Need for Speed: Underground

Need for Speed: Underground marked a complete reboot of the series in 2003, focusing entirely on the then-flourishing illegal street racing scene and car tuning culture. Inspired by films like The Fast and the Furious, this game is all about style, speed, and respect.

You start as an unknown racer with a standard car and work your way up by winning races and upgrading your car with performance parts and visual modifications. From body kits and neons to engine tuning and turbo boost: you decide how your car drives and looks.

The game features five main modes: Circuit, Sprint, Drag, Drift, and Time Trial. All races take place in a neon-lit city at night, with rainy streets and loud beats enhancing the atmosphere.

3 fun facts:

1. No open world: Unlike its successor (Underground 2), Underground does not have a free-roaming city. Everything happens via menus and race selection.
2. No real brands at launch: The game does not feature official manufacturers of tuning parts (like HKS or Greddy); these only appeared in later installments. However, you can visually customize a great deal.
3. Career without story: There is no real storyline or cutscenes. You progress purely through races and styling scores, but the sense of progression is strong—especially when you work your way from a Civic to a Skyline.

Rating: 10/10