ProStreet features customization of cars. The new damage system introduces more depth of damage (except on the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions, where the damage modeling has been scaled down due to the limited processing power, so the damage is similar to the previous two games) where any object in the game world has the potential to inflict cosmetic damage, light damage, or heavy damage on a car, and even has the potential to total a car immediately after impact. Other than gameplay itself, ProStreet features detailed damage modeling, unlike previous Need for Speed games (except NFS High Stakes and Porsche Unleashed) where damage is relatively little or non-existent altogether. Points are scored based on speed, angle, and how long the drift is held.
Extra points are awarded to drivers who 'dominate' the course by holding the fastest time for every segment of the track. In Sector Shootout the track is divided into several segments, with drivers attempting to complete these sectors in the shortest possible time. In Time Attack, the driver with the fastest overall single lap time wins the event. Group A starts about 10 seconds ahead of group B, both groups race on the same course but are only competing against the 3 drivers in their group. The racers are placed into the groups based on their vehicles performance potential. Grip Class races take 8 racers and divide them into two even groups. First driver to cross the finish line wins. Normal Grip races feature 2 to 4 laps around a circuit track with up to 7 other racers.
However, all racing in ProStreet takes place solely on closed tracks, making ProStreet the first game in the series since Need For Speed II that doesn't animate illegal racing. In previous installments, racing scenes are set around streets with moving traffic. Need for Speed: ProStreet took the series in a different direction of gameplay. Ryan becomes the Street King, the best racer in the world. Finally, the Showdown King, Ryo Wantanabe, who drives a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, challenges Ryan and is consequently defeated. As he defeats each King, he rises in rank. After breaking enough records of a certain race mode, he moves onto elite organizations in order to challenge that mode's King. After dominating that, he moves onto the next sponsor: R3act Team Sessions and continues to do what he did in Battle Machine. Ryan wins and dominates enough race days sponsored by Battle Machine to move onto a showdown at Chicago Airfield sponsored by Super Promotion. The player, as Ryan Cooper, then moves to the first proper race day: Battle Machine. The game starts where a former street racer known as Ryan Cooper drives into a race day with a Nissan 240SX and dominates it.