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Need for Speed Carbon

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Mean, nasty street-car racing, not at its best.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 10–13

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Lawlessness is very cool here. The game glorifies illegal acts beyond street racing and a video warning at startup reminds kids and parents not to try this on their local streets. No consequences for bad behavior are ever shown.
  • Violence:

    Cars crash a lot but never really get damaged. Often slamming into a rival is the only way to win!
  • Sex:

    Some flirting, mild innuendo.
  • Language:

    Criminals imply threats.
  • Consumerism:

    The cars are all based on real sportscars. A lot of emphasis is put on spending money to "trick" cars out.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Need for Speed Carbon was written by Andrew Bub

Parents need to know that this game features illegal street racing and most of the trappings found in "pimp my ride" culture: Everything is neon, everyone sports an attitude, and lawlessness is "cool." A lot of emphasis is put on spending money to "trick" cars out with cool accoutrements. The game glorifies illegal acts, to put it lightly, and EA is aware of this. They've included a video warning at startup, reminding kids and parents not to try this on their local streets.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about why safe driving is important and why people should never participate in street racing in real life. Parents might want to remind kids that this game has an unrealistic lack of consequences. Families might also want to discuss the racing car culture -- why does it have such a strong pull? Why do people have such loyalties to different types of cars?
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More on Need for Speed Carbon

What’s the Story?

In NEED FOR SPEED CARBON, players assume the role of a racer with a checkered past. The story challenges you to take over the fictional town of Palmont City one borough at a time (or defend what you've taken) by tweaking your car, picking the right wingman to mess with rival cars, and winning races against rival gangs. The focus is on arcade-style racing -- cars never get damaged and stay glued to the road -- but there's a strategic layer that makes the game feel deeper than your average racer. A new concept, "wingmen," allow you to have a computer-controlled car help you win races by messing with rival cars (by blocking, bumping, or harassing them). Close

Is It Any Good?

The graphics are beautiful, offering a wide variety of city streets and twisting, turning canyons to race in. All races take place at night, which gets boring after a while, but the neon and headlight effects are often stunning -- particularly when you watch a replay of a race.

While the addition of wingmen is cool, their practical effect is that they make the game too easy: As a consequence, initially, moderately experienced racers will win most races. However, that winning streak will come to a screeching halt when faced with Boss races, intense competition where you can actually win territory, because those races are incredibly hard and frustrating. Need for Speed Carbon would have been a better game if the developers had found a happy medium between these two levels of racing difficulty.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 12/05/2006, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+ (for Violence)

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See all 24 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    The Best Car Game!!!

    What is SO fun about this game is that you can get police's attention and they chase you. AWESOME!!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative role models
    • Safety is an issue

    IT SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    it sucks really nfs most wanted is way better so do your self a favor and don't get this game get most wanted and most wanted is cheaper than carbon

  4. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Horrible!

    I don't really like this game. To be honest I don't even like any of the car chasing games. But my brother is so into this. -Bummer-

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 2.0

    it is a mistake

    they should rate this t

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