A fan developer has released NFS Underground 2 Revived, a web browser port of the 2004 PlayStation 2 racing game that adds multiplayer functionality. The port requires no download and runs free-to-play in any browser. Players can now race alongside dozens of other players simultaneously in the game's open-world city, or opt into solo play if they prefer the original experience.
The project launched late October but gained viral attention after clips showed the chaos of thousands of player-controlled cars colliding on streets never designed for online multiplayer. According to the site's data, thousands of players currently use the port.
The developer stated they created the project because they used to play Underground 2 as a younger person and wanted to "play together again." They added that the port "worked surprisingly well, and it got a bit out of hand" and expressed satisfaction that "so many people playing it."
The developer used AI coding tools to create the port, as documented on the project's GitHub page. EA, the original publisher of Underground 2, has not yet taken action against the port.