Dec 11, 2007

We understand if you shrug at the appearance of yet another episode in the long-running Need For Speed series. After all, between the Undergrounds, Carbons and other assorted NFS-titled accoutrements, it's become sorta tough to keep up with where the franchise is going these days. However, despite the collective yawn coming from the mouths of gamers around the world, there's no disputing one simple fact - Need for Speed ProStreet on the DS is a tight and polished portable racer. Too bad it doesn't have the personality to match its looks, otherwise we'd be totally smitten.

There isn't much in the way of introduction or character definition. After a couple of perfunctory lines of text to let you know your dude's name is Ryan Cooper, you pretty much cease to have any connection to anything but your small stable of cars. This, frankly, is a pretty good thing, since there's a more-than-respectable selection of rides to choose from. Even more impressive is the distinct feel of the various cars you eventually come to own. After we'd come up with a bit of cash and nabbed an Audi TT, we were surprised at how much smoother it drove than any of our original stash. Sure, this is expected on a console racer, but a handheld? Impressive.