Until they make Cock Busters: Ultimate Fighting Cocks, Base Jump: World Tour or Bear Baiting: Final Evolution, Need For Speed is the only videogame that justifies its 'Underground' subtitle. It's properly illegal and dangerous, and should you get caught being 'bad' you'll end up with a stint in chokey or paying a hefty fine. As a result, whenever street racing gets mentioned, it comes with a scary disclaimer. It's not just EA covering its back - even the underground web fan sites see fit to warn their readers with the slogan, "Most of these images feature individuals doing an illegal activity. We do not sponsor or condone these activities. *Do not do this!*"

To be fair, it's not surprising. People could get seriously hurt here... Speed anarchists make fast cars even faster through extensive modification and race them in excess of 200mph around busy city suburbs. (In one video clip, we saw a car clock in at 205mph). It's like Formula One without any safety measures and a 4ft base tube in the boot. The soundtrack is hip-hop, the dress code is baggy and phat, the race time is always after midnight and if you're scared of getting caught you might as well stay home and suck ass, dawg. Or play Need For Speed instead.

We know the vibe of Need For Speed is authentic because it has been given approval by the kinds that do this shiznit for real. EA sent out early copies of the game to the 'scene' and they're really into it. Unfortunately, the street racing 'scene' in the UK tends to be thought of as wide boys with modified Fiestas and rough tarts getting their tits out in car parks. We've all seen those lurid car/grumble mags replete with low-rent glamour models posing with suspension strings wedged between their breasts. It's all a bit tacky. A bit... Razzle.

Well, Need For Speed: Underground ain't like that. It's got the West Coast Swagger that an industrial estate near Colchester will never muster. The cars might be similar but the neon cityscapes, swooshing street lighting and wide roads are a world apart. It's wrong - as we're constantly reminded - but when you're going 140mph down a deserted freeway at 2am, leggy babe in the passenger seat, ICE pumping out a joint, window rolled down, it's righter than right. You can see why people live for their rides.

Above five races into the game you're given the chance to start customising your vehicle. That's when you start living for your ride. Virtually every element is customisable from vinyl stickers to under-chassis neons. And that's just the outside. Upgrading your engine, drivetrain, brakes and ECU, adding turbos and NOS drastically affects speed, handling and acceleration, ultimately making for an even more thrilling drive. Usefully, NFS constantly reminds you when new parts and upgrades become available for purchase and recommends when to buy them. It wasn't long before our conservative Honda Civic became The Black Studwagon - black gloss paint, white 'tear' stickers, spoiler, fat bumpers, race hood and those pointless red lights under the chassis.

In the street racing hierarchy, reputation is everything - it's a 'my Dodge Neon is bigger than yours' world. The look of your car determines your rep, which is indicated in NFS with a star rating. The better known you become, the more media attention you receive. Imagine our pride when The Black Studwagon featured on the cover of the German edition of Auto Express! Bravado dictated we parade around the room, adopting the cowboy stance, winking at women and whispering, "Wanna see my new car stickers, baby?"

Racing in NFS is punctuated by rollercoaster speed. It's the first game since TimeSplitters 2 that has to be played with matchsticks wedged in your eye sockets. Blink and you'll bury your ride into a solid object. But beautiful moments of clarity ensue when you're in complete control of the speed - and that's when the game really sings. It's the first racer in ages that had us properly buzzing.

Far from limiting players to circuit races, you've got drag sections - long straight runs reliant on carefully timed gear shifting (Christ, the intensity of car velocity here caused us vision shifts) - point-to-point dashes, against the clock sections, and, the only weak link, skid pan 'drift' challenges. Each helps you build up your rep, your style points and the monetary rewards to further embellish your very own personal Studwagon. And arguably the best thing of all: after a while we wanted to be part of this way of life for real.

You probably don't need another racer for your PS2. You're either happy enough with Burnout 2 or holding out for the elusive GT4 (does that game actually exist?). True, Need For Speed: Underground is, at heart, just another diving game with added Hollywood sparkle. But consider this: it's the first driving game in ages that has obtained a new level of speed.

Think how Manhunt will take violence to new depths. It'll be obscene. It'll be disturbing. Need For Speed: Underground does the same for the internal combustion engine. It's perilously out of control. It's breakneck. You need to experience it. Somewhat handily, the game's title is - for once - self-explanatory.

Graphics 90%
Hollywood doesn't do much better than this!

Sound 80%
Thuggish hip-hop and shout rock.

Gameplay 90%
Like you dream a fast car would handle.

Lifespan 80%
Big, but never overwhelming. Online modes too!

Overall 90%
Street racing plus huge wodges of cash equals a fast, furious game that's executed with filmic sheen. Simply irresistible.