# Need for Speed: Most Wanted (Nintendo DS) Introduction ## Overview *Need for Speed: Most Wanted*, released on November 15, 2005, for the Nintendo DS by Electronic Arts and developed by EA Canada, is a racing game and the ninth title in the *Need for Speed* series. Set in the fictional city of Rockport, players aim to climb the Blacklist, a ranking of 15 elite street racers, to reclaim their stolen BMW M3 GTR from Razor. The DS version adapts the console’s open-world racing with police pursuits, simplified customization, and touch-screen features like nitro boosts and car tuning. Praised for its portable action and dual-screen use (*IGN*: 7.5/10), it was criticized for pixelated visuals and limited customization compared to consoles (*GameSpot*: 6.8/10) (*Web:3,5,14*). ## Why Play Need for Speed: Most Wanted? *Need for Speed: Most Wanted* on DS delivers thrilling street racing across 20+ events. Players race in Circuit, Sprint, Drag, and Pursuit Knockout modes, using cars like the Mazda RX-8 or Porsche Cayman, with upgrades for engines, tires, and nitro via touch-screen menus. Police chases add intensity, with heat levels rising as cops deploy spike strips. The game spans 4-6 hours, with races lasting 1-3 minutes. Its top-down 3D visuals, live-action cutscenes, and rap-heavy soundtrack appeal to *Need for Speed: Underground 2 (DS)* and *Spider-Man: Battle for New York* fans, distinct from *Ninja Gaiden Shadow*’s action or *Captain Tsubasa V*’s sports RPG (*Web:3,5,9*). ## Key Features - Race through Rockport in a 4-6 hour campaign - Customize cars with performance upgrades via touch screen - Compete in Circuit, Sprint, Drag, and Pursuit Knockout races - Evade cops with spike strips and heat-level pursuits - Multiplayer for up to four players via wireless - Authentic DS gameplay on our retro ROM platform ## Key Differences: Nintendo DS vs. Other Versions - **Nintendo DS (2005)**: 3D top-down racing, touch-screen nitro/tuning, no free roam (*Web:3,5*). - **Compared to Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005, GBA)**: DS is 3D, uses dual screens; GBA is 2D, simpler visuals (*Web:5,9*). - **Compared to Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005, PS2/Xbox/GC)**: DS lacks open-world, has touch controls; consoles are 3D, story-driven (*Web:3,5,14*). - **Compared to Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0 (2005, PSP)**: DS has touch-screen tuning; PSP has Tuner Takedown mode (*Web:5,14*). - **Compared to Need for Speed: Underground 2 (2005, DS)**: *Most Wanted* adds Blacklist, pursuits; *Underground 2* focuses on customization (*Web:0,2*). - **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. ## Play Need for Speed: Most Wanted Online Play *Need for Speed: Most Wanted* (2005, DS) instantly on Classic Joy Games with DS emulators. Available on retro platforms with 4.3/5 ratings from 30 votes (*Web:9*). Physical copies cost $15-$40 (cart) or $50-$120 (CIB) (*Web:5*). Use DeSmuME or RetroArch. Strategy: Upgrade tires for Drift; save nitro for Pursuit escapes. Cheat: At main menu, press Up, Down, Up, Down, L, R, Select for all cars unlocked. Note: Emulators may lag during high-heat pursuits or touch-screen menus (*Web:10*). X posts note its iconic status but highlight DS graphical limits (*post:4,6*). Join Classic Joy Games and conquer the Blacklist now!