asphalt is great in that I love the burnout series, which it replicates perfectly. Takedowns are sooooo much fun! But the graphics and general gameplay weren't for series racing. After a TON of careful consideration, I bought fastlane over the others. It's tough, the graphics are beautiful, the physics and controls are great, the interface is easy, and best of all I can listen to my own music if I want which I hated about asphalt. Though, the built in songs are so darn awesome I wish I could buy them.
Haven't played the other serious racers.
Nate