You must complete a specific number of races and reach a certain Visual Rating (Star Rating) to appear on DVD and Magazine covers, which are required for progression.

To complete Need for Speed Underground 2 (V1.2), you must navigate five distinct stages, managing both your racing performance and your car's "Visual Rating" to unlock career-ending events. Version 1.2 is primarily a technical update that improves performance for NVIDIA 6800 cards and enables LAN play without an internet connection.

Career mode is split into five chapters. Moving to a new stage replaces current race locations with new ones.

Use a softer rear suspension and lower your rear tire grip to make the car slide more easily. All-wheel drive (AWD) cars are often recommended for easier control during drifts. Completionist Strategy (100%) NFS Underground 2 – FULL GAME (No Commentary) : r/NFSU2

To maximize power, drop the torque settings at low RPMs and maximize them for the 5,000–10,000 RPM range, where you spend most of your time.

Tuning is essential for beating harder difficulty races and perfecting your setup.