After what some considered a disappointing start on the PSP with NFS Rivals, EA has wasted little time in trying to readdress the balance with Most Wanted and, for the most part, it has succeeded. Predictably based on the console version, the story mode requires you to tear around the tarmac, raising hell and winning races in an attempt to make it onto the city’s Blacklist of illegal street-racers. This involves a mix of traditional spirit and drag racing, as well as the new Outrun challenges. The latter involves escaping from a slew of aggressive cops intent on taking you down. While initially this is enjoyable – using the numerous shortcuts on offer as well as your Speedbreaker to evade traps – after extended periods of play it does become a little tedious, as some pursuits drag on far longer than they should.

Although in Most Wanted car customization isn’t the main objective, winning races does earn you performance upgrades to make your journey from scrub to stud that little bit smoother. With or without pimping, the handling of the cars is pretty solid and there’s some fast action during races, although lack of any sort of damage to the cars is disappointing.