Need for Speed Underground 2

Uncover the tuner underground in a massive, free-roaming metropolis. Get behind the wheel in one of 30 of the hottest cars and own the streets from dusk 'til dawn. Explore the city, encountering underground races, hidden hideouts, secret shops, and unexpected challengers With comprehensive performance tuning options, all-new game modes, and the most sought-after cars on the circuit, Need for Speed Underground 2 delivers the most authentic tuner experience ever.

This is the official demo of the driving game Need for Speed Underground 2. This demo includes a sneak peek of the variety of different game modes you can play, as well as a few online options.

CNET Editor's Note: The installer for this demo mistakenly uses an image from FIFA 2005, but the demo is actually Need for Speed Underground 2.

The sequel to Need for Speed Underground has big shoes to fill, and it does so admirably, with vastly improved graphics, new gameplay modes, and an improved interface. The demo also pushes beyond the scope of the original, offering a "free roam" mode to explore the cityscape and challenge competitors at will, two types of "quick races" on two different tracks, and the ability to race other drivers online. The graphics are the most obvious improvement. We only can describe them as truly awesome, even on lower settings. Lights on the bridge sparkle in the night sky, and mannequins in store windows catch your eye as you blaze past. Little things, such as pumping your hydraulics and bouncing down the avenue, make the experience even more fun. Racing is arcade style (it's awfully hard to destroy your car) and easy to learn, yet power drifting is an acquired skill that keeps the learning curve gradual, but long. The only knocks on this top-notch driving game are the ubiquitous product placements (a Cingular messaging system?), high system requirements, and large download size. Considering the depth and quality of Need for Speed Underground 2, though, most gamers can forgive those details.