Some unique graphical features and an insane sense of speed make this exciting, as long as you don't mind repeating laps
(-) not nearly enough tracks compared to other Need For Speed games; Free Roam mode has been removed; the difficulty level can be catastrophic at times
Need For Speed Nitro is the first game in the franchise which was built from the ground up for the Wii. The game has a new cartoon vibe with the characters, cars, and environments which is similar to Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam. This is definitely a better take than some of the washed up Wii versions of previous Need For Speed games, I know because I've played Undercover. So what exactly did I think of this game?
Despite somehow being aimed at a causal audience, I found the game to be pretty challenging. Not exactly to the frustrating point, but I didn't breeze through the races like I did in Undercover. Each track is much more lengthy, and there are more than enough twists and turns in the track. There is also a damage system in the game, and you pick up wrench pickups on the track because if you're too damaged by crashes then you won't be able to use your nitro. An added twist is there are also cop pick ups which the cops will then attack the other racers, which adds some unpredictability in the game. And if the cops are after you, you can grab the same pick up and your heat level will go down.
Need For Speed Nitro looks amazing. The basic visual however is crisp and clean looking like a mid generation PS2 game, but there are added enhancements. You can customize the color of your car with paints of color, patterns and graffiti, which you can unlock more as you progress in career mode. And as you enter first place, the city and streets change to the color of your car. I found this to be very appealing to look at, it's so satisfying watching my car's color of paint replace another car's once I finally take the lead. The feel of speed is also immense. If you charge your nitro long enough for two bursts, then you activate it, then look out!
Another thing I liked about Nitro is how there are five different cities where you can race on, and each of them are distinct and different from one another as far as appearance and difficulty. Undercover had a consistent golden glow and evening sky, and even my little brother noticed that ever race looked the same. Not so much here. There are five different cities to unlock and race on in the career mode, which gives the game more variety than what I previously played.
However, as with most games, I found some flaws as well as advantages. First of all, the Free Roam option is not available here. That's too bad because if each of the five cities could have been connected through a channel of highways and streets, then that would round up the package pretty nicely. It would also pose as a distraction from the usual race. But there isn't any free roam option available. Second, the difficulty of the game can become just chaotic at times. Time attacks and Endurance races are unbearable at times, and the cops don't help knocking me off the road either. Even on the easy difficulty I found myself getting one star on most of the races. Maybe I should get a new car or something, but the game really knows how to make a challenge. Third, I guess I must agree that variety is at stake in this package. Five cities, five race types for each city, that's it. So to make the most of the other features means you shouldn't have a problem re-doing races you've done before.
Need For Speed Nitro is a terrific game. It has interesting and impressive graphics and customization features, an engaging sense of speed, challenging difficulty, and five different cities to explore. It is much better than Undercover on the Wii. Just add Free Roam mode than this game would feel like a direct successor.