I totally understand the argument for Underground being the true beginning of NFS. I think a good comparison would be Top Gear. Top Gear started in 1977 and it was pretty successful locally but it wasn’t until Jeremy Clarkson’s 2002 overhaul, that the show exploded into a worldwide success to the point where people don’t talk about the original Top Gear. Before Underground NFS was a nice, solid racing game, but Underground made NFS insanely popular.
While Underground was a huge turning point for both NFS and the racing genre I would say that NFS3: Hot Pursuit was a game that really put the series to the map and achieved both critical and commercial success. There's a reason why many old time games revere them (NFS3, High Stakes and Porsche Unleased and HP2 in a loose way) as all time classics.
Hot pursuit 2 is still the best need for speed. The AI isn't on tracks and can be challenging. They do make mistakes. You can actually battle back and forth, and they will play dirty. You can barely push the other cars around in underground and you can clearly see they're on rails around the courses
The Fast and Furious franchise had an instrumental foundation in the creation of this game and behind their best ERA. Especially with 2 Fast 2 Furious coming out in 2003 - same year as Underground. Their best ERA imo (Underground 1 - NFS Carbon)
I absolutely loved the intro with all the NFS "lore" and backstory. You guys just keep perfecting the UV formula with each upload. Incredible video as always. Can't wait for UG2!
I myself never got the opportunity to try older titles behind the underground era of NFS, but i can admire the idea of high end cars in an addition with beautiful scenery and police pursuits. All i hope is that this series still gets the love it deserves for trying something different than it's competitors. I love the Need and i always will. 🎉 Thanks for the Video UV.
What's stopping you now? Most of the pre-Underground games still hold up pretty well. The original 1998 Hot Pursuit is still my most played NFS out of the entire series, and I'm younger than that game lol
Just wanted to agree that these older games absolutely hold up. Look into emulating PS2 and check out Hot Pursuit 2, Underground 1&2, and Most Wanted. I've replayed them all since getting into emulating and they all still play great.
"Get Low" was something that makes it classic too, but then if you hear that song in this very year, you either feel like "no this is not NSFU time" or "damn that song was so loud for god's sake"
Fun fact: While the AI cars are randomly generated in the later games, Underground 1 had the same drivers throughout the entire career, and they would progress and upgrade their cars just like the player would 👌
It was cool seeing Jose's, Klutch's, and the other cars getting gradually upgraded as you progress especially Ricco he goes from a stock looking sentra to a custom one
*Finally Found Someone Who Discussed How Underground Changed The Need For Speed Series Forever, I Always Think The Shift From Exotic Supercar To Japanese Sport Car In Underground Was Insane!*
I recently found an old disc of NFS underground for PS2 and a bunch of other old games for Nintendo 64, Wii, PS3, PS2, PSP, 360 and the OG Xbox, but they were all decayed and damaged to a point that they couldn't be saved
@@UltraViolet_Moses It hurt my soul to see them in that state, cause I never even knew they were there all these years, I thought that only the consoles were left in the old shack, but when it was time to clean it, I was horrified at what I saw
Great video as always, mate. I personally don’t remember the game overstaying its welcome, but it may have been due to the fact that this was the first of its kind, at least to me. The thing is, if I think of games that will always be “one of the greatest,” underground is most certainly there. And the number of games that make the cut is very much limited.
Whenever I launch Underground 1 and 2 Get low , Riders on the storm starts playing in the background Nfs underground was the first NFS game which features customisation
Thank you for this vid, man. One of my earliest core memories is getting gifted Hot Pursuit 2 to play on my brother's PS2. I was 4 years old and still remember holding & staring at the gamecase for hours waiting for my turn to pick the game we play (big family lol). I fell in love with the series and am such a big fan that I can even appreciate the newer titles even with their abysmal handling models (is Forza handling patented or something? lol like wtaf). Hopefully in our lifetime, NFS can capture some more lightning in that bottle you mentioned lol. The series deserves it.
I always thought the Underground series early to mid 2000s was a lighting bottle risk because of the era they were in if would of came out now it would have been perceived differently but this the argument I have is foundation will be forever like the late 90s and into the early 2000s will be the true NFS and if they go back to it will last forever. That era in the underground era is some time capsule back in when it was not what it now. The movies, the shows and Japanese culture arise from here and made it here. A trend get only get so far but it will fade just with enough time.
Ah, good ol' Underground. My start with Need For Speed all the way back in '03. I don't think I ever beat it. The traffic was just evil and the AI were clearly driving LMPs disguised as road cars. But I beat Underground 2 more times than I can remember, so I'll call it even.
Great video as always, but I'd like to point out two things. First, the traffic. You mentioned that the traffic may ruin your race to the point that you have to restart it. Isn't that really the point of traffic? Also, because of insane rubberbanding in this game, the race quiet offten is not over until it's over (unless you crash next to finish line). I do understand that sometimes, especially in drag events, the traffic cars may come out of nowhere but that's why you have 111 races to learn where to be caucious and what places to avoid. It's really cool seeing the progress of your skill throughout the game. In the beggining you would crash every single traffic car in your stock Civic and by the end of the game you'll be flying around traffic in your riced Skyline at 300 KM/H. For me that's one of the most satysfying parts of the game. I think that modern street racing games do not penalise enough for such mistakes making players not paying a lot of attention to what is happening ahead of them. We may as well get rid of traffic and play around on closed circuits. Secondly, you mentioned that there are no european cars in the game. Well, the Golf GTI and glorious 206 would like to have a word with you. Looking forward to second part with Underground 2!
You absolutely can take the Honda Civic through the entire campaign in NFS: Underground, one shotting every single event, on the hard difficulty. I've done it. Once. Back in the day. And it was fun as hell.
I have so many fond memories of underground 1-2 and most wanted.. it surely was the golden era of the franchise even tho HP was awesome too. Thats why I'm so sad what the franchise has become. A shadow of it's former self trying to catch the lightning again but fail miserably by looking at what playground does and not what they did 20 years ago. I would pay good money for a underground 1 and 2 remake. A proper remake and not like the abomination what the most wanted thing was.
So true, don't get me wrong, I like both games. But ever since Fast and Furious exist & NFS introduces customization, it caused the fanbase become close-minded af! Any NFS games with customization is a brain rot. Sure the old NFS like High Stakes have customization, but its not heavily like in the UG series.
The 90's... well 80s.. where gaming started with me. I played road and track on Panasonic 3D0. Along with the best version of Road Rash. 😂 Imma let yall finish but Pro Street really made the series for me. I did love underground 1 though. I was in a band then and we actually played around some of the bands that were in the game. Personally all my mates and I played NBA street 2 more together. I had a multitap.
3:37 Nice Persona 2 music eheheheh very funny that you had P2 songs here... i finished P2 and went to play the japanese version of Underground 2 right after NFSU1 has a better OST than the sequel.... and Street X races are bad xD Thanks for the video !
Unbound was not risky however, my issues with the game revolve around its lack of ability to move on from Ghosts remnants. As a sidenote: risk does not mean guaranteed success, that’s why it’s called risk, Unbound simply failed, and that is objective considering the poor ratings throughout the gaming community and critics alike
I wish modern NFS games would have the same immersion and satisfaction like the old days, machine that driving games are not made like they used to I feel so unfair doesn't?
NFS UNDERGROUND WAS WAY AHEAD OF IT'S TIME JUST LIKE NEED FOR SPEED HOT PURSUIT 2 AS FAST AND FURIOUS MOVIES SPARKED THE TUNING CULTURE IN PEOPLE THIS GAME CAME AT THE RIGHT TIME PLUS AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NO COMPETITION/CHALLENGES FOR ELECTRONIC ARTS LIKE JUICED SERIES RIGHT NOW THEY CARE ALL ABOUT SPONSORS NOT US FANS, SHAME. LOOK WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO NFS UNBOUND CAR HANDLING GAME FEELS LIKE MARIO KART AND HOT WHEELS !!!
UG2 is truly a bit overrated, while U1s story might not be the best, hardly anyone ever remembers anything from U2s story, it was way too long for most to finish the game (plus you NEEDED the stars to progress, which at above 6-7 stars just gets ridicolous) and the world map without fast travel was a bit tedious. Still a great game, but not as great as people remember it. Also I find U1s handling to be the best ever in all of NfS games, so snappy and rewarding. U2 is a bit slow and too sluggish for my taste.
Before unbound hot pursuit update : nfs rivals is the worst nfs ! After unbound hot pursuit update : nfs rivals is underrated! - unpredictable nfs fans 😂
@apexsmokepackersome just say that driving exotics in rural locations isn't fun even though it started the series. If weren't for them, underground and onward wouldn't have been a thing
@@MidnightApex-ml6jc NFS started with the late 80s to early 90s sports car and exotic, don't forget that. But people thinks that UG series with JDM was the first NFS, smh.
It's cool and all but utterly pointless compared to Midnight Club 3. It just renders Underground invisible and irrelevant, talking purely from a gameplay and fun-having perspective
They both have their strengths and weaknesses like underground 2 you're forced to rice your car to beat the game and in midnight club 3 I hated the chopper races handled horribly
crap I'm late, anyways Ultraviolet, your deep dive into Need For Speed Underground is pure nostalgia! 🏙🚗 You nailed it-Underground was the game that truly defined the series and revolutionized racing games. Your analysis of its impact in 2003 and how it still resonates today is spot on. It’s amazing to see how this classic title still holds up and influences modern racers. Thanks for taking us back to where it all began! 🔥🎮
The Ghost Games era was, and still is, phenomenal. And I'm sick and tired of people pretending it's not. Criterion had their shot, with MW (2010). And they botched it. Badly. Cuz, for the millionth time, nobody who's played this series wants a "NFS: Burnout." Now, they're just riding the coat tails of Ghost, with Unbound. While reintroducing the idiotic "Burnout" crash cam garbage into the series, that everyone hated, 14 years ago.
The sheer hate of the Criterion-era NfS, only because of Burnout. In my opinion, that's unsurprising. At least Criterion tried to innovate with their games, while Ghost simply chased something that was no longer trendy.
While Underground isn't my first dive into racing (ty Rush 2 on the N64), it certainly is the one that made the most impact. Something about the night racing with the blend of rap, breakbeat, and nu-metal captivated my 6 y-o self. Let's not forget the customization. Oh man did I absolutely rice the crap out of the RX-7. All in all, I hold this game dear to my heart. Flaws and all!
Hey I know you don’t second chances but I wanted to see if you’d do a review of Horizon 5 again, considering the updates in the past year have been far better in terms of quality.
For me my most favorite need for speed games are 3, High Stakes, and Porsche Unleashed (Hot pursuit 2 was also really good). I also love Underground 2, and the original Most Wanted, but for different reasons than the original series. I was also a big fan of the Test Drive series, particularly 1 & 2, and Test Drive Unlimited 1 & 2 (which would also explain why I found the earlier games more appealing). I cannot say I care much for any of the other NFS games after that point (other than the two shift games), as imho they got too gimmicky, with really stupid and obnoxious characters/story.
well. unfortunately we living in an era that the money become above everything. the developer became more hunting for the money and profit more than the quality of the games and the satisfactory for the players..!!! 😞💔 and they ended up with games they wish they don't made it. for example, EA made a modern game for this series ( Need For Speed 2015 ) and the game was horrible. the physics is a nightmare. and the story not that good. the only thing good about it is the graphics. i even myself hated it without even play it..!! 😔
and yet, don't people keep clowning on modern NFS's storylines? Though, I do wonder what a "new direction" for NFS would even look like, if they were to stop trying to replicate Underground.
Sadly that people cant buy it in their Steam library. _Played in SRS not so long time ago, and really enjoyed it._ not make sense that EA maked remaster for Hot Pursuit but not for most cult parts of the series
Hey Ultraviolet. How come? I see you found the base of the stubborn NFS fans. Cops, Customization, Street Racing. I liked underground, but I seem you have lost yourself into overlooking some games. Please give Beamng Drive a shot. And your videos are timeless ngl.
I dont see Beamng happening in the future, as for myself to review a game, it has to be something that I have an interest in, otherwise I just can't look at it from the right angle. BeamNG and the other sandbox style games dont interest me at all, so it would be disingenuous of me to cover them in truth
@@UltraViolet_MosesLook I know what you prefer. Fun games with large variety. Just think as Driver: San Francisco. But with a lot more stuff. In Beamng Drive, you can do almost anything possible with cars. Also you can use a lot of mods, like in thousands of options. Atleast give it a shot, you won't regret it. Try something new that hasn't been possible 8n racing games.
Love the vids man i started my racing game journey with Midnight club 3, Most wanted and Burnout Revenge forward with Midnight club 3 till this day still being my favorite But watching these videos showing love to these old racers is dope and i look forward to what racing game youll do next
AI in this game cheats a lot and yet I'd say the dificulty is hard but not impossible, I'm a bad player, no skills at all and I can play the 113 events on hard and have a great time crashing into the unexpected traffic (that's how real traffic behaves btw). Underground isn't as plain as one may think only 4 types of events but I remember specific events, like the one where you go against 3 vehicles that look stock but are really tuned and their drivers are particularly aggressive, or this event where you go against the mechanic dirty racing tactics to recover Samantha's ride, the first sewer event is so memorable too. That's what modern gaming is missing, this structure of skillfully tailored situations that makes memorable moments... I mean Horizon tried that getting you to race against a train or a hovercraft but that's cheesy, it's not a race, it's a circus show and you feel stupid, not heroic. Anyway underground feels more real as street racing than any other, the voice messages before events set the rivalry tone and invite you to take the challenge, "set and setting" that's what's more important, it's like DJ Atomica on Burnout Paradise, it's all about set and setting
eddie well that a name for the main bad guy i may not be a nfs fan these days i do miss the old style of nfs games i think i played underground many many years ago but i cant remember
I'll never forget the progression in this game I love the customization and the race events but one thing that really threw me off was the a.i catching up to you and the unexpected traffic, I also remember the blurry effect when going really fast was pretty cool
The environments in NFSU and NFSU2 are just pure beauty. Despite being old, I still appreciate the art direction and how lived in it looks. "Liminal" and calming like most midnights in the city. Like you just want to explore and stroll. Similar to NFS 2015's art direction.
I don't see myself being into cars without this game existing. This game created a whole scene (maybe helped by fast and the furious) and it is still so charming to see these crazy monster tuners go broom broom.
I never played Underground, but I played Hot Pursuit 2 and Underground 2. As much as I’d like to try to play Underground, it sounds like Underground 2 just did everything better than the first minus not having the Acura Integra lol
Hey Moses what kind of genre do you prefer in NFS? High stakes cop vs racer action or Underground like Blackpanthaa, and other content creators? I personally find Undergrounds style overrated myself..
I never played the first one, but the second one was one of my favorite games I had on the PS2. I started playing it on PC a few months back and it still holds up! Great video guys!
This year I tried to beat some of the later levels that I was stuck at when I played the game in Middle school, it was so damn hard even today after years of playing lots of forza horizon and motorsport x)) The god like Ai is impossible to beat on some levels, EXCEPT if you trick it by removing all your upgrades and taking the better car, because they won't have upgrades either and will drive like shit :)))
