Game Ideas Wiki
Game Ideas Wiki



Need for Speed: Underground 3 (NFSU3 or NFSUG3) is a cross-platform racing video game and the ninth installment in the popular Need for Speed driving game series published and developed by Electronic Arts. Released in 2005, it is the direct sequel to Need for Speed: Underground 2, and is part of the Need for Speed series, available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Like its predecessor, it was also commercially successful, and sold four million copies worldwide.

The game is based around tuning cars for street races, resuming the Need for Speed: Underground 2 storyline. Need for Speed: Underground 3 provides several new features. The City Center was based on Philadelphia, Beacon Hill was based on Beverley Hills and Coal Harbor was based on Camden, New Jersey. Underground 3 also introduces several SUVs, which could be customized as extensively as other Underground 3 vehicles and used to race against other SUV racers. Brooke Burke is the voice of Rachel Teller, the person who guides the player throughout the game.

On the Nintendo DS installment, users are able to design custom decals to adorn any vehicle in the game. The PlayStation Portable equivalent is Need for Speed: Underground Rivals 2.

In November 19, 2015, EA released a tenth anniversary re-release in North America. It is only for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Gameplay[]

In addition to the racing modes included in the previous Underground 2 game, no new variations of races have been provided in Underground 3. Underground 3 is unique among the games in the Need for Speed series in that it requires players to drive to a certain place in the city in order to begin a race (other games allow the player to select a race from a menu). Most races are marked on the in-game radar, but some are hidden and the player must search for them, should he decide to play them.

A circuit race is a standard race that involves up to four cars driving around a track that loops back to the start line of itself. A circuit race is typically a maximum of four laps and minimum of 2 laps. A sprint race is just like a circuit race except that the track does not loop back to the start line. It's a race from A to B involving a maximum of four vehicles, and because of the track design there is only one lap. Street X races are similar to Circuit races, but they take place on closed courses similar to Drift races.

Drifting is one of the easier types of racing (depending on difficulty level) in Need for Speed Underground 3. One difference to the drifting mode compared to the original Need for Speed Underground is that the player drifts with the other competitors at the same time. Players race against a maximum of three competitors. Points are awarded when the player successfully slide the car and finishes the drift without hitting any walls. Like the Street X mode, no nitrous oxide is allowed. There are also some special downhill drift races where the player starts at the top of a hill and has to slide down from top to bottom, a drifting equivalent of a sprint race (from point A to point B). In these races, there are no other racers, however there is normal city traffic. Players increase their points by sliding past city cars. Drag racing is a point-to-point race that forces players to use a manual transmission. Steering in this mode is simplified to simply allow for lane changes, while the game handles the steering along the lanes, and the player focuses more on maintaining an optimum speed for the car. The Nitrous Oxide meter is enlarged and displayed on the left side of the screen.

The Underground Racing League (URL) is a set of tournaments which takes place in a specific set of closed tracks outside city streets - either actual racing circuits or airport runways. URL tournaments typically consist of one to three races, with the player racing against five opponents. In tournaments with two or more races, a points system is used. At the end of each race, drivers receive a specific amount of points according to their standing in a race. The total score at the end of these races determines the winner of the tournament.

While cruising around the city, players can challenge other cruising opponents in a one-on-one race (these are called "Outrun Races"). The leader is given the freedom to pick his/her racing route, and must attempt to outrun the opponent and distance themselves from him/her to as much as 300 metres (980 feet) to win. Winning these outrun races may get the player some bonus unique upgrades. This racing formula is similar to that of Tokyo Xtreme Racer and Wangan Midnight video games, which uses health bars instead of distance to determine the winner. Once a certain amount of victories have been won by player in certain levels, the player is awarded a unique part free of charge by another racer. These parts are necessary to achieve 100% completion of the game.

Cars[]

As in Need for Speed: Underground 2, Underground 3 continues to offer similar vehicles for purchase and modification, most of which consist of Japanese models, with a sizable number of European and American models. In addition, Underground 3 is the second game in the Need for Speed series to offer three SUVs as racing vehicles, which may be modified more extensively than their compact counterparts. Also, it is the third game in the Need for Speed series after Need for Speed: Underground 2 to offer a Korean-made car (Hyundai Tiburon) as a racing vehicle. A total of 29 cars are available for both versions of the game plus 2 unique for each of them: the PAL version of the game includes the Peugeot 106 and Vauxhall Corsa, while the NTSC version includes the Acura RSX and Honda Civic.

Customization in Underground 3 was significantly expanded compared to previous iterations from the series. Visual customization has expanded with the ability to customize the car's front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoiler, hood, exhaust tips, doors, roof scoop, wheels (including the ability to put on spinners), headlights and taillights, side mirrors and paint. Vinyls and decals can also be added, as well as car stereos (amps and speakers), hydraulics, nitrous bottles and under glow neon. Most visual modifications to the car have no actual effect on vehicle performance. The sound systems, for example, could be put in the trunk of cars, but served no purpose other than visual cues. Hydraulics can be used in combination with nitrous at a start of a race which can cause a car to do a wheelie and for some cars get a better launch. The performance and handling of the car is affected by cosmetic modifications like spoilers and hoods, which affect the downforce of the car. All of these modifications are required for game completion.

The car's performance can also be enhanced by upgrading the car's engine, engine control unit (ECU), transmission, suspension, adding nitrous oxide, tires, brakes, reducing the car's weight, and adding turbos. The player has the ability to either upgrade the performance through upgrade packages or by purchasing individual parts of each performance category. NFS: Underground 3 also introduces a dyno-tuning system which allows players to specifically tune certain aspect of the car such as suspension springs, front and rear shock absorbers, gear ratios, aerodynamics, brake bias, individual tire grip, etc. The player could then test the setting via a dyno test at which point they would be given specific information such as 0–60 mph (0–100 km/h) time, max torque, etc.

SUVs, also known as sport utility vehicles, was a new element added to Need for Speed: Underground 3. In this mode, players could modify, tune, and drive SUVs in the same manner as they could with normal cars. Players could choose to race in an event with SUVs only, or in a mix of cars and SUVs. Like cars, users are able to add on parts to SUVs to increase their performance and handling. However, the added weight of SUVs make them much harder to maneuver, especially at higher speeds. SUVs were not featured in any later editions of the Need for Speed series (except as non-playable police vehicles) until 2012 with the remake of Most Wanted.

Multiplayer[]

Need for Speed Underground 3 has online multiplayer capability on PlayStation 2's with broadband connections, PC, and Xbox using Xbox Live. EA shut down the online servers for PlayStation 2, PC, and Xbox making the multiplayer function of the game inoperable. However, Gamesranger has a supported version of Underground 2's multiplayer.

Plot[]

The player races around in his Nissan Skyline GT-R over Olympic City, the setting of Need for Speed: Underground. He then receives a race challenge from a rather ominous personality who offers him a spot on his crew, but "won't take 'no' for an answer". The player races off — Samantha calls the player to inform him about the party — only to be ambushed by a mysterious driver in a black Hummer H2, who blinds the player with his headlights, then totals the player's Skyline, and the flashback fades out.

Fast forward to the present, the player arrives in Bayview with the keys to a Nissan 350Z, which is waiting for him outside the airport. The Player is able to complete a few number of races before returning it to Rachel. After he arrives at the car lot in the city core district, he takes one of the cars for free, as it was paid for by his damaged Skyline.

It is then that the player embarks on a quest to become the top racer in Bayview and eventually take down the man who sabotaged his ride months ago. After winning many races and getting many sponsorships, the player runs into a street racing crew called The Wraiths. After winning against them, the player progresses until he hears more about the Wraiths, who have been manipulating sponsor deals in their favor (and against both the player and Rachel), before a URL (Underground Racing League) race. The player challenges them to a series of URL races and eventually gets to Caleb, who is the man responsible for wrecking the Skyline in the prologue. After the player beats The Wraiths in yet another URL race, an infuriated Caleb with his modified GTO challenges the player to one final race. The race is a 5-lap circuit race and only appears when you drive a 10-star rated car. After Caleb is defeated, the player gets his role back as the best driver in Bayview.

Characters[]

  • The Player - The main protagonist in the story. He drove an R34 GT-R months ago and is revealed to be a male character while flying on a jet arriving in Bayview.
  • Rachel Teller - Samantha's best friend and the player's mentor and part-time agent. Rachel will call the player, via SMS, throughout the game letting the player know about unlocks, upgrades, sponsorships, and racing tips. She drives a green Nissan 350Z. She is mentioned in Undercover. Rachel is played by Brooke Burke.
  • Caleb Reece - A dangerous street racer who is the leader of the Wraiths. Caleb controls most of the underground racing in Bayview. He is mentioned in Undercover and is portrayed by David Palffy.
  • Nikki Morris - A female Wraith who will join the player after he beats her in a URL race. She drives a modified Ford Mustang GT and is voiced by model Kelly Brook.

Car list[]

Maximum of 999,999,999 cars per manufacturer. Feel free to add more cars! Even non-racing cars can be added. The list must be alphabetical. Some of these cars are only available in the re-release.

  1. A/C Cobra
  2. Acura Integra Type R  
  3. Acura NSX (2005)
  4. Acura TL
  5. Alfa Romeo Brera 
  6. Alfa Romeo 4C
  7. Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
  8. AMC Pacer
  9. AMC Gremlin
  10. AMC Javelin
  11. Aston Martin DB5
  12. Aston Martin DB9
  13. Aston Martin DBS
  14. Aston Martin DBS Volante
  15. Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400
  16. Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  17. Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S
  18. Aston Martin V12 Vantage
  19. Aston Martin Vanquish
  20. Aston Martin One-77
  21. Aston Martin DBS
  22. Audi S8 D2
  23. Audi S8 D3
  24. Audi S8 D4
  25. Audi S6 C4
  26. Audi S6 C5
  27. Audi S6 C6
  28. Audi S6 C7
  29. Audi S5
  30. Audi S5 Sportback
  31. Audi S4 B5
  32. Audi S4 B6
  33. Audi S4 B7
  34. Audi S4 B8
  35. Audi S7 
  36. Audi TT 8N 
  37. Audi TT 8J 
  38. Audi TT 8S 
  39. Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro
  40. Audi R8 4.2 FSI quattro
  41. Audi S3 8L
  42. Audi S3 8P
  43. Audi S3 8V
  44. Audi A1 clubsport quattro
  45. Audi Q3
  46. Audi Q7 V12 TDI
  47. Audi Q5
  48. Bentley Continental Supersports
  49. Bentley Continental GT V8
  50. BMW M135i
  51. BMW M2 F22 
  52. BMW M3 GTR Street E46 
  53. BMW M3 E30 
  54. BMW M3 E36 
  55. BMW M3 E46 
  56. BMW M3 E92 
  57. BMW M4 F82
  58. BMW Z4 M Coupe
  59. BMW Z4 sDrive35is
  60. BMW M5 E39
  61. BMW M5 E60
  62. BMW M5 F10
  63. BMW M6 E63
  64. BMW M6 F13
  65. BMW X1
  66. BMW X3 E83
  67. BMW X3 F25
  68. BMW X5 E53
  69. BMW X5 E70
  70. BMW X5 F15
  71. BMW X6 E71
  72. BMW X6 F16
  73. Citroen DS3 Racing
  74. Chevrolet Camaro SS 1969
  75. Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
  76. Chevrolet Sonic RS
  77. Chevrolet SS
  78. Chevrolet Impala SS 1964
  79. Chevrolet Impala SS 1967
  80. Chevrolet Impala Sport Sedan 1967
  81. Chevrolet Chevelle SS 1967
  82. Chevrolet Chevelle SS 1970
  83. Chevrolet Bel Air 1955
  84. Chevrolet Bel Air 1957
  85. Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  86. Chrysler 300C SRT-8 
  87. Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
  88. Chrysler 300 SRT-8
  89. Cadillac CTS
  90. Cadillac CTS-V 2004
  91. Cadillac Escalade EXT
  92. Cadillac Escalade ESV
  93. Cadillac Deville
  94. Cadillac Eldorado
  95. Datsun 240Z S30
  96. DeLorean DMC-12
  97. Dodge Challenger Concept
  98. Dodge Challenger R/T 426 Hemi
  99. Dodge Challenger R/T 440
  100. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
  101. Dodge Challenger SRT-8 392
  102. Dodge Charger R/T (1969)
  103. Dodge Charger R/T (1970)
  104. Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
  105. Dodge Charger SRT-8 (2005)
  106. Dodge Dart GT
  107. Dodge Neon SRT-4
  108. Dodge Monaco
  109. Dodge Viper GTS
  110. Dodge Viper RT/10
  111. Dodge Viper SRT-10
  112. Ford F-150 SVT Lightning
  113. Ford Mustang Boss 302 1969
  114. Ford Mustang Hardtop 1965
  115. Ford Mustang Fastback 1967
  116. Ford Focus ZX3
  117. Ford Fiesta ST
  118. Ford Focus SVT
  119. Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R
  120. Ford GT 2005
  121. 2005 Ford Crown Victoria
  122. 1955 Ford Victoria
  123. GT by Citroen
  124. GZ-69
  125. Honda Accord EXi
  126. Honda Accord LX
  127. Honda Accord SiR
  128. Honda Accord VTi
  129. Honda City
  130. Honda Civic Hybrid
  131. Honda Civic CX EJ6
  132. Honda Civic Si EM1
  133. Honda Civic Si FA5
  134. Honda Civic SI EK9
  135. Honda Civic Type R EK9
  136. Honda CRZ Mugen
  137. Honda Inspire
  138. Honda Prelude SiR BB5
  139. Honda S2000
  140. Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec
  141. Hyundai Veloster Turbo
  142. Hyundai Tiburon GT V6
  143. 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  144. Hummer H2
  145. Hummer H2 SUT
  146. Hummer H1 Alpha
  147. Infiniti G35 Sedan
  148. Infinite G37
  149. Infiniti Q60
  150. Infiniti Q70
  151. Jeep Renegade
  152. Jeep Patriot
  153. Jeep Wrangler
  154. Kia pro_cee'd GT
  155. Kia Optima
  156. Kia Sorento
  157. Lancia Delta HF Intergrale
  158. Lancia Stratos HF
  159. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Coupe
  160. Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged 2005
  161. Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR
  162. Lexus GS 350 F Sport
  163. Lexus IS-F
  164. Lexus LS 460
  165. Lexus RC-F
  166. Lexus IS300
  167. Lexus IS350 F Sport
  168. Lexus CT 200h F Sport
  169. Lotus Exige S
  170. Lotus Evora S
  171. Lamborghini Miura Concept
  172. Lamborghini Miura SV
  173. Lamborghini Diablo SV
  174. Lamborghini Countach 5000QV
  175. Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
  176. Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SV
  177. Lamborghini Aventador J
  178. Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4
  179. Lamborghini Veneno
  180. Lamborghini Reventón
  181. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
  182. Lincoln Navigator
  183. Lincoln Towncar Limousine
  184. McLaren F1
  185. McLaren P1
  186. McLaren MP4-12C
  187. McLaren 650S
  188. Mazda Eunos Cosmo 20B
  189. Mazda MX-3
  190. Mazda MX-5 NA
  191. Mazda MX-5 NB
  192. Mazda MX-5 NC
  193. Mazda MX-5 ND
  194. Mazda2
  195. Mazda RX-7 (FC3S)
  196. Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)
  197. Mazda RX-7 FD RZ
  198. Mazda RX-8 SE3P
  199. Mazda RX-8 R3
  200. Mazda Savanna
  201. Mazda Speed 6
  202. Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Edition
  203. Mercedes Benz SLK 55 AMG
  204. Mercury Marauder
  205. Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T
  206. Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
  207. Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS
  208. Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS Spyder
  209. Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
  210. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III
  211. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV
  212. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII
  213. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
  214. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
  215. Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
  216. Nissan 200SX S13
  217. Nissan 240SX S14
  218. Nissan 300ZX Z31
  219. Nissan 300ZX Z32
  220. Nissan 350Z Z33
  221. Nissan 370Z Z34
  222. Nissan GT-R Nismo R35
  223. Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
  224. Nissan 200SX S13
  225. Nissan Silvia Spec R Aero S15
  226. Nissan Skyline GT-R R32
  227. Nissan Skyline GT-R VSpec R33
  228. Nissan Skyline GT-R VSpec-II Nur R34
  229. Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R C10
  230. Nissan Your Mom
  231. Opel Astra OPC
  232. Opel Corsa OPC
  233. Opel Insignia OPC
  234. Opel Speedster
  235. Peugeot 106 GTI
  236. Peugeot 205 GTI
  237. Peugeot 206 GTI
  238. Peugeot 207 RC
  239. Peugeot 208 GTI
  240. Peugeot 306 GTI
  241. Peugeot 309 GTI
  242. Peugeot RCZ R
  243. Peugeot 405 GTI
  244. Peugeot 406 SV V6
  245. Peugeot 406 Coupe 3.0 V6
  246. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1979
  247. Pontiac GTO 1965
  248. Pontiac GTO The Judge 1969
  249. Pontiac GTO 2004
  250. Pontiac GTO 2005
  251. Pontiac Solstice GXP
  252. Porsche Cayenne Turbo Mk1
  253. Porsche Cayenne Turbo Mk2
  254. Porsche Macan S
  255. Porsche 911 993 Carrera
  256. Porsche Cayman S
  257. Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo 930
  258. Porsche 911 GT3 RS 991
  259. Ram SRT-10
  260. Renault 5 Turbo
  261. Renault 5 GT Turbo
  262. Renault Clio RS Gordini
  263. Renault Clio Williams
  264. Renault Clio RS 200 Turbo EDC
  265. Renault Clio V6
  266. Renaultsport Clio 172
  267. Renault Megane RS 265
  268. Renault Megane RS 275
  269. Renaultsport Megane 225
  270. Saturn Sky
  271. Saturn Vue
  272. Subaru Legacy B4 Blitzen
  273. Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
  274. Subaru Impreza WRX STi 2004
  275. Subaru Impreza Cosworth CS400
  276. Subaru Impreza STi 22B
  277. Seat Leon Cupra R 2003
  278. Seat Leon SC Cupra 280
  279. Seat Ibiza Cupra R 2000
  280. Seat Ibiza Cupra 2005
  281. Seat Ibiza Cupra 2 1997
  282. Seat Ibiza SC 2014
  283. 1967 Shelby GT Fastback
  284. Skoda Superb Mk1
  285. Skoda Superb Mk2
  286. Skoda Octavia VRS Mk1
  287. Skoda Octavia VRS Mk2
  288. Skoda Octavia VRS Mk3
  289. Skoda Fabia VRS Mk1
  290. Skoda Fabia VRS Mk2
  291. Skoda Fabia VRS Mk3
  292. SRT Viper GTS
  293. SRT Viper TA
  294. Tesla Model S P85D
  295. Toyota Chaser Tourer Mark V
  296. Toyota Celica GT-S
  297. Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165
  298. Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185
  299. Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205
  300. Toyota Corolla GT-S AE86
  301. Toyota Crown Athlete
  302. Toyota GT86
  303. Toyota FT-1
  304. Toyota MR-2 SC
  305. Toyota MR-2 GT-S
  306. Toyota MR-2 Spyder
  307. Toyota Prius
  308. Toyota Supra Mk4
  309. Toyota Supra RZ
  310. Toyota Yaris
  311. UAZ-469
  312. Volkswagen Beetle
  313. Volkswagen Beetle GSR
  314. Volkswagen CC
  315. Volkswagen Corrado VR6
  316. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk7
  317. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk6
  318. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5
  319. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk4
  320. Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk5
  321. Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk4
  322. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk3
  323. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2
  324. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1
  325. Volkswagen Jetta GLI Mk6
  326. Volkswagen Jetta GLI Mk5
  327. Volkswagen Jetta GLI Mk4
  328. Volkswagen Jetta VR6 Mk3
  329. Volkswagen New Beetle
  330. Volkswagen Passat VR6 B3
  331. Volkswagen Passat B4
  332. Volkswagen Passat B5
  333. Volkswagen Passat B6
  334. Volkswagen Passat B7
  335. Volkswagen Passat B8
  336. Volkswagen Phaeton
  337. Volkswagen Polo GTI Mk3
  338. Volkswagen Polo GTI Mk4
  339. Volkswagen Polo GTI Mk5
  340. Volkswagen Touareg R50
  341. Volkswagen Touareg Mk2
  342. Volkswagen Tiguan
  343. Willy's MB

Soundtrack[]

The soundtrack of Need for Speed: Underground and Need for Speed: Underground 2 is in this game.

The game's soundtrack features a variety of licensed music, from bands such as Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz, Overseer, The Crystal Method, Rancid, Rob Zombie, Asian Dub Foundation, Fuel and Blindside. The game features licensed music from artists such as Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Queens of the Stone Age, and Rise Against.

  1. Capone - "I Need Speed"
  2. Chingy - "I Do"
  3. Christopher Lawrence - "Rush Hour"
  4. Cirrus - "Back on a Mission"
  5. Felix Da Housecat - "Rocket Ride (Soulwax Remix)"
  6. Fluke - "Switch/Twitch"
  7. Freeland - "Mind Killer (Jagz Kooner Remix)"
  8. Helmet - "Crashing Foreign Cars"
  9. Killradio - "Scavenger"
  10. Killing Joke - "The Death & Resurrection Show"
  11. Ministry - "No W"
  12. Mudvayne - "Determined"
  13. Paul Van Dyk - "Nothing But You (Cirrus Remix)"
  14. Queens of the Stone Age - "In My Head"
  15. Rise Against - "Give it All"
  16. Septembre - "I am Weightless"
  17. Skindred - "Nobody"
  18. Sly Boogy - "That'z My Name"
  19. Sin - "Hard EBM"
  20. Snapcase - "Skeptic"
  21. Snoop Dogg feat. The Doors - "Riders On The Storm (Fredwreck remix)"
  22. Sonic Animation - "E-Ville"
  23. Spiderbait - "Black Betty"
  24. Terror Squad - "Lean Back feat Fat Joe, Remy"
  25. The Bronx - "Notice of Eviction"
  26. Unwritten Law - "The Celebration Song"
  27. Xzibit - "LAX"

Reception[]

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings (PC) 83.50%

(Xbox) 82.61%
(PS2) 80.77%
(GC) 79.98%
(GBA) 75.45%
(NDS) 75.44%

Metacritic (PC) 82/100

(PS2) 82/100 (GBA) 82/100 (Xbox) 77/100 (NDS) 75/100

Review scores
Publication Score
GameSpot (PC, Xbox & PS2) 8.4/10

(NDS) 8.2/10
(GC) 8.1/10 (GBA) 8.0/10

GameSpy (PC, Xbox & PS2) 4.5/5 stars

(GC) 4/5 stars
(NDS) 4/5 stars

IGN (PC) 9.1/10

(PS2) 9.0/10
(GC) 8.3/10
(GBA) 8.0/10
(NDS) 8.0/10

Need for Speed: Underground 3 was met with positive reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PC version 83.50% and 82/100, the Xbox version 82.61% and 77/100, the PlayStation 2 version 80.77% and 82/100, the GameCube version 79.98%, the Game Boy Advance version 69.45% and 72/100, and the Nintendo DS version 65.44% and 65/100. It is widely regarded as the one of the best games of the series (along with Most Wanted) and is remembered for the quality of the gameplay, the length, the endless customization, the interesting side-missions, the graphics and the addition of "Free Run". Having to drive short amounts to get to specific races, great voice acting and removing product placement for companies with no connection to auto racing, such as integrating the logo for Cingular into the game's messaging system were also praised. The Nintendo GameCube version was praised for its very stable frame rate and great graphics. The removal of hip-hop slang used by the characters, the realistic cut scenes, and a lot of police also garnered high scores.

The game sold 6 million copies and entered the "best-sellers" of each console (PS2's Greatest Hits, Xbox's Platinum Hits and GameCube's Player's Choice).