Despite 'Need For Speed' focusing more on the player pitting their wits against a gang of street racers with turbo-charged motors, the game will always be compared with 'Ridge Racer' for the PSP. The games were released around the same time (in Europe, at least) and both constitute examples of how racing games work on handheld consoles with a lot of graphical power. Certain other review websites claim that the road and background both become blurred once the player's car reaches over one hundred miles per hour. Despite extensive play of the game, I have not found anything wrong with the graphics and the PSP's portable nature allows the player to feel as if they really are in the cockpit of a turbo-charged, modified motorcar.

The options are varied. You can take your car for a quick spin in a quick race and show all your friends what your wheels are really made of. Or you can enter into circuit races, drag races or time trials. The garage option allows you to make points gained into funds earned and you could literally spend all day buying new parts, tweaking engines and customising the paint job. EA have thrown in a car-themed music player that features some stunning visualisations and a few of the latest releases from rock music's finest.

Larger video

Yes, this game is more of a variant than a graphical revolution and it certainly doesn't shove the PSP console platform into uncharted territory. It's a version of a title you can already purchase for the PS2 and other consoles. Does it work as a game on a console that has been designed to be played on the go? Yes. With the headphones in, you could be careering down floodlit streets with the engine and the rock music blurring while your Granny takes tea with the vicar in the front room. There are tonnes of cars, levels, engines and cheats to unlock and the more you progress through the game, the more you gain in terms of driving skill and adornments for your car.

The PSP is a portable media device. If you don't like a game, you can easily switch to music, photos of even films for your entertainment. The games have to be multi-layered and intriguing or the player will quickly depart for the distant shores of other forms of media. 'Need For Speed' understands this and combines listening to great music with the thrill of being able to race very powerful cars up and down the streets of cities without attracting the unwanted attention of the local constabulary.

With the PSP's powerful graphics processor, the images in the game look stunning throughout and playing with this gadget really does feel like taking your PS2 with you on the move. Perhaps EA haven't been all that bold and creative with one of their first ventures onto the new portable platform. But do they really need to be? There's a lot to be said for the tried and tested and there's really no excuse for meddling with a formula that has succeeded time after time. If you feel the need for speed, don't dig out that video of 'Top Gun'. It's not really that good a film. Instead, rev the engine and taste the adrenalin of the battle as you burn rubber.

86%

By Martin Drury

Comments

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  1. xander Unregistered 3 years ago

    i dont know wheather or not to get a psp with my money you see i can get a psp on its own and ill have just enough for that or i can get a ds [nintendo ds] and a bike can you tell me what is better

  2. ice_freezer Unregistered 3 years ago

    Review's crap.
    Sorry.

  3. Kristopher Unregistered 2 years ago

    I have no idea how I got sent here from a Tapwave Zodiac site, but I will say that the Tapwave Zodiac is better than the PSP.

  4. gun Unregistered 2 years ago

    wowow

  5. wayne Unregistered 2 years ago

    i think its a good idea for grannies to have tea while playing the new nfs underground rivals

  6. steve Unregistered 2 years ago

    dude man

  7. lucas Unregistered 2 years ago

    manero

  8. $joey$ man Unregistered 2 years ago

    hey xander go for the psp

  9. its joey again Unregistered 2 years ago

    Hey kristopher the psp rock

  10. vfdgfdgfg Unregistered 2 years ago

    dsfdndihbifvhfvbgufvfhgfuvhvjfbvaivhbdufvgbfdivuhgviubfviufgbvigvufhvbfduivgfdivhgfviubvifvifbvifvhifghiuvbfghbfvhfhgvijergygvfhjgfrhvjbtruvhfnjkr vfgrejvfdjgbvb fug fvbjf gfdgbv fuhg fv fgu vf dg vfd vfbgfvbghfdgref gfgyrbgrg fdgyghg fv

  11. JOHNNY Unregistered 2 years ago

    i want cheats

  12. wolf1211 Unregistered 2 years ago

    is there a way to get formulas for cars to make on nfs rivals for psp? eg: fast and furious cars
    or can you download the viynals and import them into the game??
    Thanks for your help

  13. Murat KESKIN Unregistered 2 years ago

    SLM BEN TURKEYDEN MURAT KESKIN BU OYUNU OYNAMAK ISTIYOMM VE YÜKLEMEK ISTIYOJM BAKALIM GÜÜZELMI

  14. zittlauda Unregistered 2 years ago

    Customize your car to look like the fast
    2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STi look-alike Put the following parts on the Impreza:

    Front Bumper: Shadow
    Rear Bumper: Ace
    Side Skirts: Ace
    Spoiler: Downforce
    Hood: Trident
    Rims: BBS RW2
    Muffler Tip: Thunderbolt
    Window Tint: Dark Black
    Paint

    Base: Pearlescent, bottom row, second from left (blue).
    Rims: Second section, bottom row, fourth from left (gold).
    Spoiler: Same as base.
    Engine: Same as rims.
    Brake Calipers: Same as rims.
    Muffler Tip: First section, third from left (chrome).
    Everything else is stock, unless you want to put performance upgrades in it


    The Fast And The Furious Mazda RX-7
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Mazda RX-7 from The Fast And The Furious. Note: This is just a rough re-creation. There is not a lot of vinyl that matches Dom's RX-7.

    Front Bumper: Ace
    Rear Bumper: Snyper
    Side Skirts: Strike
    Spoiler: Supernova
    Hood: Stock
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Rims: Racing Hart S15
    Neon: Red Neon
    Headlights: Voltage
    Taillights: Stock
    Muffler Tip: Rocket
    Window Tint: Stock
    Paint

    Base: Gloss, bottom section, top row, fourth from the right; red
    Rims: Top section, top row, third from the left; chrome
    Spoiler: Black
    Brake Calipers: Bottom section, top row, fourth from the right; red
    Vinyl

    Top Layer: Tribal 23 Color: Second section, second from the left; gray
    Second Layer: Stripe 21 Color: Second section, top row, second from the left; gray / Bottom section, second row, second from the left; bright green
    Hood Vinyl: Hood Stripe 3 Color: Second section, second row, second from the left; gray
    Hood Vinyl: Second Layer: Hood Modern 2 Color: Second section, second row, second from the left; gray


    The Fast And The Furious Mitsubishi Eclipse
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Mitsubishi Eclipse from The Fast And The Furious:

    Front Bumper: Shadow
    Rear Bumper: Snyper
    Side Skirts: Flash
    Spoiler: Drag
    Hood: Formula-Style CF
    Roof Scoop: Blizzard
    Rims: NFSU-Cyclone
    Neon: Green
    Headlights: Voltage
    Taillights: Stock
    Muffler: Rocket
    Window Tint: Light Black
    Paint

    Base Color: Gloss Paint, last section, second from the bottom, far left green
    Rims: Stock or first color
    Spoiler: Black
    Engine Accent: Base paint color
    Brake Calipers or Clampers: Base paint color
    Muffler: Chrome
    Decals

    None
    Vinyl

    Top Layer: Tear 15: Color: Last section, last row, middle blue
    Second Layer: Tear 31: Color: White


    The Fast And The Furious Honda Civic
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Honda Civic from The Fast And The Furious:

    Front Bumper: Storm
    Rear Bumper: Storm
    Side Skirt: Storm
    Spoiler: Boomerang
    Hood: Stock
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Rims: Enkei Suzuki
    Neon: Lime Neon
    Headlights: Stock
    Taillights: Stock
    Muffler Tip: Rocket
    Window Tint: Dark Black Tint
    No widebody kit
    Paint

    Base Color: Gloss Paint, Top Row, Black
    Engine Accent: Lime Green
    Brake Caliper Color: White
    Rim: Stock or White
    Muffler: Stock or White


    The Fast And The Furious Toyota Supra
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Toyota Supra from The Fast And The Furious:

    Front Bumper: Crank
    Rear Bumper: Ace
    Side Skirts: Vortex
    Spoiler: Supernova
    Hood: Tri-Slot
    Rims: NFSU- Five-Star
    Neon: Stock
    Headlights: Stock
    Taillights: Crimson
    Muffler Tip: Rocket
    Window Tint: Light Black
    Paint

    Base: Gloss, fourth from the left, top row, bottom section; orange
    Rim Paint: Stock or white
    Spoiler Paint: Black
    Brake Calipers: Black
    Vinyl

    First layer: Tear 16, Color: first section, top row gray
    Second layer: Tribal 42, bottom section, second row, second from left, bright green. Tribal 42 uses two colors. Make both of them the bright green


    The Fast And The Furious Toyota Supra (alternate)
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Toyota Supra from The Fast And The Furious:

    Wide Body Kit: Mantis
    Spoiler: Carbon X
    Hood: Stock
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Rims: NFSU Five-Star 18"
    Neon: Green
    Head Lights: Eyelids
    Tail Lights: Chrome
    Muffler: Rocket
    Window Tint: Medium Black
    Paint

    Base: Pearlescent, middle row, left red
    Rims: stock
    Spoiler: Black
    Engine Accent: Dark Blue
    Brake Calipers: Black
    Muffler: Chrome
    Decals

    None
    Vinyl

    None


    The Fast And The Furious Toyota Supra (alternate)
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Toyota Supra from The Fast And The Furious:

    Front Bumper: Spyder
    Rear Bumper: Ace
    Side Skirts: Blast
    Spoiler: Aluminum GT
    Hood: Tri-slot
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Wide Body Kit: None
    Rims: NSFU Five-Star
    Neon: Lime Pulse/Stock
    Headlights: Voltage/Stock
    Taillights: Reaper
    Muffler Tip: Rocket
    Window Tint: Dark Black
    Paint

    Base: Pearlescent Paint, second row, second from right, orange
    Rims: Second section, top row, second from left, gray
    Spoiler: First section, first row, first from left, gray
    Engine accent: Your choice
    Brake calipers: First section, first row, first from right, green
    Muffler tip: First section, first row, second from left, sliver
    Decals

    None
    Vinyl

    Bottom Layer: Tribal #17, Color: third section, second row, second from left, bright green
    Vinyl 2: Vinyl layer 3: Tribal#2, Color: third section, third row, third form right, gray


    The Fast And The Furious Toyota Supra Nitro
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Toyota Supra Nitro from The Fast And The Furious:

    Front Bumper: Shadow
    Rear Bumper: Strike
    Side Skirts: Shadow
    Spoiler: Drag
    Hood: Tri-Slot
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Rims: NFSU Five-Star 17"
    Neon: White
    Headlights: Lunar
    Taillights: Reaper
    Window Tint: Black Medium
    Muffler: Vortex
    Paint

    Base color: Orange
    Rims: Chrome or third color to right
    Spoiler: Black
    Engine Accent: Level 2 paint, third color to right
    Brake Calipers: Orange
    Muffler: Chrome or third color to right
    Decals

    Front Windshield: Streetglow
    Rear Windshield: Elegante by TYC
    Vinyl

    Bottom Layer: Tear #33 (green and light green)
    Top Layer: Tribal #21 (gray)


    2Fast2Furious Honda S2000
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Suki's Honda S2000 from 2Fast2Furious:

    Front Bumper: Strike
    Rear Bumper: Spyder
    Side Skirts: Spyder
    Spoiler: Flyte
    Hood: Duo Max
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Rims: Konig Drone
    Neon: Pink Pulse
    Headlights: Stock
    Taillights: Reaper
    Muffler: Rocket
    Tint: Light Black
    Paint

    Base: Level 3 top row, four in from the right (hot pink)
    Rim: First color, top group, top row
    Spoiler: Same as base coat
    Engine Accent: Second group, top row, two in from right
    Brake Caliper: Black
    Muffler: Chrome
    Vinyl

    Wild 14; Color - second group, top row, two in from the right


    2Fast2Furious Mitsubishi Lancer
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Mitsubishi Lancer from 2Fast2Furious:

    Front Bumper: Frenzy
    Back Bumper: Wolfpack
    Side Skirt: Frenzy
    Spoiler: Carbon X
    Hood: Tri-Slot CF
    Roof Scoop: Dualslot
    Wide Bodykit: (none)
    Rims: Momo Quasar2
    Neons: Lime Pulse
    Headlights: Voltage
    Taillights: Chrome
    Muffler Tip: Rocket
    Window Tint: Dark Black
    Paint

    Base Color: Metallic, Last Section, Last Row, Lime Green
    Rims Color: Stock or White
    Spoiler Color: Gloss, First Section, Black
    Engine Accent Color: Stock or White
    Brake Caliper Color: First Section, Light Green
    Muffler Tip Color: Chrome
    Decals

    None
    Vinyl

    Vinyl: Stripe, Stripe 6
    Vinyl Color: Second Section, First Row, Light Blue


    2Fast2Furious Mitsubishi Lancer (alternate)
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Mitsubishi Lancer from 2Fast2Furious. Note: There is more vinyl on the actual car, but none of the vinyls in the game match the rounded squares that appear on the doors of the Lancer Evolution in 2Fast2Furious.

    Front Bumper: Wolfpack
    Rear Bumper: Renegade
    Side Skirts: Ace
    Spoiler: Aluminum GT
    Hood: Duo Max
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Rims: Momo Sport
    Neon: Green Neon Pulse
    Headlights: Voltage
    Taillights: Chrome
    Muffler: Rocket
    Window Tint: Stock
    Paint

    Base: Gloss, second section, top row; yellow
    Rim: Stock or White
    Spoiler: Black
    Break Caliper: Second section, top row; yellow
    Vinyl

    Vinyl: Stripe 10
    Vinyl: Color: Second section, first row; light blue


    2Fast2Furious Mitsubishi Lancer (alternate)
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Mitsubishi Lancer from 2Fast2Furious:

    Front Bumper: Storm
    Rear Bumper: Shadow
    Side Skirts: Vortex
    Spoiler: Carbon X
    Hood: Double V CF
    Roof scoop: Dually
    Taillights: Masked
    Headlights: Lunar
    Neon: Lime Pulse
    Rims: Momo Sport
    Paint

    Pearlescent, last section, last row yellow-green
    Vinyl

    Top Layer: modern- color 1 ,2nd section, 2nd row, 3rd from left green; color 2- last section, 3rd row, 3rd from left grayish green (dark)
    Vinyl layer 2: Modern 5- color 1 last section, 2nd row, 5th from left


    2Fast2Furious Nissan Skyline
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Nissan Skyline from 2Fast2Furious:

    Front Bumper: Storm
    Rear Bumper: Renegade
    Side Skirts: Ace
    Spoiler: Carbon-X
    Hood: Stock
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Rims: Enkei RT6
    Neon: Blue Neon
    Headlights: Stock
    Taillights: Stock
    Muffler Tip: Thunderbolt
    Window Tinting: Stock
    Paint

    Base: Gloss, bottom section, bottom row, second from right; silver
    Rim: Stock or White
    Spoiler: Gloss, second section, top row, third from the left; light blue
    Engine: Gloss, second section, top row, third from the left; light blue
    Brake Calipers: Gloss, second section, top row, third from the left; light blue
    Vinyl

    First Layer: Modern 34- Color: First Color: Top section, top row, second from the right; silver. Second Color: Second section, top row, third from the left; light blue. Third Color: Same as "Second Color."


    2Fast2Furious Nissan Skyline (alternate)
    Use the following customizations to reproduce the Brian's Nissan Skyline from 2Fast2Furious:

    Front Bumper: Spyder
    Rear Bumper: Vortex
    Side Skirts: Strike
    Spoiler: Backdraft
    Hood: Stock
    Roof Scoop: Stock
    Rims: NFSU Six Shooter
    Neon: Blue
    Headlights: Stock
    Taillights: Stock
    Muffler: Rocket
    Tint: Medium Black
    Paint

    Base: Level 3 - second row, all the way to the right (silver)
    Rim: First color, top group, top row
    Spoiler: Last group of gloss paint, second row, two in from the right
    Engine Accent: Second row, one in from the right
    Brake Caliper: Same as engine accent
    Muffler: Chrome
    Decals

    Hood Decals - Layout 2
    Slot 5 - NOS
    Slot 6 - Eibach
    Slot 7 - GREDDY
    Slot 8 - Sparco
    Right Door Decals
    Slot 1 - NOS
    Slot 2 - Stillen
    Slot 3 - APEXi
    Left Door Decals (same as right door)
    Vinyl

    Modern 8 (same color as spoiler)
    Hood Vinyl: Modern 6 (same color as spoiler)


    Dodge Viper (Sort Of)
    Well its not realy a dodge viper but it sort of looks like one, a bit start with a Mazda mx-5

    front bumper: frenzy
    rear bumper: shadow
    side skirts: spyder
    spoiler: grifter
    hood: stock
    roof scoop: stock

    rims: konig podium

    neon: stock
    headlights: stock/voltage
    tail lights: stock/crimson
    muffler tip: thunderbolt
    tinted windows: dark black

    base paint: dark blue
    rims paint: 1st color
    calipers: chrome
    rims: chrome
    vinyl color:white

    vinyl: hood stripe 5

  15. zittlauda Unregistered 2 years ago

    Unlock Everything:
    Go to the main menu and press r1, r1, l2, l2, r1, l1, r2, triangle, square, x, x, x, circle, circle, triangle, x, r2, r1

    Level 1 Performance Parts
    At the main menu, press R2(2), R1(2), Left, Right, Left, Right

    Level 2 Performance Parts
    At the main menu, press R1(4), R2(2), Left, Right

    Level 3 Performance Parts
    At the main menu, press Right, Left, L2, R3, Circle, Left, Right to unlock the Level 3 Performance Parts.

    Level 2 Visual Parts
    At the main menu, press Down, Left, Up, Down, R1, R2, R2, Square to unlock the Level 2 Visual Parts.

    Level 3 Visual Parts
    At the main menu, press L3, R3, L1, R1, Triangle, Circle, Left to unlock the Level 3 Visual Parts.

  16. Josh Unregistered 2 years ago

    great game to have

  17. milli Unregistered 1 year ago

    i thought this game is well gd and i also love test drive....

  18. Revan001 Unregistered 11 months ago

    dose anyone know performance parts level 3 for the Xbox and visual???