SPEED FREAKS.(Column)

Everyone knows the freaks come out at night. Freaky machines with ungodly wings affixed to the rear, coated with an endless assault of stickers and vinyl. Under the carbon fiber hoods lurk impossibly high-revving engines with the NOS juice ready to spray. Everything's tight: suspension, shocks, tires. Don't forget the polished Enkeis. Only the seriously freaky and furiously fast will survive in the Underground, the latest installment of Electronic Arts' long-running Need for Speed series of no-rules racing games.

Need for Speed Underground celebrates the urban street racing culture, where posing seems almost as important as winning. Before we went underground, we outfitted our stock Mazda RX-7 with aftermarket parts and accessories from more than 50 available real-world manufacturers. Decking out your car helps your reputation. Your rep aids in gaining you points quicker so you can unlock more goods and services.

After we got our RX-7 looking tight, it was time to take to the darkened streetscapes. Several options are available, including drag racing and drifting. But nothing beats screaming through some of the most amazing, originally designed environments and motion effects we've ever seen in a driving game. Think Blade Runner at 150 mph. Driving stylishly also aids in increasing your rep. There is a decided arcade action feel, especially when you hit the NOS or smash into an unfortunate motorist and your car flips wildly. But the vehicles also display realistic physics characteristics and respond well to the multitude of modifications you can make.

Need for Speed Underground has a killer soundtrack, and also has online features for the PlayStation2 and PC versions so you can see how you stack up. Beware, ...