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Shame on Rockstar Games. The success of "Midnight Club II" has everyone knee-deep in felonies. Label Electronic Arts the latest offender, given that street racing simulation "Need for Speed: Underground" features more fatal crashes than Ford's entire Pinto production run. It's all in good fun though, as you'll see when we keep things fast and furious on tonight's "X-Play."

Choices, choices...

Multiple game variants greet the aspiring hoodlum upon reaching the main menu. While quick races, two-player split-screen options and online match-ups entertain, it's advised that you dive into the go underground, or solo career modes, from the start. As the meat and potatoes, it's here wannabe kingpins meet shady challengers, interact with foxy females, and pursue a loosely tied together campaign.

Under this particular alternative, you'll face a series of 111 demanding challenges divided into five categories: drift, drag, sprint, circuit, and lap knockout. Deliberately extending the replay value, some contests revolve around shifting gears at the right time while others focus on speed, consistency, or simply your powersliding skill. As a whole, the selection proves widely diverse and eminently entertaining -- if a tad difficult. Returning fans will note that winning lap-based events still depends on seeking out the numerous shortcuts, which populate every neon-soaked track.

Attitude is everything

Cash prizes are awarded for each victory, but within the context of play, looking like a million bucks means more than being worth it. While money is used for visual and performance upgrades ranging from spoilers to rims and fluorescent underlighting, style points -- awarded for attempting crazy stunts -- possess greater value. Acquiring them is the surest way to unlock new parts, vehicles, and tracks. Most of the functional bonuses you'll buy merely increase a reputation multiplier that affects this tally, anyway. Furthermore, it won't matter that you can meet an accessory's asking price if you haven't built up enough juice to buy it in the first place. Want that turbo booster? Count on having to earn it.

As should be apparent by now, one's street cred isn't just for show. This ranking determines which tournaments and competitions you can enter. Recognizable names get more respect, which in turn yields greater earning potential. Therefore, it's vital wheelmen focus on turning in textbook performances, especially since a lucky chump can find his way onto a magazine cover with a particularly impressive run. Grace the front of an international publication, and it'll do wonders for your image.

Someone's an underachiever

On the downside, deep as peripheral options are, the title doesn't feel like much of a step forward from its predecessor, "Hot Pursuit 2." Adjustments to the formula that include an attitude shift, fresh paint job, and smarmy cinematics don't really differentiate the titles all that much. Although handling feels improved since the previous outing, as does stage design, the underlying play mechanics won't floor repeat customers. Slow-mo crashes and aggressive AI opponents are nice touches... they just aren't what anyone would dub revolutionary ones. Suffice it to say the game is more a lateral move for the franchise than a forward step.

Admittedly, "Underground" scores big in terms of variety. Simply outfitting your roadster with decals, bumpers, and other goodies can take hours alone, even with frustratingly lengthy memory-card save sequences discounted. Factor in the immense track roster -- airport construction zones, narrow byways and traffic-laden intersections -- and numerous game variants, and you're looking at a serious time killer. However, those who enjoyed previous "Need for Speed" games may feel cheated.

Love at first sight

Of course, harboring any ill will is difficult once you see the game in motion. Twenty cars are featured from manufacturers such as Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Toyota -- every one a welcome sight. Gleaming hardbodies greet grease monkeys at every turn, as do nighttime courses set in universally urban locales lit up like a Fourth of July parade. Watching as crashes prompt showers of sparks is truly an uplifting sight. You'll love that rain-slicked streets that glisten in the light of overhanging lampposts blur into one lovely haze when the nitrous kicks in.

Of sound mind and body

A slammin' soundtrack also serves "Underground" well. Exclusive material from acts like Petey Pablo and Nate Dogg complement the atmosphere perfectly, as do sound effects ripped straight from a bumper's worst nightmare. The development team has done a marvelous job capturing the feel of the illicit racing circuit, and licensed cuts from Rancid, Dilated Peoples, and Rob Zombie only reinforce the point.

Rock and roll...

Do yourself a favor, strap on a seatbelt and give "Underground" a test drive. Warts aside, it takes the "Need for Speed" franchise and kicks it into high gear with predominantly satisfying results.

"Need for Speed: Underground" (PS2)