Need For Speed
Platform: 3DO, Saturn, PC, PS One
Year: 1994 (1995 PC, Saturn, PS One)
Originally debuting on the ill-fated 3DO, Need For Speed quickly captured the attention of the system's dedicated following, and spilled out into the mainstream. EA answered fan demand and ported the title to the Saturn, Playstation and PC. The first Need for Speed was a little more over the top than the later entries, with a greater sense of speed, and the ability to do some rather crazy flips when crashing your car. While it didn't really have the smashing success of Ridge Racer at first, Need For Speed sold well enough to justify a sequel.
Need For Speed 2
Platform: PC, PS One
Year: 1997
The Need For Speed series has always had the emphasis on fun and fast cars. From the very outset Need For Speed II contains the McLaren F1 and the Ferrari F50. Need For Speed II will be ultimately remembered as a lackluster sequel to the original title. Graphics were less inspirational than the first and the originality of the first title was lacking.
Need For Speed 3: Hot Pursuit
Platform: PC, PS One
Year: 1998
After the disappointment of Need For Speed II, EA went back to the drawing board and worked on Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. Graphics were improved, tracks were refined, more cars were included and there was plenty of variation in the game. The pursuit mode was the highlight of the game and has featured in most of the Need For Speed games since its induction. An extra addition to the game was a simulation mode which needed to be unlocked. After doing so it was possible to actually build your car and pick slick or other tires. There wasn't as much customisation in the game that we see now.
Need For Speed: High Stakes
Platform: PC, PS One
Year: 1999
Need For Speed: High Stakes was a minor upgrade from Hot Pursuit. It featured updated car damage and aerial stunts. Need For Speed: High Stakes featured five modes, test drive, single race, hot pursuit, tournament and special events. The attention to detail with the car damage was fantastic, cars could be flipped, spinned and shattered. Losing a race could often result in players losing there vehicle, hence the High Stakes name.
Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed
Platform: PC, PS One
Year: 2000
Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed featured an entirely new car list. This version of the game featured solely on Porsches. New modes were added to the game as well ranging from Time Attack, Chase, Capture the Flag and Quick Race. There were two new modes added to the mix which distinguished Porsche Unleashed from the other Need For Speed titles. Evolution and Factory Drive modes. Evolution contained three eras starting in 1950 and ending in 2000. Factory Drive mode is like a career RPG mode. Featuring text based conversations team drivers set goals which gamers must complete.
Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed
Platform: GBA
Year: 2004
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Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed: was only released a few months ago on the Gameboy Advance, it had been over four years since the console version had been released. Porsche Unleashed featured the entire Porsche license and all the modes from the PSX version. Unfortunately the long development times hindered the potential of this title.
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Platform: PS2, Gamecube, Xbox
Year: 2002
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 was the first Need for Speed title released on the next-generation consoles. Due to different development companies the game was best on the PS2. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 was the sequel to the third title in the Need For Speed series, it was the first time a sequel has been made for a Need For Speed game. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 featured international cars and local V8 beasts. Police pursuit was even more intense with full squads of cruisers, choppers and road blocks.
Need For Speed: Underground
Year: 2003
Platform: PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, PC
Need For Speed: Underground was an entirely different title from the rest of the Need For Speed series. Featuring no police and racing entirely at night Need For Speed: Underground focused on illegal street racing. Need For Speed: Underground was the best selling Need For Speed title and reaffirmed EA’s faith in the series. After more than six months Need For Speed: Underground is still selling well. Need For Speed: Underground featured twenty of the hottest cars including Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Ford and more. Hundreds of authentic aftermarket parts were available to customize your car and new modes including drift were included.
Need For Speed: Underground
Year: 2004
Platform: GBA
Need For Speed: Underground on the Gameboy Advance was a direct port of the next-gen console versions. The best part of Need For Speed: Underground on the next-generation consoles was the sense of speed and due to the power of the Gameboy Advance cars felt like they were going extremely slow. Need For Speed: Underground was still a decent game on the Gameboy advance but was nowhere near as good as the console versions. All the modes and customization options were retained in this conversion.
Need For Speed: Underground 2
Release: 2004
Platform: PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, GBA, PC, DS
EA did it again a year later with Need for Speed Underground 2. The biggest change in this version of the franchise is the free roaming cities, which were not as immersive as EA had hoped. The game also featured a more expansive career mode and better online play.
Need for Speed Underground Rivals
Release: 2005
Platform: PSP
Rather than treat gamers to a direct port, EA reworked the Need for Speed formula, and released a PSP exclusive title, Need for Speed Underground Rivals. The game eliminated the free roaming cities and went back to the direct options that we all know and love. Whilst the game wasn't that deep, it was a great title to pick up and play on the move.
Need for Speed Most Wanted
Release: 2005
Platform: Playstation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, Xbox 360, PSP
The Need For Speed franchise returns to its roots again this year, with Most Wanted the game will bring back the police cars and insane races of some of the earlier titles. Not much is known about the game, but it is making its debut on next generation consoles, launching simultaneously with the XBox 360 at the beginning of next year.
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