
Rachel reveals to the player that Caleb is attempting to take control of the racing scene in Bayview by manipulating the sponsorship deals in his favor, threatening the player's livelihood, and Rachel's liaison with the sponsors. Caleb is revealed to be the driver of the Hummer that wrecked the player's car in Olympic City. A man with a scythe tattoo on his hand calls to confirm that he "took care of a problem." Six months later, the player boards a plane to Bayview with a good luck note from Samantha that also refers to her friend, Rachel Teller. After a race, the player is called by an unidentified man with an "invitation" to join his team and that he "is not taking no for an answer." The player ends the call without answering and starts driving to a party but is ambushed by a Hummer H2 that rams his Nissan Skyline GT-R, wrecking it. The story begins after the player has beaten Eddie and his street gang, "The Eastsiders", along with Melissa in Olympic City and is now revered as the best street racer in Olympic City. The game was followed by Need for Speed: Most Wanted in 2005, featuring a plot unrelated to the Underground games. The Nintendo DS port introduces a new feature in which the player can design custom decals to adorn any vehicle in the game. Brooke Burke is the voice of Rachel Teller, the person who guides the player throughout the game.


It is the eighth installment in the Need for Speed series and the direct sequel to Need for Speed: Underground.
