Need for Speed: Carbon

Need for Speed: Carbon
European cover art featuring a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX and a Dodge Challenger drifting through a corner.
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Composer(s)Trevor Morris
SeriesNeed for Speed
Platform(s)
Release
October 31, 2006
  • Mobile
    • UK: October 27, 2006[1]
    • NA: November 30, 2006
    DS, GBA, GC, PSP, Xbox
    • NA: October 31, 2006[3]
    • EU: November 3, 2006[2]
    • AU: November 9, 2006
    PS2, Windows, Xbox 360
    • NA: October 31, 2006[3]
    • EU: November 3, 2006[2]
    • AU: November 16, 2006
    PlayStation 3
    Wii
    • NA: November 19, 2006[3]
    • EU: December 8, 2006[6]
    • AU: December 14, 2006
    Mac OS X
    Arcade
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)

Need for Speed: Carbon is a 2006 racing video game and the tenth installment in the Need for Speed series. Developed by EA Black Box, Rovio Mobile and published by Electronic Arts, it was released on October 31, 2006, for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Windows, and Mac OS X, and on November 19, 2006 as a launch title for the Wii and in 2008 for arcade cabinets. A portable version, Need for Speed: Carbon – Own the City, was released for the PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS.[10] and Zeebo,[11] While it featured similar gameplay to the console version, the portable versions included new or modified gameplay elements, a different setting and storyline, and a different selection of teammates.

Carbon's storyline takes place after the events of Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and sees players conducting illegal street races within the fictional city of Palmont City. The story focuses on the player's character taking control of the city from various street-racing gangs. While the gameplay is similar to its predecessor, Carbon introduced a number of new features, including crews and racing wingmen, Touge-styled racing events, and greater customization options.

Upon the release of Carbon, the game received positive reviews from critics, though it faced some criticism over elements of its gameplay mechanics, including a lack of emphasis on police chases compared to its predecessor. A special Collector's Edition version was also released for PlayStation 2, Windows and Xbox 360. It included additional content; such new cars, new customization items and new events for two of its game modes. As of 2021, download versions of the game are no longer available for purchase in any online stores, and online play was shut down on September 1.[12][13]

The game was succeeded by Need for Speed: ProStreet in 2007.

  1. ^ James, Chris (October 27, 2006). "New on O2". www.pocketgamer.com. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "NFS Carbon PC demo". Eurogamer.net. October 30, 2006. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "EA peels out PC NFS Carbon demo". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "PS3 launch line-up finalised". Eurogamer.net. March 22, 2007. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Sony's PS3 to hit Europe, Australia on March 23". Macworld. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "GONE IN 60 SECONDS…ALMOST!". GamesIndustry.biz. December 8, 2006. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "Hoor-EA! Mac games hit Apple store today". Engadget. July 15, 2016. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Leach, Gracie. "Need for Speed: Carbon - Macintosh Overview". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference monkey was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Need for Speed Carbon: Own the City Review". IGN. November 1, 2008. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  11. ^ Alexander, Leigh (May 27, 2009). "Zeebo Officially Launches In Brazil With FIFA, Need For Speed, Brain Challenge". Think Services. Archived from the original on November 12, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  12. ^ EA_David (May 31, 2021). "An-announcement-about-some-older-NFS-titles". EA Answers HQ. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  13. ^ Max_Joker (May 31, 2021). "Sun is setting on some older NFS titles – it's not you, it's us". r/needforspeed. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2021.