"ProStreet" takes place all over the globe, and focuses on the race weekends that attract mobs of racers who are there to show what they've got under the hood and on the track.

Game Preview: 'Need for Speed ProStreet' Game type: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, PC. Style: One- or two-player racing Release: Fall 2007

To really succeed at each one, you'll have to own cars specifically catered to these race types. Not only that, but you'll upgrade and tweak each vehicle with specialized parts to make sure that your Speed Challenge car, for instance, is set up very differently from your Drift car.

It's not a situation where you can just take your favorite car to various events. It's about understanding how to attain maximum performance. To this end, the Auto Sculpt feature now is not just for looks.

Going along with this focus on specialization, the feel of the cars in "ProStreet" is more realistic than the more arcade-like "Need for Speed" games of the past. As such, you'll feel your tires and suspension bite when you break into a corner and you'll be constantly aware of how your car's weight changes during acceleration and braking. Should you lose control and mess up your car, you'll be paying for it in possible lost speed (ruining your back spoiler, for instance, gives your car less downforce) and repair bills after the race.

Despite these concerns, "ProStreet" remains a game focused on racing thrills. It looks very sharp, and the sense of speed can be a rush. We played a Speed Challenge course later in the game with an 800 horsepower rocket that was as thrilling as "Carbon's" canyon races.

All of us who've been playing "Need for Speed" might have our favorite features from past titles that we wished were in "ProStreet." But the changes being made to the franchise are all in the pursuit of racing excellence. After all, if you're not searching for that last bit of speed, that racing edge to take you above the competition, you'll only find that second place is merely the first loser.