Need For Speed: Underground 2 - GBA

Considered by some to be more of a technical achievement than a great video game, Need for Speed: Underground on GBA proved that, despite its hardware limitations, it was capable of delivering a hi-octane racer comparable with that of the popular console version. A year on, Electronic Arts has improved on the Underground formula to bring us a second handheld game in the series, named Underground 2.

Designed with illegal night-time street racing in mind, Underground 2 is fundamentally more of the same, only this time there's a greater feeling of freedom. Though not entirely open, the street circuits and dirt-track arenas of Underground 2 are now much larger, complete with wider roads and a number of shortcuts that offer a variety of non-linear races and competitions.

The GBA also copes well with the realistic physics of the new EA racer, with each of the 18 unlockable cars handling in a unique manner. Two additions to the commendable racing library are the Lexus IS300 and the revolutionary Mazda RX-8. There also happens to be a number of upgradeable components that, once equipped, become immediately noticeable on the track.

Racing modes in Underground 2 comprise of the standard racing sim, Drift mode and Drag mode. There's also link-up functionality, accommodating two-player head-to-head competition. Each is surprisingly different in racing terms, and offers a little diversity to an otherwise generic GBA racer.

All told, Underground 2 for GBA is a very respectable racer and a worthy handheld counterpart to the 128-bit games. more