New cars and parts are also unlocked as the player progresses through Career mode by beating Blacklist racers. These come in the form of six markers – the rival's pink slip (which is concealed as a bonus marker), two bonus function markers, and three custom backroom parts markers of which there is a body part, visual upgrade, and performance marker ('Junkman Marker') that the player can select – of which the player can choose only two.

Career mode introduces a new feature – the ability to win a Blacklist opponent's car ('pink slip'), bonus functions, extra cash or car parts and decors, after defeating the opponent in question. In the Xbox 360 version, the player is awarded with achievements each time a Blacklist opponent is defeated. Achieving goals by winning races and performing a number of actions, dubbed 'Milestones', during police pursuits, as well as a minimum Bounty are needed to advance in the storyline and race against any of the mode's 15 Blacklist racers. The available cars and events are unlocked as the player progresses through the storyline in the Career mode.

The Quick Race mode allows the player to select a car and an event and immediately start racing. The game provides players with three game modes.

Need for speed most wanted 2005 digital