Need for Speed: Underground 2

Need for Speed: Underground 2

Developers
	EA Black Box
Publishers
	Electronic Arts
Engines
	EAGL 2
Release dates
Windows	November 9, 2004
Reception
Metacritic	82
IGDB	79
Taxonomy
Monetization	One-time game purchase, Sponsored
Modes	Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing	Real-time
Perspectives	First-person, Third-person
Controls	Direct control
Genres	Racing
Vehicles	Automobile, Street racing
Art styles	Realistic
Themes	Contemporary
Series	Need for Speed: Underground, Need for Speed

Need for Speed: Underground
Subseries of Need for Speed
Need for Speed: Underground	2003
Need for Speed: Underground 2	2004

Warnings

SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see Availability for affected versions).

Need for Speed: Underground 2 is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person and third-person racing game in the Need for Speed: Underground and Need for Speed series.

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		SafeDisc v4 DRM. Has both a 2 CD and a DVD version.

SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).

All versions require SafeDisc V4 DRM.

A compilation of the original Need for Speed: Underground, Underground 2 and Most Wanted is also available.

A faithful, higher quality icon can be found on DeviantArt. An alternate icon by AlexKVideos1 can be found on SteamGridDB.

Demo

A playable demo is available on the Internet Archive.

Progress will not be carried over to the main game.

Essential improvements

Patches

Patch 1.2. Strongly recommended.

Skip intro videos

Invalidate the corresponding files
Go to <path-to-game>\MOVIES\ Delete, move or rename ealogo.vp6, FMVOpening.vp6, PSA.vp6, and THX_logo.vp6.

Use ThirteenAG's Widescreen Fix
Install ThirteenAG's fix. Set SkipIntro setting to 1 in its .ini file.

Disable regional lock

Allows playing with both EU and US exclusive cars at the same time.

Instructions[citation needed]

Download ZIP files containing the files for the cars missing from your version of the game. If you have the US version, download Peugeot 106 and the Vauxhall Corsa. If you have the EU version, download Honda Civic and Acura RSX. Copy the contents of the CARS folder of both ZIP files into <path-to-game>\CARS\. This should result in two new folders named PEUGOT106 and CORSA in <path-to-game>\CARS\. Copy the contents of the Saves folder of both ZIP files into %LOCALAPPDATA%\NFS Underground 2\. This should result in two new files named 106 and Corsa in %LOCALAPPDATA%\NFS Underground 2\. Download Need for Speed Underground 2 Extra Options. Unpack the archive, go to NFSU2 Extra Options\Main Files folder and copy both dinput8.dll file and scripts folder into the installation folder. Make sure that the option UnlockRegionalCars in scripts\NFSU2ExtraOptionsSettings.ini is set to 1. Use the US executable to launch the game (even if you have the EU version), otherwise it may crash.[citation needed]

Controller support improvements (NFSU XtendedInput)

Improves gamepad support by implementing native XInput support into the game.

Xbox and PlayStation button prompts are both supported.

Reimplements console-like controls with being able to rotate the car carousel in Garage with the right stick.

Rebinding can be made only through .ini file. It's disabled in game menu, as for now it crashes the game.

Controller vibration is not supported

Controls are reset to default.

Can be installed alongside both ThirteenAG's Widescreen Fix and NFSU2 Extra Options, as it uses ThirteenAG's Ultimate ASI Loader (the included dinput8.dll, which is a DLL injector) and therefore will load the .asi files for all three mods, and was developed with compatibility with the other two mods in mind.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\EA Games\Need for Speed Underground 2\

Key bindings are stored in %COMMONPROGRAMFILES%\DirectX\DirectInput\User Maps (32-bit Windows) or %COMMONPROGRAMFILES(x86)%\DirectX\DirectInput\User Maps (64-bit Windows).

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	%LOCALAPPDATA%\NFS Underground 2\

Video

General video settings

Advanced video settings

Advanced video settings

Advanced video settings

Graphics feature	State	WSGF	Notes
Widescreen resolution			Use ThirteenAG's fix.
Multi-monitor			Use ThirteenAG's fix.
Ultra-widescreen			Use ThirteenAG's fix and Ultrawide (21:9) Fix.
4K Ultra HD			Use ThirteenAG's fix.
Field of view (FOV)		Use ThirteenAG's fix.
Windowed		See Windowed.
Borderless fullscreen windowed		See Windowed.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)		FSAA
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS		Multiplayer Outrun is capped at 30 FPS. Frame rate is capped at 120 FPS. See High frame rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)		See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Use NFSU2 HUD Resizer to modify the offset values of the HUD elements.

Windowed

Set windowed/borderless/windowed with resizing
Install ThirteenAG's fix. Set WindowedMode to desired value. 1 for borderless, 2 for border, 3 for resizeable border.

High frame rate

Change FPSLimit[citation needed]

Install ThirteenAG's fix. Open scripts\NFSUnderground2.WidescreenFix.ini. Set FPSLimit = 120 to desired frame rate limit. Notes Includes 60FPSCutscenes = 1 by default. Rain particles will not function properly at more than 60 FPS. If the rain does not work in Windows 7 or 10 follow this guide: Effects flicker (Windows 7 and 10). Gear changes are tied to the frame rate. Multiplayer Outrun mode is 30 FPS capped.

Input

Input settings

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping		Requires the DirectInput Mapper to remember bindings between sessions.
Mouse acceleration		Mouse is used only in menus. Default Windows behavior
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion		Fixed view
Controller
Controller support		Use ThirteenAG's fix to adjust deadzone.
Full controller support		Use NFSU XtendedInput
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion		Unused

Controller types

Generic/other controllers

Additional information
Controller hotplugging		Use NFSU XtendedInput
Haptic feedback		DirectInput controllers only.
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio settings

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls		Master, Menu Music, In-Game Music, Speech, Effects, Tires and Engine sliders available.
Surround sound		Only Stereo and Mono available. Optimized for Dolby Pro Logic.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support		Although not advertised as such the game does support EAX, at least reverb effects, but without surround sound. It can be restored with ALchemy.
Royalty free audio		The main menu uses licensed music. It is hardcoded to play Riders on the Storm (ft. The Doors) by Snoop Dogg every time the game starts.

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English				UK and US English.
Traditional Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish				Local retail only.
Brazilian Portuguese				Translation.
Russian				Local retail only, download.
Slovak				Fan translation, download here or alternative translation here.
Spanish
Thai

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Native	Players	Notes
Local play		Console versions only.
LAN play		6
Online play		6	The official EA server was shut down in November 2007

VR support

3D modes	Native	Notes
vorpX		G3D User created game profile, see vorpx forum profile introduction.

Issues fixed

Custom bindings lost on game restart

Windows Vista and later lack a file needed for the game to remember custom mappings.

Download dimap.dll
Download dimap.dll. Extract it into the installation folder.

Controller deadzone issues

Fix left stick deadzone
Install ThirteenAG's fix. Deadzone can be adjusted in NFSUnderground2.WidescreenFix.ini.

Use NFSU-XtendedInput

The game doesn't load (crashes during loading screen)

This is likely caused by multi-monitor setups using multiple GPU's.^{[citation needed]}

Potential workaround[citation needed]
Turn off monitors which use another GPU or monitor duplication when starting up the game Turn it on once the game finishes loading if you still need them

Random crashing on entering/exiting shops

Can be caused by multiple CPUs.

Set affinity for speed2.exe to use only 1 CPU[citation needed]
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc) Click "set Affinity..." Untick all but ONE of the CPUs Click OK

Use ThirteenAG's Widescreen Fix
Install ThirteenAG's fix. Make sure SingleCoreAffinity setting is set to 1. Recent changes in Widescreen Fix for NFSU2 include improved routines for single core performance.

Use compatibility mode[citation needed]
Open Properties from SPEED2.EXE Go to Compatibility Tab Set "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 2) Click OK

Effects flicker (Windows 7 and 10)

Some effects, such as rain, car respawn effect or the nos flames, flicker or glitch. Otherwise, no issues.^{[citation needed]}

Use compatibility mode[citation needed]
Open Properties from SPEED2.EXE Go to Compatibility Tab Set "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 2) Click OK

Use dgVoodoo 2[citation needed]

Particle system lag (Windows 10)

Particle system causes lag, mostly at start of races, turning it off gets rid of the issue.

Fullscreen Exclusive Mode causes lag

Optionally it is possible to disable VSync through video card settings, and keep Particle System on.

Run game in Windowed or Borderless Mode
Go to Windowed section

Use compatibility mode[citation needed]
Open Properties from SPEED2.EXE Go to Compatibility Tab Set "Run this program in compatibility mode for: Windows XP (Service Pack 2) Click OK

Change FPSLimit[citation needed]
Install Need for Speed Underground 2 Widescreen Fix. Open scripts\NFSUnderground2.WidescreenFix.ini. Set FPSLimit = 120 to 60.

Savegame name turned to random symbols, unable to save

This is likely extremely rare to occur.

Relaunch the game(this rollbacks progress to last time you saved)[citation needed]

Change the savegame name variable[citation needed]

Keep the game running Download Cheat Engine Select the NFS Underground 2 proccess Select "String" in "Value Type" Tick the "Codepage" checkbox In "Text" enter first symbols of the changed savegame name (use Process Monitor and track the SPEED2.exe proccess WriteFile operations if unable to recognize the symbol) Press "First Scan" Select found values and double tap them or press the red arrow In the below window, change "Value" of the found values to your original savegame name Save the game

Music stops playing after Alt-Tab out of game window focus

Pause, return to the garage, then return to explore mode or the race

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	9.0c

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows

Having the game running in the background can affect audio of other programs, generally eliminating sounds below a certain decibel level. It's recommended to close the game to avoid this problem.

Modifications

Some mods could break LAN multiplayer mode component, making it impossible to host/join LAN servers.

HD Reflections

Changes resolution of reflections.

HUD Resizer

Adds ability to change HUD and FMV scale.

Extra Options

Adds many useful features and fixes.

Unlimiter

Fixes some issues and makes some improvements for add-on cars and events.

ZPatch

Fixes off-center window and mouse cursor in borderless windowed mode.

The game will always look for keyboard input even after alt-tabbing.

Videos ported from Xbox

Adds higher quality videos from the Xbox version.

Xbox Rain Droplets

Basic implementation of Xbox rain droplets from SkyGFX for other games.

Visual Reputation Remover

Makes it possible to progress through the game without ricing the car.

NFS Underground 2 Music Importer

Makes it possible to replace in-game tracks with user .mp3 or .wav.

Uncensored & Restored Soundtrack

Restores every single song in the game to their full, unedited and/or uncensored and higher quality versions.

Olympic Imports

Aims to add the cut cars from beta/NFSUG1 and Underground Rivals back into Need for Speed Underground 2.

Requires Unlimiter and Car Sound Tuner to avoid crashes and bugs.

Scout's UI Remaster

Replaces low-res GUI and HUD graphics with high-res counterparts.

This mod is discontinued.

NFSU2: Upscaled HUD by LunicAura

A recreation of NFSU2's UI using mostly vector materials, with original texture proportions to help keep the same look.

Certain icons will appear different than their vanilla counterparts.

New HD Textures Pack

Remakes some of the ground textures to be as close to the originals as possible.

Author of this mod recommends to use 8K HDRI Skyboxes mod.

Lightsiders Global

Enhances the visuals of the game.

Does not require Texmod.

Deviates from the original look of the game.

Archived download link

NFS Underground 2 High Vision 1.10

Graphics improvement mod.

A set of textures from different authors in one package.

Need for Speed Underground 2 Last Breath

Improves the visuals of the game.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum
Operating system (OS)	98, 2000, ME, XP
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium III 933 MHz
System memory (RAM)	256 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	2 GB
Video card (GPU)	Nvidia GeForce 2 ATI Radeon 7500 32 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0c compatible
Sound (audio device)	DirectX compatible