The Need for Speed series is one of the most popular and long-running racing game franchises. Since the first game launched in 1994, there have been over 20 titles released in the main series across multiple platforms. In this article, we will take a look at every single Need for Speed game released so far.
The Early Years (1994-2002)
The first few Need for Speed titles established the core formula of fast cars, cops chases, and illegal street racing that the series would become known for.
Need for Speed (1994)
Developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts, the first Need for Speed game released in 1994 for 3DO before being ported to MS-DOS, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and more. It featured exotic cars like the Ferrari F50 and Lamborghini Diablo that players could race across scenic point-to-point tracks. Police pursuits made their debut in this title, starting the franchise’s long history of cop chases.
Need for Speed II (1997)
Need for Speed II arrived in 1997 with new tracks, cars, and graphics modes like Glide support for 3D acceleration. This sequel introduced pursuit and racing modes, as well as a rudimentary career mode. It also brought in real-world automotive manufacturers like Porsche and Dodge and allowed players to customize the color of their cars.
Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit (1998)
The third Need for Speed game put a greater emphasis on evading the police. Hot Pursuit mode featured police cars actively chasing and attempting to bust racers. The title also expanded the car roster to include exotics like the Lotus Esprit V8 and Chevrolet Corvette C5. This game also marked the introduction of the Hot Pursuit branding that would be reused throughout the series.
Need for Speed: High Stakes (1999)
High Stakes added several new features like car damage affecting vehicle performance, in-depth tuning and upgrades, and a career mode spanning multiple racing types. Gamers could also race for pink slip ownership of the opponent’s car. In terms of sales, High Stakes sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (2000)
As the name suggests, Porsche Unleashed featured Porsche vehicles exclusively. The game included a detailed history of Porsche models and racing history. Players could tweak Porsche models like the 911 Carrera for top performance. Porsche Unleashed also incorporated more realistic physics and handling compared to earlier titles in the series.
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 (2002)
The sequel Hot Pursuit 2 went back to the cops vs racers roots of earlier games. It featured Hot Pursuit races with police chases plus a brand new World Championship mode. Exotic cars from manufacturers like Mercedes, Jaguar, and Aston Martin were available to collect and drive. This was also the first Need for Speed brought to sixth generation consoles like the PS2 and original Xbox.
The Peak PS2/Xbox/GameCube Era (2003-2006)
In the early to mid-2000s, Need for Speed expanded in scope and popularity, releasing several acclaimed titles on PS2, Xbox, and GameCube.
Need for Speed: Underground (2003)
Underground shifted the setting from exotic racetracks to the illegal street racing scene. Highly customizable cars, a story-driven career mode, and hip hop cultural influence made this entry stand out. Drift races and extensive visual customization like neon lights helped define the new style. Underground sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
Need for Speed: Underground 2 (2004)
The Underground sequel built on everything fans loved about the original. It continued the story mode with more character focus and expanded the world to new areas. Hundreds of visual customization options let players create unique rides. Underground 2 also introduced SUVs as drivable vehicles for the first time.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)
In Most Wanted, street racers were back on the run from the law. Racers had to make it to the top of a Most Wanted driver list while evading a ramped-up police force. Most Wanted added new pursuit features like tactically taking down racers with roadblocks and spike strips. Exotic cars returned along with visual customization and a sizeable open world setting.
Need for Speed: Carbon (2006)
Carbon continued the city street racing setting with crews and rival teams. Unique canyon duels, Autosculpt body customization, and next gen graphics provided new gameplay innovations. The Collector’s Edition introduced real-time lighting and shadows to the series for the first time.
Seventh Console Generation (2006-2012)
Need for Speed expanded in many new directions across PS3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo and handheld platforms.
Need for Speed: ProStreet (2007)
ProStreet took the series back to legal, organized racing like drag and grip events. Real life famous courses like the Autobahn were included. This entry featured realistic damage modeling affecting car performance. ProStreet also heavily utilized the Autosculpt customization system introduced in Carbon.
Need for Speed: Undercover (2008)
Undercover returned to the criminal underground street racing scene against a backdrop of crime syndicates and theft rings. Police chases once again took center stage. Undercover also included new gameplay features like highway battles where players had to take down opponent cars.
Need for Speed: Shift (2009)
Shift focused heavily on simulation and realistic driving physics. The game featured professionally sanctioned circuit races over illegal street competitions. Players could tune real licensed cars for optimum track performance. Shift placed more emphasis on technical driving using manual gears and vehicle tuning.
Need for Speed: Nitro (2009)
Nitro was an arcade-style racer designed for Nintendo DS and Wii platforms. The cell shaded art style and over the top speed focused gameplay catered towards a casual audience. This was the first Need for Speed title built specifically for Nintendo systems.
Need for Speed: World (2010)
World brought the franchise into the online multiplayer space as an MMO racing game. Players could compete with others across large persistent worlds. World incorporated elements from previous games like Most Wanted and Carbon for its mechanics and locations.
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)
The 2010 Hot Pursuit reboot aimed to capture the spirit of the original PS1 games. Racers could play as police or street racers across open world tracks using gadgets and weapons to take out the opposition. New online multiplayer modes let up to 8 players compete or collaborate. This reboot was well received for its polished presentation.
Shift 2: Unleashed (2011)
Unleashed continued the simulation focus introduced in Shift. New performance tweaking options like tire pressure and gear ratios upped the realism. Players could also experience aggressive and violent racing collisions thanks to the advanced damage system.
Need for Speed: The Run (2011)
The Run featured a large illicit cross-country street race spanning from San Francisco to New York. Quick time action sequences and gameplay variety like rival battles helped create a cinematic experience. For the first time in series history, players could leave their car and explore on foot.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012)
The 2012 Most Wanted rebooted the popular 2005 title of the same name. Open world police pursuits, car customization, and a biggest most wanted driver structure retained core elements while modernizing the gameplay. This version emphasized exploration and discovery across the game world.
Eighth Console Generation (2013-2017)
The latest generation of Need for Speed continued to innovate with new tech and gameplay ideas.
Need for Speed: Rivals (2013)
Rivals incorporated seamless online multiplayer for the first time in Need for Speed. Racers could take on drivers and cops controlled by other real world players. New gadgets like EMPs and shockwaves enhanced the cop vs racer experience. Players could switch between playing as cops and racers fluidly in the open world.
Need for Speed (2015 Reboot)
This Need for Speed reboot went back to street racing basics with customization and police chases. Extensive visual customization let players style unique rides. The game also introduced real world car cultures like stance and low riding to the series for the first time.
Need for Speed: No Limits (2015)
No Limits brought Need for Speed to mobile as a free to play game. Players could collect cars, customize them visually, and take them through illegal street races. No Limits featured unique mechanics like real time waiting periods for upgrades tailored towards casual mobile play.
Need for Speed: Payback (2017)
Payback incorporated an action driving style with heist elements. Players could customize cars for specific story missions ranging from off-road racing to prolonged cop pursuits. An RPG style performance upgrade system increased possibilities for unique car builds.
Need for Speed: Edge (2017 – 2019)
Need for Speed Edge was an online multiplayer focused F2P title exclusive to Asian markets like South Korea and China. The game continued receive support and updates into 2019 before being discontinued.
Need for Speed: Heat (2019)
Heat took place across a fictional city inspired by Miami and featured legal sanctioned racing during the day giving way to illegal street competitions at night. Upgrades were split into day and night categories tailored for type of race. Police return as formidable night time pursuers with car disabling weaponry.
The Future
While no new mainline Need for Speed games have been released since Heat, the series will likely continue in the future across current and next gen platforms. Criterion Games, the studio behind earlier titles like Hot Pursuit 2010 and Most Wanted 2012, is reportedly working on a new Need for Speed entry. With over 25 years of history spanning multiple generations of consoles and gaming technology, Need for Speed has cemented itself as one of the most significant racing game franchises.
Conclusion
From its roots in exotic supercars to the world of illegal street racing, Need for Speed has covered a lot of ground. Through yearly releases and constant reinvention, Need for Speed has maintained relevance over more than two decades in the gaming industry. Even as technology and platforms advance, the core thrills of high speed chases and tricked out cars continue to find an audience. With decades of history to build on, the future of Need for Speed still burns rubber off into the horizon.
