# Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City Introduction ## Overview *Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City*, released on October 31, 2006, for the Nintendo DS by Electronic Arts and developed by Team Fusion and Exient Entertainment, is a racing game and a handheld spinoff of *Need for Speed: Carbon*. Set in the fictional Coast City, the player, recovering from amnesia after a deadly crash that killed their brother Mick, seeks revenge and control of the city’s racing territories with help from Mick’s girlfriend Sara and wingman Carter. Featuring unique events like Escape and Crew Takedown, it uses DS touch-screen controls for nitro and crew abilities. Praised for its story and customization (*IGN*: 7/10), it was criticized for inconsistent AI and pixelated visuals (*GameSpot*: 6.5/10) (*Web:3,9,12,24*). ## Why Play Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City? *Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City* delivers intense DS racing across 20+ events. Players customize cars like the Subaru Impreza or Chevrolet Cobalt SS with performance upgrades (nitro, tires) and visuals (vinyls, rims) via touch-screen menus. Race modes include Circuit, Sprint, Escape (evade rival crews), Delivery (race with packages), and Crew Takedown (eliminate rivals). Wingmen (Brawlers, Drafters, Assassins) are activated by tapping the touch screen, offering tactical boosts like spike strips. The game spans 4-6 hours, with races lasting 1-3 minutes. Its comic-style cutscenes and urban soundtrack appeal to *Need for Speed: Most Wanted (DS)* fans, distinct from *Ninja Gaiden Shadow*’s action or *Captain Tsubasa V*’s sports RPG (*Web:1,3,9,12*). ## Key Features - Conquer Coast City in a 4-6 hour campaign - Customize cars with touch-screen performance and visual upgrades - Compete in Circuit, Sprint, Escape, Delivery, and Crew Takedown races - Use wingmen with Brawler, Drafter, and Assassin abilities - Touch-screen nitro boosts and comic-style story - Authentic DS gameplay on our retro ROM platform ## Key Differences: Nintendo DS vs. Other Versions - **Nintendo DS (2006)**: 3D racing, touch-screen crew/nitro, no free roam (*Web:1,3,9*). - **Compared to Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City (2006, GBA)**: DS is 3D, touch controls; GBA is 2D, lacks free roam (*Web:9,15,23*). - **Compared to Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City (2006, PSP)**: DS lacks free roam, has touch controls; PSP has open-world (*Web:1,3,11*). - **Compared to Need for Speed: Carbon (2006, PS2/Xbox/GC)**: DS has unique story, no Autosculpt; consoles are open-world, canyon-focused (*Web:0,16*). - **Compared to Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005, DS)**: *Own the City* adds wingmen, story; *Most Wanted* has Blacklist (*Web:5*). - **Compared to Ninja Gaiden Shadow (1991, GB)**: Racing vs. ninja platformer. - **Compared to Dragon Warrior Monsters (1998, GBC)**: Racing vs. RPG. - **Compared to Super Robot Taisen Compact 3 (2003, WonderSwan)**: Racing vs. tactical RPG. - **Compared to Captain Tsubasa V (1994, SNES)**: Racing vs. soccer RPG. - **Other Versions**: Zeebo (2009, inferior port) (*Web:3,11*). ## Play Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City Online Play *Need for Speed: Carbon - Own the City* (2006, DS) instantly on Classic Joy Games with DS emulators. Available on retro platforms with 4.4/5 ratings from 11 votes (*Web:21*). Physical copies cost $10-$30 (cart) or $40-$100 (CIB) (*Web:17*). Use DeSmuME or RetroArch. Strategy: Use Assassin wingmen for Crew Takedown; upgrade nitro for Escape races. Cheat: At main menu, press Up, Down, Left, Right, L, R, Select for all upgrades unlocked. Note: Emulators may lag during touch-screen crew activations or busy races (*Web:12*). Recent X posts praise its unique DS story but note its dated graphics (*post:0*). Join Classic Joy Games and own Coast City’s streets now!