Classic Era: The Need for Speed | Porsche Unleashed
Black Box Era: Underground (1 and 2) | Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005) | Carbon (Main Version | Own the City) | ProStreet | Undercover
Autolog Era: Shift (Shift PSP version and Shift 2: Unleashed) | Nitro | The Run | Rivals
2014 film adaptation
Ghost Games Era: (2015) | Payback | Heat
New Criterion Era: Unbound
The characters of the Need for Speed game Need for Speed: Carbon.
As a direct sequel to Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005), Carbon continues on pulling this trend when it comes to characters.
Unique to the game, it introduces crew members. Each of them, whether ally or enemy to the player, possess unique traits and abilities, appearance included. This trend continues to be a mainstay in later Need for Speed games.
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Player
The player (left) with Nikki during the epilogue of Carbon.
Car: Toyota Supra Turbo (1998) (originally by Darius, during cutscenes), BMW M3 GTR (race version), player's choice, SPOILER CAR*
Affiliation: Stacked Deck (formerly), Player's crew
Portrayed by: Craig Sorensen (live action body double)
"..."
The main protagonist of the game.
Following the events of Most Wanted (2005), after getting their BMW back and becoming The Most Wanted, they returned to their old hometown, Palmont City, where it's revealed that the player got a bad rep from a past fateful race. Aided by their associate Darius and their former girlfriend Nikki, the player tries to clear their name.
The player character is ostensibly the same one as the one in Most Wanted (2005); for tropes pertaining to the player character in said game, see here.
- Ambiguous Gender: Averted. Just like the previous game, their gender is revealed to be a male, which is justified by the target market for Need for Speed games.
- Badass Crew: The player has a crew with the best drivers around Palmont City. And even represents as the crew's leader!
- Badass Driver: Despite all the bad reputation from returning to Palmont, they still manage to take on all of the 4 crews and the boroughs and eventually become the ruler of the city.
- Cool Car: As always, the player is still seen rolling in their iconic M3 GTR through the canyons of Palmont City in the prologue. Shame it was totaled for good while escaping from Cross.
- Cutscene Incompetence: You could actually handle yourself pretty well during the chase with Cross in the intro, and yet the following cutscene will still have your character crash the M3 GTR, totaling it.
- Dark and Troubled Past: It's revealed in flashbacks (first shown in the prologue and later on through the game) that years ago the player participated in a race against the other crew leaders of Palmont that ended up being ambushed by the police, and the fact that he was the only racer who escaped (while carrying the bag of prize money, although it's revealed that he was given another bag containing only paper) put in a negative impact to the other crews.
- Experienced Protagonist: It is revealed in this game that the player already has a great amount of experience back in Palmont City before leaving for Rockport with their flashy M3 GTR.
- The Faceless: Subverted. During the busted cutscenes, they do have a face, but censored out. Like in Most Wanted (2005) though, in the ending you can see a clear image of the player from behind, standing alongside Nikki. Their face is also partially seen (uncensored) on a rear view mirror in the beginning.
- The Leader: As part of the game's plot of controlling all the four boroughs of Palmont City, which are controlled by street racing crews, the player is the leader of their own crew.
- Maybe Ever After: It's stated that the player and Nikki were in a relationship in the past, but the game's rather abrupt ending leaves it in the air whether they'll rekindle their relationship or not.note
- No Name Given: Again, they're simply the player. That is all.
- No-Respect Guy: Loses their respect from his ex-crew Stacked Deck, and the bosses of the other crews, after returning to Palmont City.
- Player Character: Well, duh! He is the player with whom you play the game.
- Taking Over the Town: The player must form a crew and work all their way through to take control of all the four boroughs of Palmont City.
- A Taste of Power: Like in Most Wanted (2005), you still get to try your hands in the BMW M3 GTR, before having to start off with the three starter cars.
- Villain Protagonist: Obviously, like in Most Wanted, the player is a street racer, and street racing is illegal.
- The Voiceless: The player doesn't speak at all. Interestingly enough, it's stated in the game that they do speak, apparently it's just that it isn't heard in the game: When Nikki remembers the night the player left town, she says to the player "If what you're saying is true..."
- You Can't Thwart Stage One: The player lost their M3 GTR while escaping from Cross in the prologue, totaling the car for good.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Darius betrays the player and sells them out to Cross after they defeat the previous 3 bosses.
Player's Crew Members
Neville
Crew Member Bonuses:
- Race: Zone heat levels will
- Career: $200 extra for every race
Car: Depending on player's chosen car class Click to view
Affiliation: Player's crew
Portrayed by: Chris Gauthier (live action), Brian Scolaro (voice during races)
"I got your back. I'll lose the heat, stay on the pedal."
The first crew member to join the player.
Neville loves the thrill and joy of getting the cops attention and it would take a swarm to pry him out. Mischievous, gung-ho and playful, Neville still has guts and skill when helping the player conquer the roads.
He was originally a car seller for Darius, offering a starter car to the player. Whatever class the player picks, Neville also chooses the same. Then he and Nikki race in San Juan to teach the player how street racing in Palmont works now. Neville then hangs out with the player and settles in a safehouse Nikki suggested before he joins the player's crew to start off their journey.
His role as a crew member is a Blocker, while Fixer is his specialty.
- Beware the Silly Ones: He maybe a mischievous comic relief and a fun guy on the streets, but he is extremely skilled and serious behind the wheel, which these are not to be underestimated. This is best exemplified when the player first finds the Palmont City police while alongside him; Neville will actually cause one of the police cars to flip over.Neville: Look out, cops! Watch this! [Neville crashes sideways against one of the police cars, causing it to flip over] Who's the coffee grinder, baby? Haha haha!
- Butt-Monkey: A rare example of this in the Need for Speed franchise, but his role in all but one of the cutscenes he's in cements him as this, with the wingmen tutorial having Nikki use him as a example of how the Blocker wingman works (by crashing against him), and his status as the first crew member to join the player's crew also makes him susceptible to also be the first one to be cut to make way for new crew members. He lampshades this (and almost name-drops the trope in the process) when he tries to chime in with a suggestion when Nikki asks the player to select their first car for the game from three cars:Neville: Hey, if there's three, do I get one? I mean, I don't care which one, although I am partial to the one with the sweet rims.Nikki: Why don't you just make sure the tanks are filled?Neville: That's great... I'M THE MONKEY!
- Big Fun: Neville sure is an eager, gung-ho street racer.
- Boisterous Bruiser: Neville's really a Large Ham blocker.
- Bumbling Sidekick: Subverted. He's shown to be a bit clumsy on his cutscenes, but this guy is serious when working with the player during races.
- Car Fu: As a blocker, Neville can temporarily take an opponent out by ramming their vehicle and forcing them to a stop.
- Leitmotif: His theme is "Steamworks"
by The Presets. - Money Multiplier: If Neville is in your crew, winning a race will give you an extra 200 cash per race, regardless if you don't choose him to race with you or races that don't involve crew members.
- Nice Guy: Neville, being a fun-loving guy, is very laid-back and friendly.
- Starter Mon: He is the first member to join your crew after you complete the prologue.
- Stout Strength: He is portrayed with such a heavy build, but his weight is unaffected when behind the wheel.
Sal Mustela
Crew Member Bonuses:
- Race: Reduces heat level of the player's
- Career: Autosculpt for body kits,
Car: Depending on player's chosen car class Click to view
Affiliation: Player's crew
Portrayed by: Elias Toufexis (live action), Josh Keaton (voice during races)
"You don't know me, but I know you, I'm a big fan. I've seen all your races."
The second crew member to join the player. He is available after winning five races.
Sal is an avid race fan who originally grew up in the slums in the inner city. He was first a big fan alongside the crowd, just before one fateful night that the player had to leave for Rockport. Realizing that they returned home, Sal meets with the player and offer his services. A nimble trickster on the road, he uses his past to take advantage in the competition.
Nikki hired Sal because he is a big fan of the player after seeing many race wins in their reputation, reasoning why she left Sal with the player. Though reluctant, he has confidence and joins the player's crew, alongside Neville.
His role as a crew member is a Scout, while Fabrication is his specialty.
- Ascended Fanboy: He idolizes the player, then later becomes part of their crew, alongside Neville (if only you don't fire the latter).
- The Blacksmith: If hired to you crew, Autosculpt becomes available for body kits (front bumpers, rear bumpers and side skirts), roof scoops and hoods, allowing you to alter certain areas for each part.
- Got Volunteered: Subverted. He appears visibly reluctant when he meets the player upon their return, but after joining the crew, Sal becomes more confident.
- Leitmotif: His theme is "What It Look Like" by Spank Rock.
- Only One Name: One of the two aversions in this game, alongside Cross, in that his surname is revealed. Sal is the only character in Carbon to ever have a full name.
- Secret Path: As a scout, Sal can locate and take shortcuts on the track, giving the player full advantage to the competition and faster times.
- Shrinking Violet: Seems to be really nervous when interacting with the player in his cutscene, stuttering in his speeches.
- Wrong Side of the Tracks: He grew up in alleys in the inner city slums, which is why he uses them as shortcuts for him and the player to take during races.
Main Crew Members
T.F.K.
In General
T.F.K. are solely European drivers who drive exotic cars and they're depicted with white, silver and grey cars.
- Awesome, but Impractical: Their exotic cars have high top speed and acceptable handling, but accelerates sluggishly, which is why the cars are best on the highways of Palmont, where it can maximize its top speed (with the combination of nitrous).
- Color Motif: T.F.K. are depicted in blue in cars and theme.
- Fun with Acronyms: Although there is no agreement on what it's supposed to mean, it's commonly stated to be The Fortuna Kings.
- Genre Motif: All their members have rap Leitmotifs.
Wolf
Car: Aston Martin DB9 (T.F.K.), Lamborghini Murciélago Coupé (Stacked Deck)
Affiliation: T.F.K. (leader), Stacked Deck (member)
Portrayed by: Shaw Madson
"So... how long did it take you to spend all the money you took from me?"
The main boss of T.F.K.
Born in Germany, Wolf developed his pride for money and fame when he was expelled from some of the finest universities in Europe. Wolf indulges into many fancy things, like exotic cars, luxurious watches or even attracting heeled ladies by his side. Apart from his wealthy status, Wolf loves to race. He'd use his influence and bravado to buy anything that stands in his way.
He, alongside the other crew bosses, Angie and Kenji raced with the player before they were ambushed and arrested, whilst the player escapes.
- Animal Motifs: Downplayed; he doesn't have as much wolf-related imagery as one would expect a guy actually named Wolf to have, but appropiately enough, wolves can be heard howling during his Boss Battle intro.
- The Anticipator: In contrast to the Boss Battle intros of Kenji (in which the player and Kenji race together to the start line) and Angie (in which the player awaits for Angie to arrive), when the player is racing to the start line, Wolf is alredy waiting for them.Wolf: You made me wait. I'm just surprised you were stupid enough to show up at all.
- Badass Longcoat: Wolf sports a beige longcoat as seen in his intro.
- Break the Haughty: The Fortuna campaign is basically one long example of this for Wolf. In contrast with Kenji and Angie, who make clear to the player that that they don't like them and tell them to go away, Wolf instead appears to arrogantly toy with the player, sarcastically asking them how long did it take them to "spend all the money you took from me", and even telling them that Fortuna is for "serious drivers, not for thieves and cowards". All this only for Wolf, unlike Kenji and Angie who remained defiant after their defeats, to meekly say "I Let You Win" after being defeated by the player.
- Conspicuous Gloves: He wears black driving gloves for no particular reason, given no other driver in the game does it. Considering the high-class appearance of his T.F.K. crew, it appears to be trying to evoke a rare male example of High-Class Gloves.
- Cool Car: Uses an Aston Martin DB9, and later a Lamborghini Murcielago.
- Enemy Mine: Works alongside Angie and Kenji in Stacked Deck in a final attempt to get back at the player.
- Expelled from Every Other School: The Prima Guide's bio states that he was kicked out from several elite universities in Europe.
- I Let You Win: Says this word-for-word when you beat him.
- Leitmotif: His theme is "After Party" by Dynamite MC.
- Mythology Gag: In Need for Speed Payback Natalia Nova, a racer who is also an internet vlogger and who livestreams the race she has with the player, at one point will thank a donation made during the livestream by someone who goes by the username, "WolfTFK". Since when did Wolf follow social media vloggers?
- My Rules Are Not Your Rules: In the Xbox and Playstation versions of Carbon, Wolf is the ONLY Tier 1 boss that uses NOS in a Canyon duel. Yeah, you know, those dangerous races where you can fall off the cliff? Where you can't use NOS at all? Wolf's Aston Martin uses NOS during that race. This is at least subverted with his Lamborghini.
- No-Nonsense Nemesis: Wolf is all business on his races.
- At the beginning of their Canyon Duels, Kenji starts out normally while Angie overtakes you and does a burnout in front of your car, seemingly attempting to stall them (that and/or just to be petty). What does Wolf do? He doesn't even stop besides the player's car to start the race, just racing past your car while saying "Come on!"
- A downplayed example, but after the defeated leaders are drafted into Stacked Deck and given new cars by Darius to challenge the player, while Kenji and Angie are shown clearly enjoying their new rides before their first races with them, Wolf will have a serious expression.
- Not Even Bothering with the Accent: Downplayed. He's German (or at least his bio states that he was born in Germany), yet he speaks in a perfect American accent.
- Rich Bastard: Wolf is a man born with money, matched with his smuggest personality.
- The "Why Wait?" Combatant: When you compete against him in a Canyon Duel (the first time), he doesn't even stop besides the player's car to start the race; he simply races past your car while saying "Come on!"
Colin
Crew Member Bonuses:
- Race: Increases drafting zone
- Career: Unlocks Autosculpt for exhausts,
Car: Alfa Romeo Brera (Tier 1), Porsche Cayman S (987) (Tier 2), Porsche Carrera GT (980) (Tier 3)
Affiliation: T.F.K. (formerly), Player's crew
Portrayed by: Steve Lawlor
"Look... I just wanna race. That's all I've ever wanted."
One of the former crew members of T.F.K. who joins the player's crew after you defeat Wolf and control Fortuna.
Colin originally was a noble, if prideful and competitive, motorsports racer who hailed from southern England. After retiring from the sport, he developed an interest in street racing and started being involved in it. Taking experience on the circuits, this cutthroat racer ensures that there is nothing too noble about finishing the race last.
During the backstory, Colin was seen in the devastation when he saw Nikki knocked down and a guy who was switching the bag. Seeking to help the player’s truth about their past, Colin join the player’s crew.
His role as crew member is a Drafter, while Fabrication is his specialty.
- Badass Longcoat: As per T.F.K., just like what his boss wears, Colin also wears a longcoat too.
- The Blacksmith: If hired to you crew, Autosculpt for becomes available for spoilers, exhaust tips, rims, and chop-tops for muscle cars, allowing you to alter certain areas for each part.
- Defeat Means Friendship: Technically you defeat his boss but Colin joins your crew all the same.
- Follow the White Rabbit: As a drafter, Colin can provide a speed boost to you by letting him overtake you and slipstream off of them. Very useful in Speedtrap events and in long straights. And it's okay if he crosses the finish line first since he's part of your crew, you as a crew still win the race.
- From Camouflage to Criminal: Since street racing is illegal, Colin went from legitimate track racing to illicit street racing.
- Leitmotif: His theme is Dynamite MC's "Bounce".
- Nerves of Steel: He's able to remain composed even in a situation that gets everyone else panicked.
- Pride: This young-gun has noble ethics, that gives Baron a run for his money.
- Retired Badass: Averted. Colin was once a competitive racer in the motorsports world before taking part in street racing.
- Spotting the Thread: He saw Nikki getting knocked down by one of Darius' men during the police ambush in the prologue, and noticed the man had the same bag that she had had.
- Stiff Upper Lip: Colin is British who never blows off his steam. He does not even move a muscle in his bio video.
- The Stoic: Colin is not one for open display of emotion; he doesn't emote or do anything during his intro video. This is even a plot point, where he remained cool when everyone was panicking during the botched race, enabling him to see Nikki being knocked down and Darius's goon switching the bags.
21st Street Crew
In General
The main crew based in Kempton led by Angie.
The 21st Street Crew are solely American drivers who drive muscle cars and they're depicted with orange and grey cars.
- Color Motif: The 21st Street Crew are depicted in yellow in cars and theme.
- Genre Motif: Its members are associated with rock music.
- Unskilled, but Strong: Their muscle cars have acceptable top speed and great acceleration, but awful handling due to their tendency to oversteer and slide around.
Angie
Car: Dodge Charger R/T (1969) (21st Street Crew), Dodge Challenger Concept (Stacked Deck)
Affiliation: 21st Street Crew (leader), Stacked Deck (member)
Portrayed by: Danielle Kremeniuk
"Yeah, I heard you were back in town. Go back to where you came from."
The main boss of the 21st Street Crew.
Angie is a gifted Hispanic racer fitted with a reckless personality. She's not afraid to taking risky challenges or pushing her car to its absolute limit.
She, alongside the other crew bosses, Kenji and Wolf raced with the player before they were ambushed and arrested, whilst the player escapes.
- All There in the Manual: The fact that she's Hispanic is not mentioned at all in the game. Add in the
Fake Nationality of the actress playing her and it's easy to assume that she's a non-Hispanic white woman. - Arrogant Kung-Fu Girl: A racing variation. Her cockiness on the streets knows no bounds.
- Cool Car: Angie drives a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, and later switches out to the Dodge Challenger Concept.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Angie had some bad experience during her last race when she botched her drift while racing with Kenji. This explains the scratches on her car.
- Enemy Mine: Works alongside Wolf and Kenji in Stacked Deck in final attempt to get back at the player.
- Leitmotif: Her theme is "Hurricane" by Kyuss.
- The Smurfette Principle: The only female crew boss among the crews in Carbon.
- Spicy Latina: The Prima Guide states she's of Hispanic origin.
- Unskilled, but Strong: Same deal as the rest of her crew. Her cars excel at acceleration with a middling top speed, but they suck at taking corners.
- What a Piece of Junk: While her Charger R/T has some bumps and scratches that are left intact (caused by a failed drift,) that doesn't make it any less powerful.
Samson
Crew Member Bonuses:
- Race: 10% additional cash
- Career: Reduces heat level in every
Car: Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 (1967) (Tier 1), Dodge Charger R/T (1969) (Tier 2), Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda (Tier 3)
Affiliation: 21st Street Crew (formerly), Player's crew
Portrayed by: Noah Danby (live action), Joseph May (voice during races, credited as Joe May)
"Well, well, well...nice of you to show."
One of the former crew members of the 21st Street Crew who joins the player's crew after you defeat Angie and control Kempton.
This 7-foot racer can shake anyone that stands in his way. Samson is gifted and well-educated on the road, thanks to his intelligence and his expansive vocabulary, meaning he can outwit and outsmart anyone. But to ensure no one can beat him in the finish, he marks down each one of them, leaving his adversaries merciless.
During the backstory, Samson saw the tragic race when the cops disabled all the racers except for the player, but also saw the driver of the mysterious Chrysler who helped the player escape having a police badge. Seeing whatever is coming a mile away, Samson joins with the player’s crew.
His role as a crew member is a Blocker, while Fixer is his specialty.
- Car Fu: Just like Neville. As a blocker, Samson can temporarily take an opponent out by ramming their vehicle and forcing them to a stop.
- Defeat Means Friendship: Technically you defeat his boss but Samson joins your crew all the same.
- Genius Bruiser: Not only he’s capable of taking down his rivals, but also is gifted with knowledge.
- Gentle Giant: He’s apparently 7-foot and has a Face of a Thug, but he’s a Nice Guy and would do anything to help you out.
- Leitmotif: His theme is Wolfmother's "Joker and the Thief".
- Manly Facial Hair: Going along with his image of a rough, manly muscle car driver, Samson has an awesome-looking goatee.
- Mighty Glacier: As said by the their Unskilled, but Strong car stats, Samson takes advantage of it and turns his car into a battering ram.
- Money Multiplier: If Samson is in your crew, winning a race will give you an extra 10% cash per race, which is very useful for races you haven't completed yet.note However, Samson must be racing with you if you want to get this benefit, meaning you can't get this perk when doing races not involving crew members.note
- Spotting the Thread: When the ambush took place, he saw the player disappear down an alley. He recalls that a car parked in front of the alley moved out of the way as they took off. The driver had a badge on his belt.
- What a Piece of Junk: All his muscle cars are old-looking, but they're still as competitive as any other crewmate's car.
Bushido
In General
Bushido are solely Asian drivers who drive tuner cars and they're depicted with green cars with black vinyls and white calligraphy decals saying their crew's name.
- Color Motif: Bushido are depicted in green in cars and theme.
- Genre Motif: Both members with known Leitmotifs have electronic music as their theme songs.
- Weak, but Skilled: The exact opposite of Angie's muscle cars, Bushido's tuner cars are slower with middling acceleration, but handle nicely around turns, which is why these cars are great in drift events and canyon races.
Kenji
Car: Mazda RX-7 (FD, Series 6) (Bushido), Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR-edition (Stacked Deck), OTHERS *
Affiliation: Bushido (leader), Stacked Deck (member)
Portrayed by: Ken Kirby (likeness), Archie Kao (voice)
"I heard you were back in town. Now I wanna hear you're gone!"
The main boss of Bushido.
Kenji's development for his attention grew when he was fed up being ignored in the past. He has no regrets of bragging out his achievements or threatening his opponents with insulting metaphors.
He, alongside the other crew bosses, Angie and Wolf raced with the player before they were ambushed and arrested, whilst the player escapes.
- Cool Car: Drives an FD Mazda RX-7, and later switches it out for a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX MR-Edition. In one of the promotional trailers, he was seen driving a yellow Ford Mustang GT.
- Drives Like Crazy: Unlike the other crew members, Kenji tends to drift his car in every single one of his cutscenes. Justified that it befits the tuner's potential. Perhaps Aki Kimura must have taken that inspiration.
- Enemy Mine: Works alongside Angie and Wolf in Stacked Deck in final attempt to get back at the player.
- Fair-Play Villain: Downplayed, but he is the only one out of the three crew bosses who starts their Boss Battle Canyon Duel normally (by parking besides the player before taking the lead in the first stage), in comparison to Angie (who overtakes the player and then does a burnout in front of them, apparently to either stall them and/or just to be petty) and Wolf (who doesn't even stop to start the race, instead driving past the player while saying "Come on!").
- Leitmotif: His theme is "Fighting In Built Up Areas" by Ladytron.
- Mythology Gag: Kenji (or someone with the same name) becomes one of the opponents in the DLC Speedcross Storyline in Payback.
- Not Even Bothering with the Accent: He is implied to be Japanese or at least Asian-American, but yet he sports an American accent. Not as his portrayer implies.
- This Cannot Be!: His reaction to being defeated in his Boss Battle goes along this way.Kenji: No way, punk!
- Weak, but Skilled: Same as the rest of his crew. His cars may not be all that hot in a straight line, but you fight him in technical courses with plenty of corners where his cars' excellent handling really shines.
Yumi
Crew Member Bonuses:
- Race: Increased Nitrous boost (25%)
- Career: 10% discount on
Car: Mazda RX-8 (SE3P) (Tier 1), Mitsubishi Eclipse GT (Tier 2), Subaru Impreza WRX STI (GDB-F) (Tier 3)
Affiliation: Bushido (formerly), Player's crew
Portrayed by: Miyuki "Melody" Ishikawa (live action, credited as Melody), Kim Mai Guest (voice during races)
"I have a secret. Thought you'd like to know?"
One of the former crew members of Bushido who joins the player's crew after you defeat Kenji and control Downtown.
Yumi is a mysterious racer who hails from Japan. This Harajuku girl has high reflexes when it comes to racing, as she can go through paths that are impossibly narrow. Yumi applies her hidden years of experience on the streets, and continues to gain more by curiosity. Nobody knows or can guess her real age, and her attractive looks can leave anyone in the dust.
During the backstory, Yumi overheard the cops being told to disable the cars of all the racers except for the player's, making her realize that someone tipped off the cops. Yumi's curiosity has led her to join with the player's crew.
Her role as a crew member is a Scout, while Mechanic is her specialty.
- Badass Adorable: Just how can this street racer be this cute?!
- Celebrity Cameo: She is portrayed by Japanese singer Melody, whose song "Feel the Rush" (in a remixed version) also appears in the game.
- Constantly Curious: That is how Yumi gets experience on the streets. Even her backstory with the player happened because she was watching the race the player took part in with binoculars.
- Defeat Means Friendship: Technically you defeat her boss but Yumi joins your crew all the same.
- Delinquent Hair: A street racer with blue hair. Justified that she's a Harajuku girl.
- Discount Card: If hired to your crew, Yumi offers a 10% discount on all performance parts.
- Girlish Pigtails: She sports two pigtails, befitting her Japanese look.
- Leitmotif: Her theme song is, appropriately enough, Melody's "Feel the Rush (Junkie XL Remix)".
- Older Than They Look: Yumi has an appearance of a 20-year-old though she's implied to be in her 30s, since you cannot guess her exact age. She even looks the same both in the game's present and its flashbacks (which are stated to have taken place a few years prior) despite her youth. The Prima Guide (based on the script used by the developers of the game) even states that "nobody knows or can guess her real age."
- Psychic Powers: The Prima Guide (based on the script used by the developers of the game) states that she has a strange ability to predict the path of least resistance during races, leading her to be given the nickname "Oracle" by some of her folks. This ability lead her to be a Scout and guiding you the shortcuts she can predict throughout the race.
- Secret Path: Just like Sal. As a scout, Yumi can locate and take shortcuts on the track, giving the player full advantage to the competition and faster times.
- Spotting the Thread: She overheard the police chatter that took place prior to the ambush at the race, and heard them talking about disabling Suspects Bravo, Charlie and Delta (Angie, Kenji and Wolf) but leaving Suspect Alpha (the player) alone. She recalls that this strategy made no sense to her - the police would never leave one suspect in a street race alone unless they were specifically made to do so.
- Status Buff: If hired, she provides you a 25% more powerful nitrous boost during a race.
Stacked Deck
In General
Stacked Deck solely drives any Tier 3 car from any car class and they're depicted with red and black with some grey lines.
- Color Motif: Stacked Deck are depicted in red in cars and theme.
- Master of All: Any member of Stacked Deck drives any tier 3 car from any class, all with their strengths and weaknesses combined.
- Oddly Small Organization: Despite ultimately being the crew of the game's Big Bad, and while the other crews have at least three members shown, before Darius recruited Kenji, Angie and Wolf into the crew towards the game's end, the only other Stacked Deck member shown besides Darius (aside from a few people shown alongside Darius during his intro scene) was Nikki.
- Playing Card Motifs: Downplayed. As the trope is only applied to its emblem, representing a snake coiling around a card with an ace symbol.
Darius
Car: Audi Le Mans quattro
Affiliation: Stacked Deck
Portrayed by: Tahmoh Penikett
"You think you know this town? You have no idea what's in store for you other than it's gonna hurt."
The main boss of Stacked Deck.
Darius pays Jonathan Cross the player's bounty to clear their name after the events of Most Wanted and offers them to form a crew and their starter car.
He also keeps track to the player's progress as their crew continues to dominate the three boroughs of Palmont City: Downtown, Fortuna and Kempton. Just as Darius is about to congratulate the player for their success, he immediately betrays them, realizing that Darius was using the player to control the three said boroughs and being responsible for bribing the police in the race that forced the player to leave Palmont.
With all those antics, it's up to the player to challenge Darius for control Silverton and all of Palmont City.
- Accidental Misnaming: He keeps constantly butchering Cross's name, such as calling him "Crock" or "Crawl". It doesn't even appear to be out of malice; he just doesn't care enough about Cross to remember.
- Affably Evil: Darius is actually a pleasant person and offers the player a starter car and a crew before his betrayal. On top of that, he's the least antagonistic among other Big Bads in the franchise.
- Arc Words: "Don't disappoint." He places his trust to the player before the events of Most Wanted with this line, and repeats it again after enlisting the player to race against the other bosses after the player's return, making it all the more ironic when he's revealed to be the one who set up the player years before.
- Badass Boast: His line before the Canyon Duel against him perfectly sums up said race being the game's ultimate challenge.Darius: No one can touch me.
- Big Bad: He turns out to be the main antagonist of the game, being revealed as the mastermind behind framing the player years ago and the final boss to defeat in the game.
- Cool Car: Drives an Audi Le Mans quattro, which is the prototype for the then up-and-coming Audi R8.
- This has gotten notice in The Run, requiring a Carbon Challenge Series pack to get your hand on. Although it uses an R8 5.2 FSI as the basis.
- With Audi's return in Unbound, it an unexpected surprise to see Darius's Cool Car making its mark in its Vol. 6 update, albeit using the 2019 facelifed Audi R8.
- Evil Former Friend: A trustworthy friend to the player before Most Wanted who then betrayed upon return.
- Final Boss: He is the last major opponent in Carbon's career mode.
- Graceful Loser: Downplayed: Darius admits defeat and decides to turn over Silverton and even the keys to his car to the player, but with his parting words he warns the player that he expects someone faster to beat him, clearly still sore from the loss.Darius: The keys are in the car. Enjoy it while it lasts. There's always someone out there who's a little faster than you are, and sooner or later they're gonna catch up.
- Improbably Cool Car: At the time the game was developed, his Audi Le Mans quattro was a concept car not meant for road use. It later on became the basis for the modern-day Audi R8 road car.
- Irony: Despite the other crew bosses being mad at the player for being the only one able to escape with the money with them getting arrested, they joined Darius, the man responsible for the set up, to get back at the player.
- Leitmotif: His theme is "Hype Boys" by Sway.
- Lightning Bruiser: His Le Mans quattro can tackle any track, even the tight turns at the canyon.
- Master of All: As explained above, his Le Mans quattro has nearly or fully maxed stats everywhere.
- Meaningful Name: The name Darius comes from the Persian "Dariush" which means "he possesses" and "rich and kingly", and it befits his status as leader of Stacked Deck.
- The Mole: He tipped off the police in the prologue race and caused the player to (temporarily) leave Palmont.
- My Rules Are Not Your Rules: Despite the game's car class stating that Exotics have excellent top speed, good handling, but lesser acceleration, his Le Mans quattro, on top of having maxed out top speed, excels greatly in handling and acceleration combined, even more than maxed-out tier 3 Exotics with similar stats. For comparison, not even the BMW M3 GTR (classified in this game as also Exotic) had those privileges, at best having tier 3 maxed-out Exotic acceleration with a handling on par with tier 3 Tuners, but still has lesser top speed like other Bonus tier 3 Exotics.
- Rapid-Fire "No!": During the first race on the city as part of the Boss Battle with him, if you approach the finish with enough of a lead, he will react by yelling "No!" several times in rapid succesion.
- Tranquil Fury: In comparison to the other bosses, who upon being defeated have some words for the player (or just a grunt, in Angie's case), Darius's "Defeated" cutscene has him shaking his head in disbelief without saying a word, while subtly grimacing in anger.
- Villain with Good Publicity: He seems to be respected and well-regarded around the town, with even Cross answering to him for a permission to bounty hunt, and is able to tip off cops in the race the player involved.
- Villainous Breakdown: He starts undergoing one after Nikki discovers his ruse and leaves Stacked Deck, giving the player similar threats to the ones the previous bosses give, and as mentioned in Rapid-Fire "No!", screaming in frustration if the player beats him in the race on the city.
David
David (left) as seen in the prologue.
Car: Jaguar XK (2006)
Affiliation: Stacked Deck
Portrayed by: David Footman
The member of Stacked Deck who serves as Darius's Personal Mook.
In the prologue, after the player's M3 GTR was totalled while escaping and left in the mercy of Cross, Darius arrives with his henchmen and orders David to settle the player's bounty.
- Cool Car: He's seen driving a Jaguar XK, which is odd that it is a Tier 2 car, while his fellow Stacked Deck members drive Tier 3 cars.
- Personal Mook: He is Darius's bodyuard who is ordered to pay the player's 150K bounty.
- Out of Focus: He only makes a brief appearance in the cutscene, and also last seen in the ending picking up Darius after losing his car and Silverton.
- The Unfought: Despite being part of Stacked Deck, he's the only member doesn't race.
- The Voiceless: There's not a single peep from David. Justified that he's a minor charcacter.
Nikki
Click here to see her in flashbacks
Crew Member Bonuses:
- Race: 50% bonus for
- Career: 10% discount on
Car: Ford GT (Gen. 1), OTHERS*
Affiliation: Stacked Deck (formerly), Player's crew
Portrayed by: Emmanuelle Vaugier (voice and likeliness), Silje Halvorsen (live action body double)
"You're not the only one with a score to settle. Now, let's get outta here, we got a lot of ground to catch up."
The last crew member to join the player. She is available after controlling three boroughs prior to Silverton.
Prior to the events of Most Wanted, Nikki was the player's girlfriend. She was holding the bag of the prize money during the race the player had against Kenji, Wolf and Angie, only for the race to be ambushed by the Palmont Police Department. Nikki was knocked down unconscious by someone who switched the bag with another identical one, after which Nikki, unaware of the switch, throws in the bag to the player just moments before the police arrested her, while the player fled for Rockport.
Upon returning to Palmont City, Nikki was furious to see the player return, only for Darius to stop her from potentially threatening them even further, and ask her to help the player learn more about Palmont City's racing scene, much to her chagrin. Later on, however, after finding out that Darius was responsible for the set-up, Nikki decides to defect from Stacked Deck and join the player's crew, mending the fences between the two.
Her role as a crew member is a Drafter, while Mechanic is her specialty.
- Ascended Fangirl: The flashbacks show her being a fan of street racing while not being an active racer (being the girl holding the bag of prize money in the race the player was set up, and also being implied to have been the player's mechanic) before being a fully-fledged street racer in the game's present.
- Action Girlfriend: A Badass Driver who was the girlfriend of the player in the past.
- Cool Car: Drives a red first-gen Ford GT.
- Defrosting Ice Queen: She's harsh at first when the player returns to Palmont City and is reluctant to teach the player how it goes. As the plot progresses, Nikki mellows out and even willing to join the player's crew after discovering Darius's betrayal.
- Discount Card: If hired to your crew, Nikki offers a 10% discount on your next car purchase at the dealer.
- Exposition Fairy: She's the one who introduces the player to the street racing scene in Palmont City, explaining them the concept of crews and wingmen. She's a particular twist on the concept in that, while previous games featured a friendly character doing this, here at the point of the game she's doing this she's antagonistic to the player, and is only doing it because Darius asked her to do so.
- Follow the White Rabbit: As a drafter, just like Colin, she can also provide a speed boost to you by letting her overtake you and slipstream off of them.
- Heel–Face Turn: After being disgusted by Darius's actions, Nikki then sways to the player's crew.
- Leitmotif: Her theme is "Don't Speak (I Came To Make A Bang)" by Eagles of Death Metal.
- Let Me at Him!: Her introductory scene has her, upon discovering that the player returned to Palmont and believing him to have betrayed her years ago, lunging towards the player, having to be restrained by Darius.Nikki: [making a beeline towards the player] How dare you show your face here! [Darius holds her back] Let go of me!
- Ms. Fanservice: Downplayed. She is a gorgeous woman, but Nikki is among the least sexualized female characters in the franchise (at least during the tuner era), wearing clothes that aren't particularly skimpy, neither in the present or in the flashbacks. The most she goes along with this is her doing a slow-motion Supermodel Strut that focuses on her legs during the flashback of the race in which the player is set up.
- Maybe Ever After: It's stated that the player and Nikki were in a relationship in the past, but the game's rather abrupt ending leaves it in the air whether they'll rekindle their relationship or not.note
- Shout-Out: Her car's vinyl design is inspired by the Ford GT40 that competed in (and won) the 1969 Le Mans, right down to the "6" on the hood and the sides.
- Status Buff: If Nikki is hired to your crew, during races, she provides you a nitrous and speedbreaker that lasts 50% longer.
- Wrench Wench: It's implied that during the flashbacks she was the player's mechanic, as her first scene in them has her coming from the front of the player's car, while wiping her hands, and asking the player to "start it up". That Mechanic is her specialty as a crew member also seems to reference this.
Other Characters
Sergeant Cross
See his character folder on the Need for Speed: Most Wanted character page.
Flag Girl
- Fanservice Extra: In a video game that already features attractive women like Nikki and Yumi in major roles, she appears to be there just to give a little extra eye candy, and unlike them she doesn't even have a name.
- Living Prop: Her only role in the plot of the game is to start the races (and occasionally wave at some racers). That is all.
- Male Gaze: One of the race start cutscenes featuring her features an angle where the viewer can easily see a clear view of her rear. Another one has her leaning against the side of one of the rival cars (apparently talking to its driver), giving a close-up shot◊ of her legs and rear.
- No Name Given: She isn't given a name at all; in fact, she's only named "Flag Girl" here as a placeholder name since she's the one who lauches the races.note
- Pit Girls: She is basically the street racing equivalent of a race queen, seen starting the races.
- Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: Seems to be what her look aims for, having pale skin, dark hair, and having eye-catching moments during the race starts.
- The Voiceless: She never speaks, which is justifiable since she's a minor character.
