GENRE
	Racing
	DEVELOPER
	Pocketeers
	PUBLISHER
	Electronic Arts
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-2
	CONNECTIVITY
	No
	BUY NOW AT

The Need For Speed franchise has taken on various forms over the years, and earned a fanbase of both gamers and automobile enthusiasts. These audiences have come to appreciate the series for its dynamic visuals and engaging gameplay. Need For Speed games put the roadway experience in our hands.

Last year saw the release of Need For Speed: Underground, which went on to be one of the most successful installments of the franchise. Taking a page from The Fast and the Furious, players were exposed to the gritty world of street racing. The sequel has now hit shelves, continuing the tradition of the first game while adding many new features that are sure to bring fans coming back for more.

visuals

Judging the visuals of a handheld game is a difficult task when its console counterpart is lurking in the rearview mirror. The console version will almost always look more impressive. However, I must give this version some credit. Need For Speed: Underground 2 is one of the best looking racing games I've seen for the Game Boy Advance. Obstacles and terrain are clearly visible, all while maintaining the illusion of speed.

My gripe is with the tracks that are available. I did not feel the street racing vibe that was present in the first game. Few tracks clearly display the dirty underground of this foreign world. It was like seeing a watered down version of the original game. Minor adjustments could have helped out here and there. Make some of the colors brighter, others darker. Add in both stationary and moving obstacles that more accurately represent this hazardous hobby. The Warehouse is a good track. The City Hall is not. There is nothing gritty or "underground" about City Hall.

audio

The music is surprisingly good. Urban hip-hop beats that are paced just right. Precisely what I'd expect to hear in a street racing game. The sound effects are accurate, although I had to listen to a car crashing more times than I would have liked. After playing for a bit, the hum of the motor became bothersome. I tried to adjust the audio levels. The default settings find the sound effects boosted to the max while the music is considerably lower. I played around with things here, but I could never find a mix that I liked. Something was always too loud or too quiet for my personal preferences. This wasn't a huge complaint, but still something that I wish had been tweaked.

gameplay

Anybody who thought that Need For Speed: Underground didn't provide enough gameplay has cause to rejoice. This sequel offers multiple modes of play including traditional circuit racing, drifting mode, and drag racing. And these are just the initial modes. Additional challenges are unlocked by progressing through the courses. There is also a collection of mini games that take the action off the road and into the world of automotive maintenance, such as tweaking an engine to keep it from overheating. Again, additional mini games are unlocked as you complete challenges.

The most impressive element of Need For Speed: Underground 2 is the extensive customization control. Racers can not only edit the visual appearance of their vehicle, but also the parts under the hood. Mix and match components in 10 performance categories, across 18 licensed vehicles. The possibilities are endless, really making the game unique for each individual user. But once again, parts must be unlocked by completing challenges. In other words, you'll have to earn your perfect car, which will keep racers plenty busy.

multiplayer

There is a multiplayer mode that allows two players to race against each other, but it requires two cartridges, meaning I was unable to give it a test drive. However, this is where the deep customization control could really shine. A multiplayer mode allows seasoned racers to flaunt their skills, show off their custom vehicle, and put their reputation on the line. It's a virtual form of real life street racing, only less dangerous and more legal. This aspect of the game is a huge plus.

overall

The developers of this title wanted to push the Underground series forward by adding extensive performance tuning and new modes of play. Not only did they succeed, but they did so without ruining those aspects that made the original Need For Speed: Underground, and other Need For Speed titles, so refreshing and enjoyable. This is definitely one of the best racers available for the Game Boy Advance, and includes enough unlockable content to challenge some console games.

However, assuming that you do own a console, I wonder why you would choose to purchase this handheld version instead. There are definite pros and cons to each adaptation, and you'll want to weigh them for yourself before racing out to the store, but I'm willing to bet that most will ignore the Game Boy Advance in favor of another system. That's not surprising. While this is certainly a good game, it is not perfect, and is most likely much better elsewhere.

8.0/10