This game is sort of like a mix between NFSU 1 and 2, which makes it just right. Best racing game I've played on the PSP
::::::SINGLEPLAYER:::::: The singleplayer game is extremely long with lots of variety and extras. There are 7 different race modes, 3 of which are new. :::Game Modes::: circuit, lap knockout, rally relay (choose your 2 best cars, race one lap with one car, and then race the next lap with the other car), street cross(racing on a small track, lots of twists and turns), drift attack (drift around certain spots to earn points, you must have all the points it says you need to beat a drift attack run [it's kind of mediocre]), nitrous run ( you start out wth a full nitrous bar and try to pass through as many gates as possible before time runs out, you nitrous bar is filled when you pass through a gate), and drag racing. Instead of an Underground mode like in other NFSU games, the career racing is split into two parts: Circuit race and quick play battle. In circuit race mode their are 4 difficulties: novice, pro, master, and car spec (their is a race for each car model in the game, you race 3 of the same cars). In each difficulty (novice, pro, and master only) their are circuit races, lap knockout race, and rally relay races. In each mode (lap knockout, rally relay,...) their are 4 races, each with a bronze, silver, and gold medal to win. Quick play battle consists of street cross, drift attack, nitrous run (it's very fun, especially when you go off jumps) and drag races. This gives the game much more variety so you don't get bored with circuit races. There are 10 races for each game mode in quick play battle, each with bronze, silver, and gold medals. One thing about NFSU rivals that is nice is that you don't play one race at a time, you can skip around between different game modes and stuff. This makes the game great for on the go. There is one other Singleplayer thing on the Main menu besides Quick Play Battle and circuit race, called "Race Now." It lets you jump into any circuit race/track you want with any car you want and customize the amount of traffic, # of laps, opponent skill, and track direction (forward or reverse). You can also do a max spec trial race, where you jump into a random tricked out car in a random high intensity race. It is ment for newbies to preview what they will unlock in the game.
:::RaceTracks::: There are 10 different circuit tracks (each with multiple shortcuts), 4 street cross tracks, 8 drift attack tracks, and 3 drag tracks. You can play any of the circuit races in reverse if you want.
:::Cars::: There are 24 cars to collect (20 models, 4 of the cars are boss cars)in the game. You have to buy these cars with money you earn from winning races. You have to unlock perfomance parts by doing the career mode, and then you can buy them. You also have to unlock the visual upgrades by doing career mode, but they are free. There are tons of visual upgrades in the game like body kits, hoods, spoilers, roof scoops, rims, vinals, etc. Furthermore, there are 4 boss cars to unlock that are tricked out (you can't change the visual upgrades), it says how to unlock them in the gamespot hints.
::::::MULTIPLAYER:::::: You can do head to head wireless with another player in your area ( you can do all the game modes and customize the races), and party play where you and up tp 3 other players can compete and pass around the PSP. The multiplayer is very fun, especially when you have 4 players.
::::POCKET TRAX:::: Like usual, the NFSU soundtrack is awesome. you can customize the tracks, and their are 2 music videos in the pocket trax.
Overall this game rules and you will not get bored of it, it's just too fun.