Down-to-Earth, Arcade Racing
Now, one or two of the Need for Speed games on DS were fun enough, but tracks were always excessive in their design, and the cars were designed to be middle of the road -- not quite arcade, not quite simulation style. I can sympathize with people who want a racing simulator, but generally speaking, I don't.
GT2 controls very simplistically. You've got acceleration, brake and boost -- that's about all you have to worry about. Cars drift with ease -- I don't have to slow down to a crawl and hug corners -- and it's just good, old-fashion, arcade fun.
Asphalt 2 also looks really good. It's got some attractive car models and tracks, and lots of variety. The music is enjoyable, as are the sound effects, and the presentation and system of incentives work really well.
If you're looking for a more rigid driving experience that is believable, this probably isn't the game for you. However, if you're shopping for a really fun, arcade-style, street-racing experience, I can't think of another game out on DS right now that tops GT2. Content-wise, there's a lot to do. Sure, you can engage in multiplayer, but personally, I've given up on that. I think it's best taken as a single-player thing. Either way, though, you'll get your money's worth here.