Need for Speed ProStreet

Published on: 11th May, 2009

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• Need for Speed ProStreet

We understand if you shrug at the appearance of yet another episode in the long-running Need For Speed series. After all, between the Undergrounds, Carbons and other assorted NFS-titled accoutrements, it’s become sorta tough to keep up with where the franchise is going these days. However, despite the collective yawn coming from the mouths of gamers around the world, there’s no disputing one simple fact – Need for Speed ProStreet on the DS is a tight and polished portable racer. Too bad it doesn’t have the personality to match its looks, otherwise we’d be totally smitten.

There isn’t much in the way of introduction or character definition. After a couple of perfunctory lines of text to let you know your dude’s name is Ryan Cooper, you pretty much cease to have any connection to anything but your small stable of cars. This, frankly, is a pretty good thing, since there’s a more-than-respectable selection of rides to choose from. Even more impressive is the distinct feel of the various cars you eventually come to own. After we’d come up with a bit of cash and nabbed an Audi TT, we were surprised at how much smoother it drove than any of our original stash. Sure, this is expected on a console racer, but a handheld? Impressive.

Navigating through the career mode means signing up at different series of events called Race Days. These combine a nice variety of action, where success means cash money for upgrades and new wheels. Aside from the standard fare of first-to-the-finish-line-wins races (of which there are plenty), you’ll also jump into time attacks, drifts, drag races and hydraulics challenges. The regular racing is simple enough, but mastering the timing of the drag races and the rhythm-based button presses of the hydraulics will take some time and likely cause a few foul words to be uttered.

Race Days will also force you to think a little strategically, since you’re not allowed to upgrade, repair, or otherwise tune your cars while you’re in the middle of ‘em. Blow the engine on your top-tiered, nitro-powered supercar when you got a little antsy at the start of a drag race? Too bad, slick – it’s out of commission for the rest of the event. When you are able to get into the garage, though, a simple yet deep performance and visual upgrade feature lets you pimp your ride to your heart’s content.

While it likely won’t win any awards, NFS ProStreet is a handy little racer that’s way better than we expected. Between the lengthy career mode and nifty wi-fi multiplayer options, it’s more than capable of delivering plenty of good times. After a while, its lack of personality may cause you to run out of steam, although true gearheads will likely be focused on nabbing the ultimate cars that await the top money-winners. Regardless, we were pleasantly surprised with how it drew us in and kept us going.
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