Classic Era: The Need for Speed | Porsche Unleashed
Black Box Era: Underground (1 and 2) | 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: Shift sub-series of Need for Speed, consisting of Shift and Shift 2: Unleashed.
Shift features no predetermined characters (although the PSP version features the Race Kings), while Shift 2 features a set of Real Life motorsports celebrities, each having a specialty and forte in certain disciplines.
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Need for Speed: Shift (PSP version)
Race Kings
Rod Cruz
Car: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Affiliation: Battle Machine
"Rod Cruz is #10 on the list of race kings. Look out for him as you race. If you beat him enough, he'll challenge you to a showdown. Win a showdown, you move on the list yourself."
#10 of the Race Kings.–- Opening narration
He is one of the Speed Kings who drives a blue Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
- The Casanova: Aside from the whole in-universe Ship Tease with Aya Vasquez, Diablo Montana's intro claims that Rod and Diablo like to party with the Pit Girls.
- The Engineer: Mechanic, to be exact. His bio states that he's a mechanic, which is also described as being his gift, as "he always gets more from his engine".
- Leitmotif: His theme is The Nextmen's remixed version of "Insight"
by Fort Knox 5 feat. Asheru. - The Rival: Rod and Nate Denver are implied to be this to each other, as Rod's bio states states that "there's no love lost" between them.
- Thousand-Yard Stare: His bio actually name-drops this while describing him, as it says that "a complex character hides behind his 1000-yard stare." He does certainly have a pretty intense gaze in his intro◊.
- True Companions: Downplayed. Though his bio stated that he hangs out with Aya Vasquez, it is unknown whether Rod has a romantic interest for her, with his bio stating that "racing remains his first love", plus Montana's bio claims that the two of them like to party with the pit girls. Aya's bio, however, nonetheless states that "Cruz's mysterious ways and dangerous driving holds her in thrall."
- Token Minority: He is the only black driver among the Race Kings.
Karol Monroe
See her character folder in the Need for Speed: ProStreet character page.
Ray Krieger
See his character folder in the Need for Speed: ProStreet character page.
Marc Demarcher
Car: BMW M3 (E46)
Affiliation: Noise Bomb
#7 of the Race Kings.He is one of the Drift Kings who drives a green multi-striped E46 BMW M3.
- Color Motif: As per Noise Bomb, Mark sports a green and black racing suit, matching with his M3 painted in a green livery.
- Combat Pragmatist: His bio describes him as "not adverse to the odd dirty trick to get ahead."
- Drives Like Crazy: For a racer who learned to drive briskly on the French country roads, as his forte in drifting shows.
- French Jerk: It's implied that he's French, inbetween having a French namenote and his bio mentioning that he learned to drive briskly on the French country roads, and then there's the mention of not beign adverse to the odd dirty trick and his cocky pose in his intro◊.
- Leitmotif: His theme is "Underdog" by Kasabian.
- The Rival: His bio describes him as competing with Diablo for the attention of the Pit Girls.
- Small Name, Big Ego: Implied by his bio, which says that he joined the Navy, "some say so that the world could see him." He also has a pretty confident pose in his intro◊.
Nate Denver
See his character folder in the Need for Speed: ProStreet character page.
Aya Vasquez
Still no word whether she is Vic's sister.
Car: Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997.1)
Affiliation: G Effect
#5 of the Race Kings.She is one of the Speed Kings who drives a purple 997 version of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS with light streaks and black stripes.
- Affirmative Action Girl: After Karol Monroe was the sole female racer in ProStreet, when she returns in the PSP version of Shift (alongside most of the other Street Kings), Aya's addition avoids making Karol the only woman again.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: She may look more like Avril Lavigne than a racer, but it's implied that she still takes her racing seriously.Bio: Aya is a big flirt but is always early to bed before a big race.
- Nonconformist Dyed Hair: Has part of her hair dyed pink, fitting her personality being given as Hot-Blooded and overall punk-like aesthetic.
- Hot-Blooded: Her bio mentions her being prone to "rash decisions on and off the track", which are chalked up to her inexperience.
- It Runs in the Family: Her bio describes that she first learned how to drive after she "sat on her father's knee in his Porsche."
- Leitmotif: Her theme is "Whachadoin?" by N.A.S.A (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santigold, Nick Zinner).
- New Meat: Is described as being relatively inexperienced, and her "rash decisions" are chalked up to this.
- She Is the King: Like Karol Monroe, she is refered to as a "Race King" despite being a woman.
- Spicy Latina: A Latina woman with sultry looks (being described as "a big flirt") and very fierce-tempered (if the mention about her "rash decisions" is anything to go by).
- The Tease: Her bio describes her as a "big flirt" (even with the whole in-universe Ship Tease with Rod Cruz) and her intro even has her blow a kiss◊ to the player.
Alex Fry
Car: Nissan GT-R (2007)
Affiliation: React Performance
#4 of the Race Kings.He is one of the Drift Kings who drives a red and yellow two-toned Nissan GT-R.
- Badass Bookworm: A guy who knows about computers to the point of coding computer games (per his bio) that is also a skilled racing driver.
- Gadgeteer Genius: His bio states that he coded computer games to pay for his early driving career.
- I Know Mortal Kombat: His bio states that he learned to race playing computer games.
- Leitmotif: His theme is "High Life" by Two Fingers (feat. Sway).
- Loved by All: Among the other Race Kings, Alex is considered to be the most well-liked and respected driver.
- Nerds Are Sexy: His bio explains well enough his nerd achievements, and oddly enough, one of his bio pictures shows him with an attractive woman who looks head over heels for him!◊
- Odd Friendship: His bio states that he sometimes hangs out with Montana to talk about drift. Yes; Alex Fry, the stoic smart guy, hangs out with Diablo Montana, the irresponsible, hard-partying racer who is described as being the object of dislike of more than one racer.
- Smart People Wear Glasses: A guy smart enough that he knows about coding computer games who wears glasses.
- The Stoic: He looks very stoic in all of his bio pictures, in one even examining carefully a spark plug.
Wade Johnson
Car: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C6)
Affiliation: Race Boy Shocks
#3 of the Race Kings.He is one of the Speed Kings who drives a sixth-gen Corvette Z06 with an elaborate American flag pattern.
- Good Luck Charm: His bio states that Wade always drives wearing his brother's bandana for luck.
- Hidden Depths: Judging by his bio pictures alone, it would be easy to dismiss Wade as the typical cocky, arrogant driver that usually appears as an antagonist in these games. However, his bio describes him as being actually much more serious than his appearance might imply. He holds his brother's bandana for good luck, he doesn't party (although he goes to photocalls), he actually is still in love with his ex Karol Monroe but can't get over the competition between them, and actually dislikes Montana's lack of professionalism.
- Irony: His bio states that he can't stand Montana's lack of professionalism. However, Montana's own bio later reveals that, much like Wade always races with his brother's bandana for good luck, Montana himself has a locket around his neck that never comes off, whose contents are unknown.
- A Lady on Each Arm: Not around his arms exactly, but one of his bio pictures has him flanked by two attractive women◊.
- Leitmotif: His theme is "Anything 'Cept the Truth" by Eagles of Death Metal.
- Married to the Job: His bio states that he's actually is still in love with his ex Karol Monroe, but can't get over the competition between them.
- Wearing a Flag on Your Head: Wade's Corvette is draped in the American flag. In fact, one of his bio pictures◊ has him appearing to wear an American flag as a cape.
Diablo Montana
Car: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
Affiliation: Showdown
#2 of the Race Kings.He is one of the Grip Kings who drives a yellow and red two-toned Lamborghini Gallardo with black streaks.
- Bunny-Ears Lawyer: His bio drives the point home that he's an extremely lackadaisical driver (to say the least), but he was still able to be the #2 of the Race Kings.
- Brilliant, but Lazy: Good enough to be the #2 Race King, but is extremely lazy.
- Fratbro: It's stated that he loves to party with Rod and the Pit Girls.
- A Lady on Each Arm: In his race king intro, you're greeted with Diablo surrounded by ladies holding both his sides◊.
- Leitmotif: His theme is "Under Control" by Rootbeer.
- Status Cell Phone: One of his bio pictures shows him with a cell phone◊, showcasing his status.
Ryo Watanabe
See his character folder in the Need for Speed: ProStreet character page.
Shift 2: Unleashed
Vaughn Gittin Jr.
Click here to see Vaughn Gittin Jr. in Need for Speed (2015).
Car: Monster Energy/Falken Tire Ford Mustang GT (Shift 2: Unleashed), Ford Mustang RTR-X (Shift 2: Unleashed)
Affiliation: RTR (Ready to Rock)
"I think you got some real talent. Let's see how far you can take it."
A Real Life American Formula D driver who won the championship in 2010 and 2020.
Gittin is also the owner of RTR (Ready to Rock), a sub-brand for performance and aero parts for Ford Mustang models.
In Shift 2: Unleashed, Gittin serves as both an opponent, guide to the player and the spotter, as well as the main rival for the Drift Discipline and the Muscle Discipline. Defeating him in The Final Slide and the Muscle Championship event will award you his Monster Energy/Falken Tire Ford Mustang GT and his Ford Mustang RTR-X respectively.
He appeared in the 2015 game as a celebrity cameo, introduced to the player alongside Ken Block.
- The Bus Came Back: Gittin makes a small comeback in the 2015 reboot.
- The Cameo: His appearance in the 2015 game is a cameo, alongside Ken Block. He appears once more during the Group Photo Ending.
- Cool Car:
- His iconic custom RTR-X Mustang based on the vanilla Boss 302. Ken Block must have taken inspiration for his Hoonicorn Mustang.Vaughn: Seriously, it's one bad machine.
- His Formula D spec Falken-sponsored Mustang is cool enough to be this trope.
- His iconic custom RTR-X Mustang based on the vanilla Boss 302. Ken Block must have taken inspiration for his Hoonicorn Mustang.
- Demoted to Extra: He was the player's guide in Shift 2: Unleashed, but in his reappearance in the 2015 game he makes only a small appearance alongside Ken Block.
- Exposition Fairy: Acts as a guide to the player in Shift 2: Unleashed.
- Extremity Extremist: Name a car that is not a Mustang, as Gittin is proficient in this pony car.
- Final-Exam Boss: Gittin, who taught you everything about the ropes of racing and a few in drifting, also serves as the final opponent of the drifting discipline and in the muscle discipline. Beat him in both and his RTR drift-spec Mustang and his classic RTR-X are yours.
- Mission Control: Acts as your spotter during races, complete with a Large Ham tone and reminds you to "nail that first corner". He also provides useful information on each of the courses you're racing at for the first time.
- Mythology Gag: His iconic RTR-X made a few appearance in the later games after Shift 2: Unleashed.
- It appeared in World after the October 2011 update. However, it lacks the window decals though since unlike ProStreet, decals cannot be mounted on the windows until it's re-introduced in the 2015 reboot.
- Then it later returned in The Run as a "Team Need for Speed" Signature Edition. Achieve a Gold Medal in all "Coastal Rush" events in the Challenge Series, and this RTR-tuned Mustang is waiting in the garage.
- The Mustang Boss 302 can be modified with the RTR-X body kit in 2015, Payback, Heat and Unbound.
- The RTR-X for some reason made its cut in the cancelled Edge.
Darren "D-MAC" McNamara
G-MAC, but 3 letters behind.
Car: Toyota Corolla GT-S (AE86)
Affiliation: Team Need for Speed
"So if you can win the places like that, you'll be in great shape for the World Championship of your own."
A Real Life Irish professional drift driver that competed in the European Drifting Championship note and Formula D.
McNamara serves as the main rival for the Retro Discipline. Defeating him in the Old School Masters event will award you his Team Need for Speed Toyota Corolla GT-S.
- Extremity Extremist: A specialist in 80's and 90's sports car racing.
- Fighting Irish: Downplayed. While D-MAC is a native Irishman, that doesn't mean he has a hot-headed temper, unless it counts when he's putting his beloved car on the line.
- What a Piece of Junk: He specializes in 80's and 90's sports cars, and his 500 HP AE86 packs quite a lot of punch.
Chris Rado
Wait... since when did Ludacris start his racing career?
Car: Scion tC (both in Time Attack and Drag spec)
Affiliation: WORLD Racing, Team Need for Speed
"You need to nail one lap, and one lap only."
A Real Life American time attack driver who is also the Unlimited FWD Champion of 2009 and 2010.
Rado serves as the main rival for the Time Attack Discipline and Drag Discipline. Defeating him in the Time Attack World Championship and the 1320 Outlaws Championship event will award you his Team Need for Speed AWD Scion tC and his 2006 WORLD Racing Pro-FWD Reaper Scion tC respectively note .
- Cool Car: Both his Scion tCs speak for itself.
- Extremity Extremist: Rado is a specialist in time attack and drag events. Not to mention, an extremist in using none other than his Scion tC for both Time Attack and Drag.
- Fascinating Eyebrow: Rado would make Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson proud by performing this trope in front of the camera during his Drag Discipline introduction.
- Magikarp Power: His Downloadable Content drag-spec FWD Scion tC has the most sluggish acceleration in the game, but is very capable of going over 250 mph (402 km/h).
- Lightning Bruiser: His 1200-horsepower Team Need for Speed Scion tC is no joke, as this car is extremely brutal and punishing that he sets the fastest time with little to no effort at all. Once you obtain his car, you get to feel how this becomes a Master of All in the performance department.
- Rice Burner: Both of his Scion tCs take it on extreme strides.
- As most time attack cars have bodyworks with extremely crazy appendages. His time attack-spec tC takes this in very absurd heights; with a ridiculously large spoiler, a comically wide front spoiler and even an exhaust mounted on the bonnet! Good luck racing on bonnet cam as the backfire would obstruct the screen.
- Downplayed for its Pro-FWD Reaper, as its tones down its bodywork to a simple pro-stock-like appendages and having a basic drag-spoiler.
Tommy Milner
Car: BMW M3 GT2 (E92) (#92 Team BMW RLL)
Affiliation: Rahal Letterman Racing
"It's a war, not a battle."
A Real Life American endurance driver who once competed in the American Le Mans Series for Rahal Letterman Racing in 2007, 2009 and 2010 but also the 2011 and 2015 Le Mans winner of the GTE Pro category and 2016 IMSA winner of the GTLM category for Corvette Racing.
Milner serves as the main rival for the Endurance Discipline. Defeating him in the Endurance Challenge Of Champions event will award you his BMW M3 GT ALMS.
- Cool Car: His car is the Rahal Letterman Racing BMW M3 GT2, which was previously the game's cover car of the first Shift game.
- Extremity Extremist: Milner is an strong specialist endurance racing that applies in Real Life and in the game.
- Marathon Boss: As each endurance race takes about 30 minutes to an hour, your battle against him also counts.
Patrick Söderlund
Car: BMW Z4 GT3 (E89) (#77 Team Need for Speed Schubert)
Affiliation: Need for Speed by Schubert Motorsport, Electronic Arts, DICE
"The competition is fierce. You're gonna have to prove yourself in some of the world's toughest circuits."
A Real Life Swedish GT3 driver who once competed in the FIA GT3 European Championship for Team Need for Speed in which the team finished 6th in the championship in 2010, as well as being known for his tenure as Executive Vice President of Electronic Arts.
Söderlund serves as the main rival for the FIA GT3 Discipline. Defeating him in the FIA GT3 Championship event will award you his Team Need for Speed BMW Z4 GT3.
- Authority Equals Asskicking: Did we mention that this Badass Driver is the mastermind of forming a crazy idea for a racing program and also the Reasonable Authority Figure of EA? Not to mention he was even the CEO of DICE!note
- Badass Crew: In Real Life, he represents the German racing team "Need for Speed by Schubert Motorsport", alongside his teammate Edward Sandström who is also a rival in-game.
- Cool Car: Drives a 2011-spec BMW Z4 GT3. By default, it uses the #76 Team Need for Speed Schubert livery, but you can change it to the #77 livery.
- Mythology Gag: The 2011-spec Z4 GT3 in spades later appears after Shift 2: Unleashed:
- The car was added in the 2010 game, Need for Speed: World on June 2011, approximately 3 months after the release of Shift 2: Unleashed.
- It was later added in The Run as part of the game's VIP reward program. It's a shame the online servers were shut down in August 2021, making this exclusive car permanently impossible to obtain.
- For some reason it was added in the cancelled Edge.
"Mad" Mike Whiddett
He's not mad at you, but he is when you race him.
Car: Mazda RX-7 (FC), Mazda RX-8 (SE3P, 2006)
Affiliation: Team Need for Speed, Red Bull
"...and I ain't gonna make it easy. [beat] See ya out there, dude. Watch yourself."
Michael Whiddett or "Mad Mike" is Real Life New Zealand drifter known for his collection of rotary powered Mazda vehicles, which one of them help him become the Formula D Japan Series champion in 2018, as well as his long-time sponsorship with Red Bull.
Mad Mike serves as the main rival for the Works Discipline. Defeating him in the Works League Championship event will award you his Team Need for Speed Mazda RX-7.
- Cool Car: His modified Works Mazda RX-7 FC with fully maxed out parts. Even his Team NFS-spec RX-8 dubbed "BADBUL" also counts, too.
- Disc-One Nuke: His custom RX-8 is obtainable by simply just reaching Driver Level 5. Classified a Works-car and also an A-class car fitted with maxed out parts means that you'll be able to thrash more events with ease without need to waste money on upgrading your other cars, and also allowing you to enter the Works series without needing to spend for one.
- Extremity Extremist: He loves anything Mazda rotary cars with Red Bull stickers slapped in. And it shows.
- Mythology Gag: His Works-spec RX-8 makes an appearance in the cancelled Edge under the "Mad Mike" moniker, albeit without the livery.
- Pimped-Out Car: A Works-converted FC RX-7 complete with a wide body kit and Red Bull stickers all over. Surely that'll give fellow Kiwi driver Rhys Millen a run for his money.
Jamie Campbell-Walter
Car: Nissan GT-R GT1 (R35) (#22 Sumo Power)
Affiliation: Sumo Power GT
"Right now, you'll need to worry about passing me."
A Real Life British-Hungarian former driver who competed in the short-lived FIA GT1 World Championship and is the 2013 FIA WEC champion in the LM GTE Am category for Aston Martin. In 2019, he the founder and managing director of Bullet Sports Management.
Campbell-Walter serves as the main rival for the FIA GT1 Discipline. Defeating him in the FIA GT1 Championship event will award you his Nissan GT-R GT1.
- But Not Too Foreign: He's half British (or Scottish due to his birthplace) and half Hungarian. Despite holding dual citizenship, Campbell-Walter races under the British flag.
- Cool Car: As what the main page says, the GT-R GT1 is an icon race car that it was featured in the game's cover (alongside a custom Maserati Gran Turismo S).
- Final Boss: The final boss you will be facing against in the final racing championship.
- Graceful Loser: If you're crowned the GT1 champion, he'll congratulate you and will give you his GT-R as a prize.
- Wearing a Flag on Your Head: ...or car, as the roof of Campbell-Walter's GT-R GT1 has an elaborate Union Jack flag.
Matt Powers
Car: Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0
Affiliation: Team Need for Speed
"I'll tell you what. You can survive the tracks, and win the championship, you can have my Porsche. You just gotta rock it."
A Real Life American Formula D driver.Powers serves as the main rival for the Legends Discipline. Defeating him in the Legends Championship event will award you his Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 note .
- Animal Motifs: His 911 Carrera RSR has an elaborate zebra and cheetah pattern.
- Extremity Extremist: A specialist in handling legendary vintage sports cars.
- What a Piece of Junk: Even more so than Darren McNamara, as his specialty is cars in the 60's and 70's.
The Kozeluh Twins
Eric Kozeluh (left) and Marc Kozeluh (right)
Car: Dodge Viper GTS (SR II)
Affiliation: Twins Turbo Motorsports
"And did I mention the thing runs 250 mph? You hit 250 mph, you're gonna be so amped, you're not gonna sleep for like a week."
Real Life American twins who are also owners of Twins Turbo Motorsports.The Kozeluh twins serve as main rivals for the Standing Mile Discipline. Defeating them in the Standing Mile Drag World Championship event will award you their Dodge Viper GTS by Twins Turbo. note
- Always Identical Twins: Both Eric and Marc are identical twins.
- The Bus Came Back: Not the twins though, but their choice of car, the classic Dodge Viper GTS makes a return after it was last seen in Hot Pursuit 2.
- The Dividual: Either Eric or Marc is the one who competes in the championship, which would go under the identity as "Koz".
- Lightning Bruiser: Their custom drag-only Viper has the highest stats in the game (even higher than even the Works Gumpert Apollo), but unlike Rado's drag-spec tC, the Viper is capable of also being well-handled on corners as well.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: In-game, either of the twins appear in the final standing mile championship under their name "Koz".
- Rice Burner: The twin's Viper GTS has a ridiculously large spoiler fitted on. Justified as it is designed to race on full-mile drag races.
