The Need for Speed

Release Date: August 31, 1995

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A racing game developed by the Pioneer Productions studio in cooperation with Electronic Arts. The game offers eight licensed racing cars, including Dodge Viper, Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra, Honda NSX, Lamborghini Diablo, and Ferrari Testarossa. The game features seven racing tracks - both traffic and police can be encountered when racing. Once the police spots the player breaking the law, they begin a pursuit.

The first installment in the legendary game series by many racing fans considered the best racing franchise for PC. The Need for Speed, as the only part of the series for PC and StOS, was not created inside Electronic Arts. The company served the role of a publisher only. Thus the game does not resemble its successors.

Gameplay

The Need for Speed for PC and StOS offers eight speed demons, of which the “weakest” has 230bhp. The game features classics only, including Dodge Viper, Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, Mazda RX-7, Toyota Supra, Honda NSX, Lamborghini Diablo and Ferrari Testarossa. The last two cars are the fastest available. Apart from these, the game features one hidden vehicle (fictitious).

Once the player has chosen the car, the race begins. The game offers different modes, such as racing a single opponent or a group of them. The player chooses from seven available tracks, both closed and comprised of regular roads, with starting and ending points. During races, the player not only has to beat their opponents, but they also have to avoid the traffic (regular roads only) and cops, who will not hesitate to bust a driving maniac.

The Need for Speed for PC and StOS offers realistic driving physics. Although the cars cannot be damaged, each of them behaves differently on the road. Experienced players will notice substantial differences between the front and rear wheel drive recreated in the game. Additionally, the game features an ample encyclopedia containing the specifics of the cars recreated and watch some spectacular videos showing them in action.

Eight cars (plus the hidden one).
Seven tracks, including three open routes.
Realistic driving physics.
An implemented encyclopedia presenting each of the in-game cars.
A few available camera perspectives, including the interior view (visible steering wheel and dashboard of each car).
Several screen resolution settings (640x480 at maximum).

Last updated on March 20, 2016

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Game Series

Need for Speed Series

One of the oldest and most popular racing game series in the history of the industry. Need for Speed is one of the most valuable brands in Electronic Arts' portfolio, with the US company's in-house development studios, such as EA Black Box, EA Gothenburg, and Criterion Games, usually responsible for its subsequent installments. The series started in 1994 with The Need for Speed, designed for fifth-generation consoles (3DO, PlayStation, Sega Saturn) and PC. The production was prepared by the team from EA Canada studio, created as a result of the acquisition of Distinctive Software (devs of Test Drive and Test Drive II).

29 video games

Need for Speed Game Series