10 Best Video Game Cities You Must Explore

Why is a racing game on this list? For one simple reason. This was more than just a racing game. Need For Speed Underground made waves with its customisation options, fast paced action and pulsating soundtrack. But how do you improve on and already great game? Giving fans of street racing games something they had always wanted. The ability to explore the world in which they raced.

Once the racing stopped in Underground 2 that is exactly the ability they gave the player. The city of Bayview became the playground of the player. Based on real world settings like the Beverley Hills and the city of Philadelphia, the player drove through the city from race to race, to yet another outstanding soundtrack. Whether you were racing along to the rock sounds of Papa Roach and Queens of the Stone Age or you were more into the dance remix offerings like Black Betty and Riders on the Storm, the city was brought to live by the lights and sounds.

With unlockable and hidden areas, the ability to drive to and discovered the customisation garages and the underrated feature of being able to pass other street racers and challenge them to an impromptu race provided hours and hours enjoyment from the free roaming explore option.

The open world racing game was imitated by titles like Burnout and arguably perfected by the Forza Horzion series, but the city of Bayview and Need for Speed Underground 2 deserves a lot of credit for starting this genre of with a bang way back in 2002.