Developed by “EA Black Box” and released by EA Games in 2003, Need For Speed: Underground is a street-racing game in high-powered modern cars. It uses fairly spectacular 3D graphics and environments; has a nice control/feel to the cars, and is full of OTT flashy car racing FMV (which some might find unnecessary; I was kinda leaning in that direction).

After creating a profile, you can then choose between any of these options: Go Underground; Quick Race; Split Screen; Statistics, and Car Customisation.

“Go Underground” starts or continues a single-player story mode game. “Quick Race” allows you to quickly customise a one-off race. “Split Screen” is for two to four player games (which can be a shitload of fun). “Statistics” shows you all the records and info from all your previous races. And “Car Customisation” allows you to edit your cars and save them to a memory card.

It takes a little while to get attuned to the controls and movement. I had to radically change the control setup in my emulator to get a combination I liked. You can also edit the controls in the game’s options to a certain extent, too. It’s worth taking the time to select a control configuration that suits you.

You can jump between third-person and first-person viewpoints as you drive. It’s up to you which you find easiest to use, but I tend to use a mix of both.

The 3D graphics are very good, and the game’s soundtrack is mostly filled with a variety of rock, pop, emo and hip-hop songs (see full list below). The game also shows you information about each song when it starts playing. Like the song’s title and performer.

The gameplay in Need For Speed: Underground is intense and rewards you as you progress. The story and dialogue are generic bollocks, but the racing itself is excellent. As are the customisation options and unlockables. Play the game intently for a day or two, and you’ll have yourself a nice selection of Toyotas, Mazdas, Volkwagens and other small cars*. *=Virtually, of course.

I particularly like how the game intercuts video playback with your driving for noteworthy stunts or accidents. The whole reason for Need For Speed: Underground‘s existence is to fulfil a modern fantasy, without anyone getting killed… There are warnings at the very front of the game reminding players that nobody should do this shit in real life… And it fulfils that fantasy very well.

Need For Speed: Underground was a critical and commercial success on the GameCube. Electronic Arts followed it up with a direct sequel in 2004, called Need For Speed: Underground 2, and two more Need For Speed GameCube releases: Most Wanted (2005) and Carbon (2006).

Licensed car brands include: Volkswagen, Honda, Peugeot, Mazda, Dodge, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and more.

More: Need For Speed: Underground on Wikipedia

Need For Speed: Underground Soundtrack:

Artist: “Song Title”

Andy Hunter: “The Wonder of You”
Asian Dub Foundation: “Fortress Europe”
Blindside: “Swallow”
BT: “Kimosabe”
Dilated Peoples: “Who’s Who”
Element Eighty: “Broken Promises”
FC Kahuna: “Glitterball”
Fluke: “Snapshot”
Hotwire: “Invisible”
Jerk: “Sucked In”
Junkie XL: “Action Radius”
Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz: “Get Low”
Mystikal: “Smashing the Gas (Get Faster)”
Nate Dogg: “Keep It Coming”
Overseer: “Doomsday”
Petey Pablo: “Need For Speed”
Rancid: “Out of Control”
Rob Zombie: “Two-Lane Blacktop”
Static-X: “The Only”
Story of the Year: “And the Hero Will Drown”
The Crystal Method: “Born Too Slow”
T.I.: “24’s”
X-ecutioners: “Body Rock”