| Electronic Arts has done it again. The Need For | | | | interesting. The hundreds of different combinations of |
| Speed racing series is back with a vengeance, and it | | | | after-market parts you could install to your car, gave |
| is thanks to the huge success with the Underground | | | | the game more variety and flair. |
| Series. Need For Speed came to life in 1994 with the | | | | The soundtrack was excellent and fitted perfectly |
| title Road & Track Presents: Need For Speed. The | | | | into the atmosphere of underground racing. This was |
| original game focused on realism and was more of a | | | | the first game in the series that did not have exotic |
| driving simulator than an arcade style racing game. It | | | | cars in its lineup. The career mode introduced in Need |
| also included high speed police chases which gave the | | | | For Speed: High Stakes, came to full circle in |
| game a lot of popularity. Need For Speed II did not | | | | Underground. Fans still missed a couple of things, |
| include the police car chases and had a more arcade | | | | namely network play and the high speed police |
| feel to it. | | | | chases. EA rectified the absence of network play in |
| Each of the first two games had also a special | | | | Need For Speed Underground 2. The game had |
| edition. The sequel did not live up to expectations so | | | | everything the first Underground had plus more. New |
| EA brought back the police chases in Need For Speed | | | | racing modes was introduced, new ways to |
| III: Hot Pursuit. It was still an arcade racing title but | | | | customize your car, more after-market parts, as well |
| the Hot Pursuit mode had more depth than the first | | | | as the free roaming world. Outrun races brought |
| game and made it more fun to play. You even had | | | | back the feel of the police chases fans came |
| the opportunity to be the cops. EA followed up their | | | | accustomed too. EA was obviously doing something |
| success by releasing Need For Speed: High Stakes | | | | right. |
| Road Challenge in 1999. Fans had mixed feelings | | | | Need For Speed Most Wanted, the next release in |
| about this installment and complained that the game | | | | the series, will have all the strong points of previous |
| had too many similarities to Need For Speed: Hot | | | | installments: the high speed, adrenaline rush police car |
| Pursuit. But the game had a couple new innovations. | | | | chases that was introduced in the first game, there |
| This was the first game of the series with damage | | | | are rumors that there may be damage models in the |
| models. It also had a career mode where you bought | | | | game, but it is not certain, the demo may reveal |
| cars and upgraded them as you progressed through | | | | more of this. There will again be a storyline in the |
| racing tournaments. | | | | game and the feel of the Underground series will still |
| The next installment of the series was Need For | | | | be present, so you will still be able to pimp your ride. |
| Speed: Porsche Unleashed. Although it was a great | | | | Most Wanted also brings back exotic cars, but there |
| success amongst Porsche fans and a great piece of | | | | will still be import tuners. So you will be able to tune |
| work with the in depth coverage of the history of | | | | those exotics also. |
| Porsche, it did not have the variety of the previous | | | | There will also be quite a number of new racing |
| games. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 made its | | | | modes to look forward to. The objective of the |
| appearance two years later, but was not such a | | | | game is to become the most notorious racer on the |
| success as the first Hot Pursuit, due to the huge | | | | street by evading the police and leave your |
| presence of arcade style racing. | | | | opponents hanging in the dust. It is clear that EA has |
| EA played their cards right with the release of Need | | | | listened to the fans throughout the series and |
| For Speed Underground. The game still had an arcade | | | | implemented suggestions from the gaming |
| feel to it and there were no damage models. But did | | | | community. Need For Speed always impressed in the |
| not compromise the game's success. The introduction | | | | department of appearance and graphics, and from |
| of import tuners and car customization made it a hit | | | | what I've seen from screen shots and preview |
| amongst fans. The game was completely revamped | | | | movies, the game looks stunning. |
| by also introducing a storyline to make it more | | | | |