Need for Speed ProStreet

"We thought it's a stunner, well it was a stunner, a stunning disappointment!"

WHAT THE HELL?
EA Games has gone too far, first releasing the highly successful NFS Pro Street in a multi - console release and it was a big hit. Now, we thought the PSP version will be better since it is released later than the original multi - console version but it wasn't, not in any way possible. The PSP version is a disappointment, a big one. There are many flaws and real Need for Speed feel has flown away to nothingness in the game. There is only one thing keeping anyone from throwing the game away, damage, at last there is a NFS game in the portable with some damage but it doesn't really shout something out unlike Burnout and Driver 76. The Street Kings have also been removed which makes this game the worst NFS game out there.

A HUGE DOWNFALL
What is the main purpose of making an NFS game for the PSP, fun right? Well this game has none and I mean none, aside from the damage system, there are many more flaws in the game that you will see. Like there is no body kit or vinyl application, only decals and car numbers which aren't really found in any NFS game in the portable. The rims option is still there at least and the only cars that have body kits and cool vinyls are the ones you are gonna use near the end of the game so you will have to suffer through the visual torture this NFS game has gone through. The graphics is still the same adding only the damage system visible to the vehicle. The performance parts will never be out of the picture at least, with available performance parts for your car, the game will only get a little better. The only thing redeeming the game from gaming hell is that the performance is affected by the damage itself, get a lot of damage and your car will run like a turtle.

A LITTLE FUN FACTOR
The tracks are a direct port from the other versions which makes it a little fun. Sadly, the race modes aren't gonna give you anything, with only three race types available, Circuit, Lap KO and Time attack which even noobs can conquer easily. The cars also are a direct port form the other versions so you can savor the glory when tuning up a Lamborghini Murciellago LP640. Although there really is no visual upgrades like the ones before this, there is the Race Tuned versions of the vehicles there so you need to get to the Pro leagues before getting them, damn.

GOODBYE STREET RACING, HELLO ORGANIZED RACING, BOO!!
With all the cop chase and the traffic derby fun you had in the other games, this game said goodbye to it all, replacing the illegal circuit with a organized racing circuit, you'll feel like playing Gran Turismo on Need for Speed, with no traffic to get in your way, just the AI, it becomes easier to win a race on an easy track, still with the brain - dead AI saying goodbye, there is nothing left to do here but to play stupid and bump the hell out of each other. There is no midnight setting here, just the day where racing fans sit on the audience booths and on announcers like the other versions. No Street Kings, no Ryan Cooper, just disappointment to come your way in the game.

DEMOLITION DERBY: NFS STYLE
The damage system is a new addition to the game and at least the damage itself affects the performance, like wrecking your front - left tire in a Rear - Wheel drive car will make your car turn to the left at all times. What is a damage system if nobody's gonna cause some damage, nothing right? EA has done a great job in making the AI a little Barstow style in driving their vehicles. So you probably won't come out of a race without any damage fee to subtract to your winnings.

IS THAT THE CAR FRAME SCRATCHING THE GROUND?
Even though EA ditched the visuals completely, they still did a good job in the sound, directly porting (again!) the soundtrack from the other versions, it still fits into the poor gameplay. When your car gets scrapped, of course you can hear the frame skidding the ground, ruining the great paint job when driving a race type car. Unfortunately, you can only hear these sound effects when you play in a quiet room or when listening to an earphone so there's not much fun in it.

THE LOW DOWN
Graphics 9/10
The game looks great, the car design is really well and the damage is really visible.

Sound 6/10
Only the soundtrack is what's great about this game

Gameplay 4/10
There are no drift modes, no visual mods and exceptionally no fun at all.

Lifespan 0/10
A boring game, unless you're too desperate to play it. You'll get bored after finishing the first league.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 04/15/08

Game Release: Need for Speed ProStreet (US, 02/18/08)