System: Microsoft Xbox 360

Also available for: Sony PlayStations 2 and 3, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, Windows PC, Mobile

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Reviewer’s rating: **1/2

ESRB rating: Everyone 10+

Game type: Racing

Kind of like: “Need For Speed Carbon,” “Gran Turismo”

Best feature: Custom car tuning; damage affects performance

Worst feature: Unrealistic driving, handling; beyond cheesy announcer

The bottom line: At times, “Need for Speed ProStreet” seems like two games at the same time. Going back to the franchise’s traditional track-racing roots, “ProStreet” also tries to capitalize on the increasing mainstream popularity of street racing and import culture in a game that doesn’t quite feel like either.

Racing is fairly standard, but most cars drive and handle too similarly to really distinguish them. The fine touch required in hardcore driving simulations like “Gran Turismo” or “Forza” is a non-factor here. How much that matters really depends on the player. There are a variety of race modes—including drifting, an inexact science for sure, and drag racing—which help to break up the monotony of lap-based courses.

The strength of “ProStreet” has to come from its custom tuning options. Although the changes applied are often subtle, they do affect performance enough that it will inspire the gearhead in you. Gear ratios, downforce and cam timing, to name a few, are all adjustable, but the function isn’t so complicated that you’ll need to be a pit crew chief to understand. Damage also affects performance, which will make you think twice before punching that nitrous booster in your 600-horsepower Skyline GT-R.

All the races in “ProStreet” are on set tracks with laps or heats. Everything is handled professionally, like a pro tour format—take a look across the Bay at the St. Pete Grand Prix’s street racing exhibitions to know exactly what we mean. But so many set pieces, complete with barriers and grandstands, creates too artificial of an experience. And it’s because of this traditional, neutered format that “ProStreet” loses the raw edge that should come with a title based on street racing.