Need for Speed: Underground Rivals

Need for Speed: Underground Rivals is the first Need for Speed game released on the PSP. It is the PSP equivalent of Need for Speed: Underground and Need for Speed: Underground 2 and follows a very similar gameplay style. However, there is no plot involved in this game. The police seen from earlier titles is also absent.

Gamplay
Races in this game take place at night only and there is no free roam. Tuning is a major factor of gameplay. In order to unlock more of both performance and visual parts, players need to collect 'upgrade points'. In Underground Rivals, players can play either Underground mode and/or Quick Race. The Underground mode can played on four difficulties. Statistics are viewable in the Driver Status screen in My Underground.

Game Modes

 * Circuit Race- This mode is divided into four classes: Master, Novice, Pro, and Car Spec. The first three are merely race events with horsepower restrictions, while Car Spec allows only compulsory cars to take part in certain events.
 * Drag Race- In a long straight, players accelerate their cars to max speed. This mode is only playable with manual transmission.
 * Drift Attack- Players have to drift on several markers that are placed on the ground. The winner is the one who collects the most drift points.
 * Lap Knockout Race- Any player who completes a lap in last place will be eliminated. This goes on until one is left.
 * Nitrous Run- To win the race, players need to get from one checkpoint (called a gate) to another. By passing through a gate, time and nitrous are added.
 * Street Cross- Racers will drive in narrow indoor circuits containing 90 degree and 180 degree turns mostly. Street Cross is greatly based on Street X.
 * Rally Relay- Players drive two laps around a circuit. After completing the first lap, The player has to swap his/her vehicle.

Customization
Players will not get any benefits from customizing their cars visually. There's no star rating or whatsoever. Visual parts don't come separate, but in body kit sets only. However, players can write their own lettering and put them on the windscreen, backlight, and bonnet.

Most important are the performance mods, which players can modify their acceleration, top speed, and handling. Any car in this game can be upgraded to be very competitive to even the strongest production cars. After purchasing one type of performance part, players can install it in their vehicles without the cost of credits.