Need for Speed Most Wanted (2005) remains a fan favorite for its thrilling police chases and intense racing. A key aspect of dominating the blacklist and becoming the most wanted is understanding how to tune your car. This guide focuses on acquiring the best performance upgrades, specifically the coveted Junkman parts, to maximize your car’s potential.
Conquering the Blacklist and Unlocking Performance Upgrades
The game revolves around defeating 15 Blacklist racers, each presenting unique challenges and rewards. Winning races, completing milestones (police evasion objectives), and accumulating bounty (your “worth” to the police) are essential to progress. Each Blacklist racer has specific requirements that must be met before challenging them.
After defeating a Blacklist rival, you’re presented with a choice of rewards: cash, impound strikes, get out of jail free cards, and most importantly – performance upgrades. These come in three tiers: Visual (vinyls, gauges), Parts (body kits, spoilers, rims), and Performance (Junkman parts).
While visual and standard part upgrades offer aesthetic customization, Junkman parts are the key to unlocking true performance. These unique components provide significant stat boosts beyond even the highest-level “Ultimate” parts available for purchase. Acquiring the full set (Suspension, Engine, Transmission, Turbo/Supercharger, Tires, Brakes, Nitrous) is crucial for maximizing your car’s performance.
Strategic Acquisition of Junkman Parts
The decision to choose Junkman parts or a Blacklist racer’s car often depends on your current progress and tuning strategy. Early in the game, Junkman parts are generally the better choice, providing a substantial performance edge.
Some Blacklist racers offer cars already equipped with Ultimate parts. These cars, when combined with a full set of Junkman parts, can achieve absolute peak performance. Notable examples include:
- Baron (Blacklist #10 – Porsche Cayman S): This car is highly recommended for its exceptional handling, providing a significant advantage even before applying Junkman parts.
- Ming (Blacklist #6 – Lamborghini Gallardo): Comes pre-loaded with a full set of Ultimate parts, making it an ideal candidate for Junkman enhancements.
Blacklist Racers and Reward Choices:
Here’s a breakdown of each Blacklist racer and the strategic implications of their reward choices:
| Blacklist # | Name | Car | Recommended Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Sonny | VW Golf GTI | Junkman Parts |
| 14 | Taz | Lexus IS 300 | Junkman Parts |
| 13 | Vic | Toyota Supra | Car |
| 12 | Izzy | Mazda RX-8 | Junkman Parts |
| 11 | Big Lou | Mitsubishi Eclipse | Junkman Parts |
| 10 | Baron | Porsche Cayman S | Car (Highly Recommended) |
| 9 | Earl | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII | Junkman Parts |
| 8 | Jewels | Ford Mustang GT | Junkman Parts |
| 7 | Kaze | Mercedes CLK-500 | Junkman Parts |
| 6 | Ming | Lamborghini Gallardo | Car (with Ultimate Parts) |
| 5 | Webster | Chevrolet Corvette C6 | Junkman Parts (if you have Ming’s car) |
| 4 | JV | Dodge Viper SRT-10 | Junkman Parts (with Ultimate parts car) |
| 3 | Ronnie | Aston Martin DB9 | Junkman Parts (unlocks all Ultimate parts) |
| 2 | Bull | Mercedes SLR McLaren | Junkman Parts |
| 1 | Razor | BMW M3-GTR | No Markers |
Achieving Peak Performance
Ultimately, the path to achieving maximum performance in NFS Most Wanted 2005 involves strategic acquisition of Junkman parts and leveraging cars pre-equipped with Ultimate upgrades. By understanding the reward structure and making informed choices, you can dominate the Blacklist and become the most wanted.
