NFSU excelled at creating a sense of speed. The screen would blur as you engaged NOS, and the world—slick with "rain" that was mostly there to reflect the neon lights—felt dangerous and fast. The game also popularized specific race modes that are now staples of the genre: Sliding through corners to rack up points.
To understand the impact of Underground , one must look at the state of the franchise prior to its release. The late 1990s iteration of Need for Speed was defined by Need for Speed: III: Hot Pursuit and Porsche Unleashed . These were games about precision, luxury, and the open road. You drove Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches through scenic countrysides, avoiding the law in high-stakes highway battles. nfs underground