Parents' Guide to Need for Speed Most Wanted

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Common Sense Media Review

Chris Morris By Chris Morris , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Fast-paced racer fun to play but encourages recklessness.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 8+

Based on 5 kid reviews

What's It About?

Players control the direction of their cars by tilting their device right or left. Acceleration is automatic by default, but can be manually controlled if players want. Swiping a finger up the screen causes a speed boost and holding one down on the right side allows cars to drift. (Holding a finger on the left side of the screen applies the vehicle's brake.) Players must decide when best to use their boost to get ahead of competitors -- and outrun the law. Boost can be refilled by forcing other cars (including police) to wreck.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say ( 5 ):

Like its console cousin, Need for Speed Most Wanted is fast, furious fun -- but only for people who realize that it all takes place in a world of make believe. The game's incredible graphics and smart pacing really re-create the sensation of speed, and there's an adrenaline rush that comes with passing an opponent.

While we certainly wouldn't endorse evading the police, their addition here bumps up the fun factor -- giving what could be a pick-up-and-play-then-forget racer a unique twist that makes you want to come back and keep playing. A downside is that the customization options seem limited compared to the console edition. But that's hardly enough to justify bypassing this terrific title.

App Details

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