Well I think it's about time I post my list.
1.
Underground 2. Is and always has been my most favorite NFS game for many reasons. One of the most notable for me was the customization's which I think it somewhat outranks any other NFS game in that field and the fact I could run free in explore mode without having to worry about any of them stupid cops getting in the way. I actually didn't mind the fact it was always dark and that you had to customize to continue through the game. There is so much more I can type here about this game. Been a very LONG time since I have actively played it again, but one day I plan to get back into it and finish what I started long ago.
2.
Carbon. This game is beyond legendary for me. Many games come and go for me over the years, but this is one that never really phases out for me, even now. It has a great car list and customization, the introduction of autosculpt as well as the ability to move vinyls around took it to a new level. I was pleased to see it was set at night again kind of like Underground 2 was. While the career was short, it was pretty interesting along with it continuing where Most Wanted left off and once it is done, you of course have the reward cards which kept me busy for quite a while and despite the challenges, the rewards for completing them was well worth it. (They let you drive a fire truck and civic cruiser for crying out loud!) The cops were less annoying than they were in Most Wanted which was great to me since I don't really like cops. Started out with the PS2 version and later got the PS3 version, but I have yet to play it. Still a great game to this day!
3.
Undercover. I got the PS2 version and I actually loved this game a lot. (Unpopular opinion I know) It was actually the last NFS game I ever truly enjoyed. The game was pretty laid back, career was easy (Although short), customization's were good, and the cops weren't bad at all, I mean you drive by them and they won't chase you unless you hit them and if you do, they are super easy evade compared to the older titles. The car list was satisfying and the fact it had the Zonda and the CCX was like the icing on the cake for me. (I have a CCX I absolutely love driving enough to were it often brings me back to the game again
) I got a lot of enjoyment out of doing chasedown mode with the cop cars when I finished the career and it's still fun to play it again even now. It brings back sweet memories from my early high school years just to play it again.
4.
Prostreet. I started out with the PS2 version and I didn't like it much at first, I thought it was confusing and the fact it had no street racing or free roam turned me off for a while. However I played it some more and I was impressed by the rather large car list and the customization's. Those two things kept me playing and I eventually accepted the fact it wasn't street racing and I enjoyed it. A few years later, I watched some Youtube videos and I noticed the car list was even bigger on the PS3 version and it was faster when customizing, so I bought it to relive the fun on a better console and I still do not regret it!
5.
Most Wanted (2005). Never has been a favorite for me, but I still enjoyed it right much on my PS2 and I prefer it over many other NFS titles I have played in recent years. After playing Underground 2 a lot, I was pleased to see super cars in the game, I remember driving my Gallardo for the first time and loving the engine sound. Wasn't too impressed with the customization's at all especially since you can only add 1 vinyl, but it was better than nothing. The story line was great and it did provide a great challenge that could keep me busy for a while. One perk this game has that no other manages to provide well is hacks. It becomes much more interesting when you hack the game to get hidden cars as well as some that weren't even met to be driven. (Like the Black Edition cars, traffic cars, cop cars and even the police helicopter) This game wasn't a favorite, but I still it like anyway.
Honorable mention:
Underground. Got this one shortly after getting Underground 2 and it didn't get played much since I was addicted to some other games at the time, but I did like it and one day I hope to continue were I left off almost a decade ago because I know it will be worth my time.
Yea I am pretty much all about the 2nd gen NFS games and they have always been my favorite. I have barely played the 1st gen and I haven't liked any of the titles they have done since Shift. I have faith in the new release though and that is the first time I have had total confidence for an NFS title since the release of Undercover. I got it recently and have yet to play it since I don't have a PS4 yet, but I have a feeling it may become part of this list later on.