Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City

Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City finds the latest edition in EA's long running street racing series getting shrunk down for the DS. Now, before you go thinking this game will be a terrible translation (much like Burnout Legends was a while back, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted on the DS anyway), think again. Carbon improves on the previous year's Most Wanted on the DS by delivering a solid number of tracks, cars, and customization options to keep racers happy for a while. Also, it's worth noting the wingman addition works better here than it does on the game's larger console bretheren, and makes the game all the more fun. However, Carbon has it's share of flaws as well. Most notably are the game's graphics which consist of combinations of smooth 3-D and blocky and bulky elements as well. Not to mention that there are also more noticable missing elements in the translation to the DS, which hurts the replay value. That being said though, the good outweighs the bad here. New upgrades and the opponent AI are welcome pluses, while the multiplayer mode is where Carbon absolutely shines brightest. There aren't too many better racers for the DS at the moment, so right now, you can do a whole lot worse than Need for Speed Carbon. All in all, Carbon is definitely worth a look for racing fans seeking to burn solid rubber on their DS without any Nintendo mascots in the action.

There are so many times that racing games have either made it for gamers, or just crashed within the sounds of the dust. That has been the case previous for games like Mario Kart: Super Circuit for the Game Boy Advance, and Sonic Drift 2 from Sega's Game Gear days. That same thing could also be said for the Need For Speed series. Although it has exceled on the home consoles like the PS2, and Xbox, it hasn't had its fair share on the handhelds like the Nintendo DS. The last edition, Need For Speed Most Wanted, fizzled with lackluster moments on the Nintendo DS, that could've left gamers begging for more. Now, a new DS chapter has arrived. Can this leave the dust from before?

Need For Speed Carbon: Own The City for the Nintendo DS, takes a different spin from the successful races from the previous speed game. This time around, in own the city you have to tackle your way through 12 circuit tracks to cross the finish line, and prove that you're the best of the best.The game features numerous cars like the Mazda RX-8 to your collection, and many others you can tune up, and thrust your way to the finish line. The graphics for the game fair up, as they did with before. Sadly, I just wish there could've been more challenges against the police, as there is with the home console editions. The control is simple to maintain for each car, and takes little to no worries about progress.

All in all, i felt a bit mixed about Need For Speed Carbon: Own The City. I was just expecting a bit more out of this for the Nintendo DS. I really suggest though you try your luck on the regular console editions instead, because there is a lot more there that makes the real need for speed.

Graphics: C+

Sound: B-

Control: B

Fun & Enjoyment: C

Overall: C 1/2+

After playing Need for Speed Most Wanted I had high hopes for this game. But NO, this game was lacking in all parts, cop chases, boss levels, just everything. [...]