Need for Speed: Underground

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Need for Speed: Underground
Developer: EA Black Box Publisher: Electronic Arts Platforms: PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Windows Released in JP: December 25, 2003 Released in US: November 17, 2003 Released in EU: November 21, 2003 This game has unused modes / minigames. This game has unused text. This game has regional differences. This game has revisional differences. This game has a prototype article This game has a prerelease article

Need for Speed: Underground is where Need for Speed goes The Fast and the Furious. The series' traditional formula of racing supercars across highways and winding mountain roads while running from the cops is thrown out in favour of nighttime underground street racing with highly modifiable tuner cars. Although some criticised the change, the game was well received overall and went on to dictate the direction of the NFS series for many years to come.

Removed Game Modes

To do: Extract the relevant texts for the removed modes.

According to in-game files, five game modes were removed.

• Smoke Show

A game mode where you likely would've done burnouts and donuts to try and generate the most smoke. Likely removed since it would've served no purpose.

• Party

Possibly a local party game mode with linked consoles. Not much is known, nor is known why it was removed.

• Car Show

Possibly a car meet game mode. Likely removed as it served no purpose.

• Cash Knockout

A cut game mode which worked much like Tournament but uses cash as the scoring system.

• Tournament

Another removed game mode, although this one can still be accessed by the use of Cheat Engine on the PC version. Interestingly, everything about this game mode is fully functional, which raises questions on why it was removed.

• Theater

It was a place where you would've watched the game's cutscenes. It was cut from the final version, however, leftovers exist, including an icon.

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  Unused theater icon

NFS: HP2 leftovers

• TSELECT.BIN

Leftover from NFS: HP2. It contains track select screens.

• HUDTEX.BIN

Another leftover from NFS: HP2. It contains gauge textures.

Source: http://needforspeedtheories.boards.net/thread/2197/nfs-hp2-leftovers-ug1

Unused Text

Pre-Race Taunts

Apparently the game's characters could taunt you before races, as this text suggests:

 Yo, let's turn it up.	
 Put some duckets on yo' skills!	
 You stink!	
 Yo momma!	
 Don't hurt me! I'm full of chocolate!	
 You are a banana-head... watch out!	
 I learned to drive in Richmond!

Upgrade to earn Style Points

According to unused text, upgrades were required in order to earn Style Points.

 Upgrade your car to one star to start earning Style Points!
	

Instant Replay

According to unused text, Instant Replays were going to appear. They were eventually added in Underground 2.

 Press Here for Instant Replay!
	

Position Feedback

A feedback on your race position was also cut, according to this unused text:

 Bounce.	
 Winner!	
 Too Bad.	
 Not Bad.	
 Dope!

Police

As mentioned before, Underground does not feature cops. But according to in-game files, they may have existed at one point. It is unknown as to why they were removed.

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  Unused cop lights

Unused Driver Textures

In the game files, one can find unused driver textures for a female driver and a driver wearing a helmet. It's possible they intended for players to be able to switch gender like in Black Box's previous title, before scrapping it entirely.

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Unused Traffic Cars

4DR_Sedan02

That is the internal file name of this traffic sedan, based off a 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala, that was removed from the game. It can be restored, and later appeared in Underground 2.

Bus

A bus was also cut from both Underground 1 and 2, but can be restored in both.

Ambulance

An ambulance was also cut from both Undergrounds, but same as the bus above, it can be restored in both.

Fire Truck

Same as the bus and ambulance, a fire truck that normally goes unused but can be restored in both Undergrounds.

Unused Tracks

Test Track

A track meant for testing purposes. Likely to test the handling model, jump physics, and driving on other terrains.

Tech Park

This track would've consisted of a 30 second sprint through Downtown, however, it goes unused. It can be restored through modding.

Version Differences

To do: Details and pictures. Also the box suggests the PS2 versions lack online multiplayer in Japan, confirm this.

Need for Speed Underground J-Tune is a special edition of the game for the Japanese PlayStation 2. Its changes include different art to apply to the cars, and additional magazines.