Need for Speed: Underground

Need for Speed: Underground

Developer: EA Black Box
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, Windows
Released in JP: December 25, 2003 (Original), June 24, 2004 (J-Tune)
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.

Sub-Pages

Prototype Info

Prerelease Info

Removed Game Modes

To do:
Extract the relevant text for the removed modes. Also, is there any leftover data relating to them?

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, but leftovers exist, including an icon. It exists in a prototype of the GameCube version.

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 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)

Debug Menu

To do:
Expand on this in further detail.

With this mod you can enable the debug menu in the game.

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!

GameCube Prototype Leftover

This is string english 1

Literally Blank File

blank.tag, found in the root of the game's files, contains this text:

blank file

This file ain't lyin'!

Police

To do:
Is there more than just textures?

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.

cop lights

Cut Game Option

String Damage can be found in options file of the game, which doesn't exist in the game. Also, cars in this game have minor damage. String BPP can also be found. The option Damage exists in pre-release versions of the game.

Unused Textures

Driver Textures

In the game's 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.

Female
Helmet

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. This car exists in the PlayStation 2 version of NFS HP2.

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. This car exists in the PS2 version of NFS HP2.

Bus
Firetruck
Sedan
Ambulance

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