Need for Speed Undercover

Reviewed by:
Gerasimos Manolatos

Price:

Price: $39.99–$59.99

The Skinny: An undercover officer and his law enforcement sidekick Chase Linh (played by Maggie Q) are on the trail of a bunch of street hooligans mixed up in an international smuggling ring. Do you have the head gaskets to take down some of the world's most wanted?

The Good: We're going to pretend there was never a Carbon or ProStreet version of the Need for Speed franchise, because, well, they stunk it up. Fans of the series will be happy to know that developers have taken serious notes from their last respectable effort, Most Wanted, changed a few things, and presto! Profit! The cops make their return and, while they are generally easy to elude, provide enough incentive to continue driving. You can also pick your victims with the game's handy GPS map, instantly taking you to the race of your choice.

The Bad: There are just too many other games out there that do the same thing but better. It doesn't have the arcade feel of Burnout: Paradise or the presentation value of Midnight Club: Los Angeles, and Undercover eventually stands alone with no real purpose. It has some ogle-worthy rides in the Audi R8 and the new Nissan 370Z, but the game's graphics don't do the cars justice. And make sure you don't attract too many cops or you'll be forced to endure a chase scene at 15 frames per second.

Maxim Tip: If you're strapped for cash, completing career mode unlocks unlimited money. Cha-ching!

Buy, Rent, or Disembowel? It's got a few bumps, but who cares? It's a rental!

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