Need For Speed: The Series

What is the first name that comes to mind when someone says ‘racing game’? It certainly is not Burnout, even though it’s a fantastic one. And it certainly is not Dirt, which again is a fantastic series. This is a series whose games are known across all countries, which have been played by at least all age groups of kids who own a computer. This is Need for Speed we are talking about. Yet even after existing for quite some time (and by that I mean 1994), there’s no denying that the series has had its shares of up and downs, and in the past few years it has stagnated. However, it also cannot be denied that it has left a lasting impression on gamers, while also inspiring other studios to up their game. With more than 20 titles till date, there’s no two opinions regarding its cult status.

‘The Need for Speed’ came out in 1994 and was developed by EA Canada, which till few years back had functioned as a different studio (Distinctive Software incorporated). It featured realistic physics, which was not a regular feature of later titles, and offered six distinct environments. Before this game, SEGA was the studio which was known for its arcade-style racing games, while PC gamers had choices such as NASCAR and IndyCar, that offered realistic gameplay. However, those who owned consoles were out of luck. That changed with the release of this game on the PlayStation in 1996.

The series has seen the birth and demise of various consoles, and it still stands. Hot Pursuit, the third title, received strong reviews, and allowed players to play as cop or racer. Its sequel (Hot Pursuit 2), that came out in 2002, introduced the game to the Xbox console, thus extending its reach among gamers, while it also featured a shift from realistic gameplay to arcade-style.

Underground was the next title to be released in 2003, and the game brought a change in style for the franchisee, focusing on a story, introducing a city setting, and retaining the arcade style of its predecessors. Its success paved way for similar approach through the years. 2005 was the year, however, that the game truly achieved stardom, with the release of Most Wanted. Featuring the arcade style gameplay along with live action footage and CGI acting, the game was certainly ambitious, and it still makes its presence known at various competitive events.

The next few years, however, were a mixed bag, with an inferior but still good sequel (Carbon), and two duds (ProStreet and Undercover). 2010 saw EA hand over development to British Developer Criterion Games, resulting in a reboot of Hot Pursuit, which again saw critical acclaim, strong sales, and a bunch of awards. The studio released a Most Wanted reboot in 2012, which was again met with a very favourable reception from gamers and media.

The past 4-5 years have seen the franchisee try to reinvent itself, however, results have been mixed thus far, with a strong showing from NFS Rivals offset by two mixed results in the form of Need for Speed reboot, and Payback. The franchisee expanded in the movie domain with the release of ‘Need for Speed’ in 2014, which turned in good profits. The franchisee is still alive, even though it’s uncertain what the future games will bring to the table, with strong competitors in the form of ‘Forza’ and ‘Gran Turismo’ series.