|
|
| Year |
Game |
Notes |
1996 |
Need For Speed
[available on PS1, 3D0, SATURN, PC] |
The first entry in the arcade racing series. The original full title was called "Road And Track Presents The Need For Speed", but by the next game, Road and Track was dropped, and it was just known as "Need For Speed". The game featured cars such as the Acura NSX, Dodge Viper and the Toyota Supra. Each car had it's own "cockpit view", which was really never seen in a NFS title again. Also, this was one of the only NFS games to have point-to-point races. |
1997 |
Need For Speed II
[available on PS1, PC] |
Basically a sequel to the original NFS with more focus on exotic supercars. Not too much in terms of improvement. |
1997 |
Need For Speed: V-Rally
[available on PS1] |
Electronic Arts published Infogrames (now Atari) V-Rally game under the "Need For Speed" name in the U.S.. The game really has little to do with the NFS franchise, and it's just a straight-up rally racer.. |
1998 |
Need For Speed III: Hot Pursuit
[available on PS1, PC] |
Introduces the police chase/pursuit mode that has become a favorite for many fans of the series. |
1999 |
Need For Speed: High Stakes
[available on PS1, PC] |
The fourth intallment of the NFS franchise introduces one of the first pink-slip modes. Here, if two players had a NFS: HS save on each of their memory cards, they could race against each other to win their opponents car, which would be permanently removed from the loser's file. The game was also the first to allow players to buy cars and upgrades, and earn money through races. |
1999 |
V-Rally 2: Presented by Need For Speed
[available on PS1] |
Sequel to the first U.S. V-Rally game released, which was again published and rebranded by EA. Included a course editor. Ported to the Dreamcast under "Test Drive V-Rally" by Infogrames in 2000. |
2000 |
Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed
[available on PS1, PC] |
The only NFS title to devote itself to one auto maker. It was also developed outside of EA, by Eden Software (which also did V-Rally 2). |
2002 |
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit II
[available on PS2, GC, XBOX, PC] |
The first "next gen" title of the PS2/GC/XBOX era. Includes a much broader pursuit mode as well as regular race events. For some reason, the GC and XBOX versions are slightly different in terms of design and graphics. |
2003 |
Need For Speed Underground
[available on PS2, GC, XBOX, PC, GBA] |
A drastic shift in terms of design, basically abandoning the supercars in favor of sport coupes and import tuners. EA also created a unique night-time look for the game which has been ripped off quite a few times since it's release. Inlcuded hundreds of body modifications. First console NFS game to be online (PS2 version only). |
2004 |
Need For Speed Underground 2
[available on PS2, GC, XBOX, PC, GBA, DS] |
Sequel to NFSU that offered more of the same, but now included a free-roam environment that was kind of useless. First NFS game on Xbox LIVE. Notorious for it's bombardment of in-game advertising. |
2005 |
Need For Speed Underground Rivals
[available on PSP] |
Launch PSP title. Rivals was a modified version of the console NFSU games designed exclusively for the PSP. |
2005 |
Need For Speed Most Wanted
[available on XBOX 360, XBOX, GC, PS2, PC, GBA, DS] |
XBOX 360 launch title. NFS Most Wanted blended the gameplay style NFS Hot Pursuit 2 with the current Underground titles into one of the better NFS games to date (despite it's poor visual downporting on current gen consoles). EA decided to scrap online support for the PS2 version, since much of their focus was on XBOX Live support for the current and next gen Microsoft systems. |
2005 |
Need For Speed Most Wanted 5-1-0
[available on PSP] |
Specially designed version of NFS Most Wanted for the PSP. |
