PAX 2008 hands-on: Need for Speed Undercover, rollcage edition
by Kevin Kelly 
{ Sep 1st 2008 at 4:30AM }
From the depths of the M.C. Escher nightmare of Dead Space we slid into the sweet embrace of a high-octane car. Need for Speed: Undercover knew that it needed to impress people with something besides picture-pretty cars racing along at high speed through city streets, so it wrapped itself inside a glorious steel gaming cage. A gaming cage that looked like something they'd use to teach driver's ed out of in the future. Find out all about this must-have, but can't-buy gaming accessory after the break.
Gallery: Need For Speed Undercover
This photo-realistic driving game looks sexy enough when you've got the sleek Maggie Q. featured in your cinematic cutscenes, but if you cram it inside a metal rollcage complete with 5.1 surround sound, the Microsoft driving wheel with the pedals, a custom shifter, and an uber-comfortable racing car seat, then you've created something we covet. Unfortunately, they're a tad too freaking bulky and heavy to slip unnoticed into our geekpacks. This is a bit like showing us Madden NFL 09 in the middle of a football field... of course it makes things look better.
While we'd probably enjoy playing everything from Grand Theft Auto IV to Boom Blox in one of these rigs, it's obviously meant for racing and it made us click with Need for Speed: Underground. While the damage doesn't seem realistic at all (you can rear end a slow moving station wagon at 150+ mph and keep going), the graphics tend to make you forget about that. Randy called this "Need for Speed: Most Wanted with a new paint job," during his hands-on, and he's right. However, it's one pretty damn good-looking paint job. Plus, when that paint job comes wrapped in a custom driving rig, we start coveting.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
todd @ Sep 1st 2008 8:24AM
More like hands-on the cage... I'll take a NFS:MW2.
tifosiotaku @ Sep 1st 2008 10:42AM
I'll take Midnight Club Los Angeles instead. NFS is dead to me...
EMaster @ Sep 1st 2008 9:35AM
OMG!! I Want it!!! Good thing it's out soon. Now here is the question. Will I get it for the PS3 or 360. If there is drag races I will have to go with the 360 as the PS3 controler is not good for drag races.
JAY JAY @ Sep 1st 2008 10:02AM
What the heck's on that guy's forehead on the top picture?
Madster @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:11AM
Its an EA gamer tracking tattoo.
You know, for scores. Eventually we all will have them. Even if you're not a gamer.
nithin @ Sep 10th 2008 2:11PM
when is it releasing?can i get it on my pc?
DaMark135 @ Nov 6th 2008 8:45PM
it comes out november 18 and on pc, ps3, Xbox 360, Wii, ps2, psp, and DS
aFormerPCFan @ Oct 4th 2008 8:34PM
Nithin, you wont want it for PC because in order to get any NFS game to work on the pc after underground 2 you have to put about a thousand dollars into your pc. I just bought a new PC that EXCEEDS the minimum system requirements for Pro Street and yet it still lags like my old PC, granted its a little bit better but gaming isnt meant for the pc anymore because every time a new game comes out you have to buy more ram, buy a processor that is twice as fast as the old one and buy a faster video card, its just not worth it. if my i can get my ps3 to work again thats what i will use for all games because you dont have to continually buy hardware to buy new games and have a decent time playing them
Alex @ Oct 12th 2008 9:50PM
Man that means that you don't choose your pc hardware correctly or your leting the wrong person do your pc upgrades 4u. Don't blame pc gaming all together because it has many pros as to a console... The pc versions are always the best!