Need For Speed: Most Wanted

Review

Common Sense Media says

Cops vs. street racers challenge rewards recklessness.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning1
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
10
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Need of Speed: Most Wanted is an arcade-style racing game that encourages reckless driving. Drivers try to break the rules and evade the police and get rewarded for it. The game also has an option for open chat that is unmoderated.

  • Positive messages0
    While clearly rooted in fiction, the game encourages drivers to race recklessly around a city and avoid the police who pursue you. In fact, you can also smash the police into objects or cut them off and earn points for doing so. As a result, this game does not give a good positive message.
  • Positive role models0
    You do not play as any one character in particular other than a generic "driver." You're simply taking on racing challenges spread throughout a large and interactive city. But because you're rewarded for evading the police or causing them to crash, you aren't a good role model.  
  • Ease of play4
    Unlike many other driver games, Need For Speed: Most Wanted has many assists that make the game easier to play. This includes handling the car as well as finding and upgrading other cars. If you want more control, you can turn off these aids.
  • Violence2
    The game has many crash scenes, often slowed down for dramatic effect. You can cause other cars to crash, including the police, but no one gets hurt in this game. You can smash into oncoming traffic, but you're penalized for doing so as you'll fall behind in the race to the finish.
  • Sex2
    Some suggestive business signs can be seen throughout the city, such as a delivery company like FedEx called "GoodsEX" (say it out loud and you'll get it). There is also a massage parlor sign with a company called Roman Hands.
  • Consumerism3
    This game has more than 100 licensed cars -- such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi -- but the town name is fictitious, as are the billboards that advertise products. The music soundtrack features real artists.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Some ads for alcohol.
  • Privacy & safety1
    Creates privacy and safety concerns. Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version of the game support open chatting when played online, and there is no one who monitors or filters the conversation. As a result, gamers might hear profanity or inappropriate language (such as racial remarks), and be asked inappropriate questions from strangers.  
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What kids can learn

1

Need For Speed: Most Wanted wasn't created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.
 

Subjects
  • Science
    engineering, motion, physics
  • Social Studies
  • Arts
  • Hobbies
Skills
  • Emotional Development
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
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What's it about?

The seminal arcade racing game is back. Developed by Criterion Games, NEED FOR SPEED: MOST WANTED is a cops-versus-street-racers challenge that lets you hop into a number of exotic vehicles to burn asphalt throughout the fictional Fairhaven City. In the lengthy single-player game, the first few missions give you a good taste of how the licensed cars handle on the roads, along with the sensation of serious speed (200 miles per hour), drifting around corners and seeking out shortcuts (and jumps) to get an edge over the stiff competition. If you cause too much damage while vying for the finish line, you’ll find yourself pursued by the police and must shake them. Place in first, second, or third to rack up points, which can be spent on modifying your ride. Score enough points and you’ll earn the ability to take on 10 of the hottest cars in the game to climb the ranks of the "Most Wanted."

Is it any good?

 

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is great fun for those old enough to understand that this isn't how car drivers should behave. Along with the fast and furious single-player game modes -- like Ambush, Sprint Race, Speed Run, and Circuit race -- online multiplayer bumps up the fun even further. But be aware you need to sign up for Electronic Arts’ Origin game service to play against others. It’s free, but mandatory, and some gamers aren’t thrilled about it (this is on top of the Xbox Live or PlayStation Network service). You can then challenge friends to games or a number of consecutive events, or compare your skills with others thanks to EA’s Autolog 2.0 technology that displays all of your stats -- including times, record speeds, pursuits, jump distances, achievements, and more.

Overall, Need For Speed: Most Wanted is a visceral thrill. Not only do you get to race and modify many different dream cars, but it’s an open world with a number of areas, collectibles and game modes to explore. Plus, instead of having to wait to drive the cars you want –- which is how most car racing games work –- practically every car is available from the get-go in Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The game’s motto is “if you can find it, you can drive it,” therefore you’re rewarded for venturing out in Fairhaven.

 

Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about how video games often provide a virtual thrill by letting you do things you can't or wouldn't do in real life.

  • Families can also discuss responsible driving. Parents who have teens learning to drive may want to consider studies that suggest playing some racing games can lead to taking more driving risks in real life and share it with their children.

This review of Need For Speed: Most Wanted was written by

What kids can learn

1

Need For Speed: Most Wanted wasn't created with educational intent, and we don't recommend it for learning.
 

Subjects
  • Language & Reading: following directions
  • Math:
  • Science: engineering, motion, physics
  • Social Studies:
  • Arts:
  • Hobbies:
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, decision-making, strategy
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction: time management, work to achieve goals
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication:
  • Collaboration:
  • Responsibility & Ethics: learning from consequences
  • Tech Skills:
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

The seminal arcade racing game is back. Developed by Criterion Games, NEED FOR SPEED: MOST WANTED is a cops-versus-street-racers challenge that lets you hop into a number of exotic vehicles to burn asphalt throughout the fictional Fairhaven City. In the lengthy single-player game, the first few missions give you a good taste of how the licensed cars handle on the roads, along with the sensation of serious speed (200 miles per hour), drifting around corners and seeking out shortcuts (and jumps) to get an edge over the stiff competition. If you cause too much damage while vying for the finish line, you’ll find yourself pursued by the police and must shake them. Place in first, second, or third to rack up points, which can be spent on modifying your ride. Score enough points and you’ll earn the ability to take on 10 of the hottest cars in the game to climb the ranks of the "Most Wanted."

This review of Need For Speed: Most Wanted was written by
Kid, 11 years old
January 26, 2013
AGE
14
 
Learning1
Great Game with one teensy weeny problem
The game is a good game but has a fake radio station that contains a song about a weatherman. There are about 15-20 f words in just that song. Other than that the came is completely clean with great graphics.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
January 3, 2013
AGE
12
 
Learning0
Very Good
NFS Most Wanted is a very fun game. It may teach bad lessons of speeding and joy riding but it is worth it. Depending on the age of course. Buy it!
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
May 5, 2013
AGE
6
 
NFS MW - good for young kids
I have been playing the need for speed series for a while now, and this is a very good title. Young kids could get frustrated at not being able to complete a race, but the violence is light and does not feel that real. Ok for 6 year olds in my opinion, so long as they dont get addicted to it, or get frustrated easily. Apparently the Weatherman song has swearing in it, but i have looked up the lyrics and found none. This is a good game to give to older kids instead of giving them more violent games.
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Kid, 11 years old
March 3, 2013
AGE
10
 
Learning0
Okay, but innapropriate sign in the industrial district
Okay for kids who won't be scared by cop chases, graphic crashes, and who won't do it in real life. However, one sign seen frequently in the industrial district is based on FedEx, but instead says GoodsEx. Good sex? YOU WOULD, EA!
What other families should know:
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Helped me decide (1) | Had useful details (1) | Read my mind (2)
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Teen, 15 years old
April 25, 2013
AGE
10
 
NFS is a totally appropriate game!
Need for Speed(NFS) is a totally appropriate game for younger audiences. If you're child is heavily influenced by games than he could become a reckless driver but this is unlikely. Although you can get chased by cops and take out the cop cars there is no proof of death and the pursuing cops say only that the car has been "taken down".
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This review of Need For Speed: Most Wanted was written by
Topics:cars and trucks, adventures
Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Racing
Developer:Electronic Arts
Release date:October 30, 2012
Price:$59.99
ESRB rating:E10+ for Alcohol Reference, Comic Mischief, Violence (PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Xbox 360)
This review of Need For Speed: Most Wanted was written by

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