Summary
- Release Year: 2009
- Genres: Arcade, Racing
- Platforms: Wii
- Developers: EA Montreal
- Publishers: Electronic Arts
Need for Speed: Nitro: Revving Up the Wii and Nintendo DS
Released in 2009, Need for Speed: Nitro is the fourteenth installment in the popular racing video game franchise Need for Speed. Published by Electronic Arts, it is the only game in the series to date that was not released for PC. Instead, it was developed exclusively for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms.
Development and Release
Need for Speed: Nitro was developed by EA Montreal, a studio with prior experience developing Nintendo titles. However, the DS version was developed separately by Firebrand Games’ Florida studio. It was announced in January 2009 as part of a three-game announcement that also included Need for Speed: Shift and Need for Speed: World.
Gameplay
Need for Speed: Nitro features a variety of racing modes and challenges, including:
- Circuit Races: Standard races where players compete to finish first.
- Sprint Races: Short, straight-line races.
- Drift Races: Races where players earn points by drifting their cars around corners.
- Drag Races: Races where players compete to be the first to cross the finish line in a quarter-mile drag race.
- Time Trials: Races against the clock.
- Eliminator: A mode where the last-place car is eliminated each lap.
The game also features a variety of customization options, allowing players to tune their cars’ performance and appearance.
Wii Version
The Wii version of Need for Speed: Nitro takes advantage of the Wii Remote’s motion controls, allowing players to steer their cars by tilting the remote. The game also supports the Wii Wheel accessory for a more immersive racing experience.
Nintendo DS Version
The Nintendo DS version of Need for Speed: Nitro was developed separately from the Wii version by Firebrand Games. It features similar gameplay, but with some notable differences. For example, the DS version does not support motion controls and instead uses the traditional D-pad and buttons for steering.
Reception
Need for Speed: Nitro received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the game’s fun and accessible gameplay, while others criticized its lack of innovation and repetitive tracks. The Wii version of the game received slightly higher scores than the DS version.
Legacy
Need for Speed: Nitro was not as critically or commercially successful as some other games in the Need for Speed franchise. However, it did provide a solid racing experience for Wii and Nintendo DS owners. An improved version of the DS edition of the game, Need for Speed: Nitro-X, was released for DSiWare in November 2010.
Conclusion
Need for Speed: Nitro is a fun and accessible racing game that provides a solid experience for Wii and Nintendo DS owners. While it may not be the most innovative or groundbreaking game in the Need for Speed franchise, it still offers plenty of adrenaline-pumping racing action.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
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