looked for my old copy and tried to fixed those rings scratched into the surface.Nope. The system wouldn't play it.Tried tootpaste and peanut butter fixes, but they didn't work. Actually, ... MoreI enjoyed this game years ago, and have played a number of arcade and sim racers since. It's definitely the best arcade racer ever made and is as much FUN as a sim racer.After getting those laser burn rings on my copy years ago, I threw it in the bottom of a box and forgot about it, getting immersed in Forza and Project Gotham instead. I haven't cared for many of the other racers that came along over the years. Sure racing is fun, but having some driving reason for racing (pun intended) makes the fun factor soar. After hearing that a new version of Most Wanted was coming out, I looked for my old copy and tried to fixed those rings scratched into the surface.Nope. The system wouldn't play it.Tried tootpaste and peanut butter fixes, but they didn't work. Actually, nothing will help those circular rings caused by leaving a disk inside your xbox while moving it. What the toothpaste and peanut butter treatment did accomplish, however, was to at least let the xbox recognize it as an original Need For Speed: Most Wanted DVD. Then, seeing that old copies were selling for a king's fortune, I rented a copy and burned it onto my machine to play. I then allowed the machine to recognize that I had an original disk and ...voila! It's even more fun this time around. Just a terrific game with nice graphics for the age, a great story line and enough complexity to make it re-playable. I can see why it's demanding a premium on the used product market.