The Need for Speed series is full of incredible games; Underground 2, Most Wanted 2005, and Pro Street, to name a few of the best. These games are built on highly engaging racing mechanics, immersive maps, and brilliant soundtracks. Many people’s music taste is shaped by some of the earlier games in the franchise, which is a testament to the soundtracks of these games.
However, ranking something so subjective as a soundtrack is quite difficult. You have to factor in immersiveness, energy, and how well the music fits into the overall theme of the game. Fortunately, some of the soundtracks in the series are iconic enough that it’s not hard to find good music. Here are the 5 best Need for Speed soundtracks.
Need For Speed: Most Wanted (2012)
While far from the best Need for Speed game (and certainly a worse Most Wanted game), the soundtrack in Most Wanted 2012 is surprisingly strong. This game leans heavily on electronic, house, and alternative tracks. The type of music fits the high-speed, open-world streets perfectly. Every time you hit top speed or slam into traffic, the music reinforces the adrenaline, making each scene more cinematic.
Some standout tracks here are “We’ll Be Coming Back” and “Empathy”. These tracks demonstrate that the game was willing to take risks with its music choices. This soundtrack works because it complements the Criterion-style gameplay: arcade-focused, flashy, and fluid. Most people might not love this game, but the soundtrack is hard to brush over.
Need For Speed: Carbon
Carbon’s nighttime street racing and canyon battles were a major reason why the game was so fun to play, and the music is a major element of it. The original soundtrack was composed by Ekstrak and Trevor Morris, and each song fits the game’s theme perfectly.
One of the more interesting things about this game is that the music changes according to the class of your car. Meaning you’d hear different music depending on whether you were driving a tuner or a muscle car. This sort of attention to detail is why Carbon is such a memorable game, and it doesn’t just stop at the soundtrack.
It would be first on the list if the licensed soundtrack were a bit better, but the original soundtrack is good enough that it easily carries it into the top five anyway.
Need For Speed: Pro Street
At launch, Need for Speed: Pro Street was very contentious because of its dramatic shift from illegal street racing to legal track events. However, if you revisit the game, you’ll find that it was way ahead of its time. The festival system is very intuitive and engaging, pitting racers against each other in varied events like grip, drift, drag, and speed races.
So the game is a bit underrated, but the soundtrack is even more so. This is one of those games where the music just makes sense according to the gameplay. Songs like “Atlantis To Interzone” and “Almost Easy” work flawlessly with the competitive, festival-like energy of the races. If you’re a fan of high-octane rock, metal, and electronic music, you’ll feel right at home here. Years later, it truly is a shame that this game and its soundtrack aren’t talked about enough.
Need For Speed: Underground 2
Underground 2 is the peak of illegal street racing in games. While Most Wanted has a better story and arguably better driving, Underground 2’s nighttime vibe, the focus on tuner cars, and the tracks are unmatched. Car customization was my favorite feature in this game as a kid, and it still holds up well today. It was the coolest game I owned, mainly because it felt rebellious and alive.
The soundtrack perfectly complements this energy. “Riders on the Storm” sets a moody, atmospheric tone for late-night cruising, while “In My Head” elevates the intensity during high adrenaline races. “Celebration Song” by Unwritten Law encapsulates the rebellious, party-driven spirit of the tuner scene, making even casual street runs feel exciting. It’s also insane to me that Snoop Dogg collaborated on a song with The Doors for an official Underground 2 song.
Need For Speed: Most Wanted
It’s hard to decide whether Need for Speed: Most Wanted or Underground 2 is the better game, and their soundtracks make it even harder. Underground 2 has a more varied soundtrack featuring a mix of rap, rock, and some EDM. On the other hand, with bands like Bullet For My Valentine and Disturbed, Most Wanted 2005 leans heavily into loud metal.
And I’m glad it does. Most Wanted is the most intense game in the franchise, so it’s fitting that metal is the sound that they decided on. Variety is always great, but when every single song from your soundtrack is a banger, it doesn’t matter anymore.
Every song matches the adrenaline-fueled, almost angry energy of the game, creating an experience that feels larger than life. A lot of these songs are in my gym playlist, though, so there is definite bias and personal preference here.
