Need for Speed: Underground 2 cover

Need for Speed: Underground 2

Critic score3 critics
First release
Nov 09, 2004
Developer
EA Black Box
Engine
EAGL 2
Genres
Racing · Action

Need for Speed: Underground 2 is a street racing game and the first entry in the series to feature an open world environment. Set in the fictional city of Bayview, players drive freely between events while building their reputation through circuit, sprint, drift, drag, and Street X races, as well as outrun challenges and Underground Racing League tournaments. The game expands on its predecessor with broader vehicle customization options, a sponsorship system, and new race types. SUVs appear alongside the returning roster of tuner cars.

Also known as NFS Underground 2, NFSU2, NFSUG2

Attributes

No Attributes added.

Details

Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords

Storyline
Shortly after becoming the top racer in Olympic City, the player is ambushed and their car is destroyed by an unknown assailant. Six months later, they relocate to the city of Bayview to start over, guided by a contact named Rachel Teller who introduces them to the local racing scene. As the player earns sponsorships and builds a reputation, they draw the attention of Caleb Reece, the leader of a crew called The Wraiths who is attempting to control Bayview's racing scene by manipulating sponsorship deals. Rachel reveals that Caleb is the same person responsible for the attack in Olympic City. After turning one of Caleb's crew members to their side and surviving multiple attempts to sabotage their career through rigged tournaments, the player challenges Caleb directly, defeats him, and claims the title of Bayview's best underground racer.Read more

Shortly after becoming the top racer in Olympic City, the player is ambushed and their car is destroyed by an unknown assailant. Six months later, they relocate to the city of Bayview to start over, guided by a contact named Rachel Teller who introduces them to the local racing scene. As the player earns sponsorships and builds a reputation, they draw the attention of Caleb Reece, the leader of a crew called The Wraiths who is attempting to control Bayview's racing scene by manipulating sponsorship deals. Rachel reveals that Caleb is the same person responsible for the attack in Olympic City. After turning one of Caleb's crew members to their side and surviving multiple attempts to sabotage their career through rigged tournaments, the player challenges Caleb directly, defeats him, and claims the title of Bayview's best underground racer.

Release dates
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Nov 09, 2004
PlayStation 2
Nov 15, 2004
Xbox
Nov 15, 2004
All 10 release dates
Nintendo GameCube
Nov 15, 2004
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Nov 19, 2004
PlayStation 2
Nov 19, 2004
Xbox
Nov 19, 2004
Nintendo GameCube
Nov 19, 2004
PlayStation 2
Dec 22, 2004
Nintendo GameCube
Dec 22, 2004
Time to beatIGDB · recorded
Main + Extras
16h
Age ratings
PEGI 3ESRB E
Game modes
Split screen, Multiplayer, Single player
Perspective
First person, Third person
Keywords
burnout, street racing, online, drifting, motorsports
… All 28, split-screen multiplayer, language selection, human, polygonal 3d, licensed soundtrack, unlockables, motion blur, non-player character, vehicle customization, xbox live, licensed cars, dolby digital, voice chat, comic book cutscene, in-game advertising, arcade driving physics, sports cars, product placement, greatest hits, dead multiplayer, re-numbered franchise, cinematic jump, xbox 360 backwards compatibility

At a Glance

Critic Score
79
Main + Extras (IGDB)
16h

How it plays

Languages

  • Englishinterface
IGDB · recorded 26 Oct 2026

Language data: IGDB · recorded 26 Oct 2026