Need for Speed Underground: Rivals - PSP

These days, Electronic Arts can generally be relied upon to support a new games platform. Heck, the games giant has even made games for Gizmondo and mobile phones. So it’s no surprise that the EA launch line-up for PSP is pleasingly committed, with big names like FIFA and NBA Street making early appearances.

Also a big seller for EA in recent times has been its Need for Speed series. Originally a supercar racing game that had pretty much fallen by the wayside for EA, the brand was resurrected in the white heat of the post-Fast & Furious zeitgeist as a game paying homage to the car tuning scene. Underground was slapped on the end to give it a more ‘edgy’ feel.

With a third NFSU Underground on the horizon for consoles, the rebirth has been very popular. Which makes it an obvious choice for an outing on the new PSP. EA has put some thought into it and created 10 new tracks that are designed to play to the PSP’s none-too-puny strengths. Available for tuning and racing are some of the scene’s most popular car manufacturers from Japan, featuring enormously capable machines from the illustrious Nissan Motor Company as well as other cars from the likes of Mazda, Toyota and the rest. A selection of ponderous, ugly American cars make an appearance too.

It hasn’t escaped the good people at EA that the PSP has some pretty hefty WiFi capabilities, and full use is made of these. You can race head to head against your friends and gain in real life the respect that every street racer so tirelessly craves. The title features new game modes that are exclusive to PSP, too. With this and Midnight Club 3 both in the PSP launch line-up, if you’re the sort of PSP owner who dreams of maxing your fat whip, and getting props from all the other racers, then listen, dog, you are spoilt for choice.
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