We can surely say that the Need for speed games are one of the best racing games you can ever come across. If you call yourself a fan of Need For Speed, you must know all the best releases so that you don’t miss any of the games. So let’s scroll & see the best Need For Speed games below. The Need for Speed franchise has grabbed players’ attention more than any other racing franchise. For a racing game to stand out, so many different things must occur. It must include sophisticated driving mechanics, in-depth car customization, intensely captivating tracks, and more. Video game racers have a very broad wish list. So let’s see the top Need For Speed games which are outstanding in every aspect.
All The Best Need For Speed Games | Ranked
Need for Speed has quite a history, spanning over 20 years, from severely illegal street racing to legal track driving. Need for Speed has repeatedly shown that it is a fantastic gaming series with top-notch gameplay. Need for Speed: Underground and other such games are incredibly nostalgic. The fact that more of these games aren’t backward compatible throws us for a loop. The best Need for Speed video games are listed here, from worst to finest so do take a look.
1. Need For Speed: Underground 2
Release Date: November 9, 2004. Developers: Electronic Arts, EA Black Box, EA Vancouver, Pocketeers, and Idea Works Games Studio. Rating: 4.5/5
About – The best Need For Speed game of all time is Need For Speed: Underground 2, which has a wide enough selection of cars and the ability to customize them for the game to stand alone. The best part of Need For Speed Underground 2 is the career mode, while the online and local multiplayer wasn’t awful either. Since this Need for Speed game allows for the most personalization of any other, it is regarded as one of the best Need For Speed games of all time. Also, read Now.gg Sonic Speed Simulator | Play Sonic Speed Simulator Online
2. Need For Speed: Shift 2 – Unleashed
Release Date: March 29, 2011. Developers: Slightly Mad Studios and Straight Right. Rating: 4/5
About – The game’s career mode is what sets Need for Speed: Shift 2 – Unleashed apart and makes it one of the best Need for Speed games. Its races pit top-tier drivers against a variety of tracks. The sequel to Need for Speed: Shift Unleashed is a vast upgrade. The graphics don’t appear to be all that antiquated for a game that was launched in 2011. The racing simulator game Shift 2 Unleashed “redefines the genre by presenting precise and true-to-life, dynamic crash dynamics, as well as extremely detailed real-world cars, drivers, and tracks,” according to the developer.
3. Need For Speed: Most Wanted 2012
Release Date: October 30, 2012. Developers: Criterion Software Rating: 4/5
About – The driving game Need For Speed: Most Wanted is a masterpiece. Who would have thought that a game that was launched on platforms like Android, iOS, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 could be fun? It avoided the trend of poor reboots. In fact, it could have been the finest on mobile. It was appealing since virtually everyone could participate in the game. It was modeled after Need For Speed Underground, but it also set itself alone with distinctive racetracks and excellent driving mechanics, which made this series one of the best Need For Speed games. The VGX Award for Best Driving Game went to it. You must play this Need for Speed game!
4. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Release Date: October 2, 2002. Developers: Electronic Arts, EA Black Box, Manley & Associates, and EA Vancouver Rating: 4/5
About – A few of Need For Speed’s most well-known games are part of the Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit game series. With enhanced gameplay, greater open-world settings, and some of the best exotic cars ever, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 returned as one of the best Need For Speed games. Players can even travel off-road in the game, which at the time of its debut was uncommon in video games. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 is comparable to titles like Forza Horizon in our minds.
5. Need For Speed: Underground
Release Date: November 17, 2003. Developers: Electronic Arts, EA Black Box, Global VR, and Pocketeers Rating: 3.5/5
About – Given the level of customization, it wouldn’t be impossible to rank Need for Speed: Underground higher on this list. It served as the starting point for further Underground and Need for Speed games. Even a Dodge Neon or a Honda Civic might be converted into a race car, as demonstrated by NFSU. The game was made available for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PC. Drag races and time attacks at NFSU were entertaining. The underground car scene was popular when this game came out, which was about the same time as The Fast and the Furious. Also, read How To Fix FIFA 23 Game Failed To Launch Please Try Launching The Game Again Error | Glitch Fix
6. Need For Speed: Shift
Release Date: September 15, 2009. Developers: EA Bright Light, Electronic Arts, and Slightly Mad Studios Rating: 4/5
About – Longtime fans may find the lack of a narrative to be off-putting, but the game does have some novelty, thanks to the change toward simulation. Fans can fulfill their racing fantasies with the help of highly realistic vehicles from different points of view. Let’s see the next game series in the best Need for speed games list.
7. Need For Speed 2015
Release Date: November 3, 2015. Developers: EA Gothenburg Rating: 4/5
About – Need For Speed (2015), one of the most eagerly awaited Need For Speed games to be published, revived the subterranean vibe while introducing upgraded graphics and a more engaging open world. But many of Need for Speed’s most known features, like car customization and race diversity, fell short. Drag races should have been included in the game. The plan should have succeeded, but it was poorly executed. Need For Speed (2015) is one of the best Need For Speed games, despite its egregious shortcomings. Also, read Bloxston Mystery Codes November 2022 | Level Up Your Game!
8. Need For Speed: Most Wanted
Release Date: 11 November 2005 Developers: Criterion Software Rating: 4.5/5
About – Need for Speed: Most Wanted, released in 2012 and set in an open environment, aims to gratify devoted fans by reintroducing the best aspects of the first game and fusing them with ideas from other titles. You can walk around and explore the Need for speed city all by yourselves wherever and whenever you want. The only drawback is the lack of attraction in the single-player mode because the races aren’t as good. The game excels at pushing the limits of multiplayer racing, with tournaments delivering the thrilling experience fans crave. Let’s see the next best series in the list of all the best Need For Speed games.
9. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
Release Date: November 16, 2010. Developers: Exient Entertainment, DICE, Criterion software, and IronMonkey Studios. Rating: 4/5
About – Players in this breathtaking open-world racing game compete against either illegal or police drivers. The first video game to let players operate a police car was Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. It has a story mode for a police officer and a most wanted driver. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, from the creators of the Burnout series, is a lot of fun. When it first came out in 2010, this game stood out. Its unique cars and driving mechanics are outstanding which also makes it one of the best Need for Speed games. Future Need for Speed games should follow the example set by Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. Also, read 9 Best Fallout Games Till 2022 | All Fallout Series Ranked
10. Need For Speed: Carbon
Release Date: October 30, 2006. Developers: EA Canada, Rovio Mobile, EA Black Box, and Electronic Arts. Rating: 3/5
About – Need for Speed: Carbon has a shorter single-player campaign than Need for Speed: Underground, but it is still very good. Additionally, compared to Need for Speed Underground, it offers fewer automobile customization. It deserves to be listed among the top & the best Need For Speed games for street races because it lets you use nitrous oxide and has genuinely enjoyable gameplay that is constantly surprising. It still plays nicely for a game that came out more than ten years ago. The game offers great replay value and excellent driving mechanics. Need for Speed: Carbon is a game that nostalgic players can return to without hesitation.
11. Need For Speed: Undercover
Release Date: November 18, 2008. Developers: EA Black Box and Electronic Arts Rating: 3.5/5
About – Players take on the role of an undercover police officer, although police pursuits are still a big element of this Need For Speed installment. Participants in street races and drivers of stolen vehicles infiltrate a criminal organization. In this game, you can move at absurd speeds. Need for Speed: Undercover is regarded as one of the best Need for Speed games to this date in part because of its thrilling experience. Even role-playing game components in the game let users customize their officially licensed real-world vehicles. Also, read 10 Best PVP Games on Roblox | Roblox Player VS Player Games
12. Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed
Release Date: March 29, 2000. Developers: Pocketeers, EA Vancouver, Esen Studios, inc., and Eden games Rating: 4.3/5
About – One of the game’s downsides is how well-versed it is in promoting Porsche automobiles. Due to the exclusivity of Porsche, it presents a limited perspective on the racing industry. However, the game is still entertaining, and this could be the most refined version yet. In addition, Porsche Unleashed is the first game to provide a real narrative, allowing players to participate in it in addition to the racing action. Another intriguing element is the emphasis on pulling off stunts. Let’s see the next best series in the list of all the best Need For Speed games. Also, read 10 Best Survival Games on Roblox to Try in 2022 | Top Roblox Survival Games
13. Need for Speed: Rivals
Release Date: November 15, 2013. Developers: EA Gothenburg and Criterion Software Rating: 4/5
About – We can easily compare Burnout Paradise and Need for Speed: Rivals it is not something that is not out of the ordinary. As both games are open-world and contain cinematic crashes. Need for Speed: Rivals, unfortunately contain a good number of problems and malfunctions. If it had been more polished, the game may have been a great launch release for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game’s principle seems fine on paper, but it wasn’t well executed. Even so, Need For Speed: Rivals is among the best Need For Speed games.
14. Need For Speed II
Release Year: 1997 Developers: EA Vancouver, Electronic Arts, and Manely Associates. Rating: 3.5/5
About – Need for Speed II was the coolest game ever back in the day. Although the game’s campaign mode and creative flair were lacking, its flash and style made up for those flaws. Not to mention the variety of vehicles and racetracks available, as it is one of the best Need For Speed games. The game’s major flaw was that it was so glitchy; problems were frequent and frequently interfered with gameplay. Even though the game was praised for making the automobiles look extremely realistic, its sleek nature is still deserving of praise. Also, read 22 Best Assassin’s Creed Games Ranked | Top Games to Play
15. Need For Speed: ProStreet
Release Date: November 14, 2007. Developers: EA Black Box, EA Vancouver, Exient Entertainment, and IronMonkey Studios. Rating: 4/5
About – For this ProStreet, the series attempted to strike a balance between an arcade-style and a simulation, which led to a bit of confusion in the finished product but still, it is one of the best Need For Speed games. Things are tighter in the game as a result of the increasing attention on the legal aspects of racing, which don’t really translate to the “fun” side of things.
16. Need For Speed: Heat
Release Date: November 8, 2019. Developers: EA Gothenburg Rating: 4/5
About – The most recent game in the series, Need For Speed: Heat, brings the total to an astounding 24. Heat appears to have all the ingredients for success at first glance, including stunning visuals, precise driving controls, and the recognizable gameplay aspects that fans of the franchise adore. Open-world exploration, car customization, sim-style upgrading, arcade racing action, and even thrilling police pursuits are all included. Which makes this series one of the best Need For Speed games. Also, read All FNAF Games In Order | Five Nights At Freddy Franchise Timeline
17. Need For Speed: The Run
Release Date: November 15, 2011. Developers: EA Black Box and Firebrand games Rating: 4/5
About – In 2011, the Need for Speed series made an attempt to produce a story-based adventure that was unlike anything they had ever produced. In the majority of classic NFS games, players began as amateur racers and competed to achieve “respect” in order to advance through the ranks and become the best of the best. This idea is abandoned in Need for Speed: The Run in favor of a much more intriguing one: a real-world cross-country race where the player character’s life is on the line. Let’s see the next game series in the best Need for speed games list.
18. Need For Speed: V-Rally 2
Release Date: June 30, 1999. Developers: Eden games & Atari SA Rating: 3.5/5
About – Many players might not be familiar with Need for Speed: V-Rally 2 due to its unusual title and emphasis on rally racing, but it is one of the best Need For Speed games. The PlayStation version of the release debuted in 1999, and the Dreamcast version followed in 2000. If it doesn’t look recognizable to those of you who played the Dreamcast version, that’s because the game’s name has been changed from Need for Speed to Test Drive V-Rally. Also, read 10 Intriguing Games Like Trove | Trove Alternatives
19. Need For Speed: Nitro
Release Date: November 3, 2009. Developers: EA Montreal and Firebrand games Rating: 3/5
About – The game Need For Speed: Nitro served as something of an “experiment” for the series. In order to make the Need for Speed brand “even more compelling,” the game’s 2009 release was restricted to Nintendo platforms (particularly the Wii and DS). It did this by improving the racing experience and removing superfluous details. The final product was meant to be a game that would play and feel better for younger audiences while still appealing to die-hard franchise enthusiasts. And it worked and made its way to one of the best Need for speed games.
20. Need For Speed
Release Year: 1994 Developers: Criterion Games Rating: 3.5/5
About – Since the franchise wouldn’t be nearly as well-known as it is now if its 1994 predecessor hadn’t paved the way for the future, it is quite difficult to leave the original Need for Speed off a list of the best of the best Need for speed games. The original game, which provided players with incredibly enjoyable arcade-style racing over captivating tracks with stunning visuals, was seen as quite a technological advance for its day (from a 1994 standpoint).
Watch Top 10 Best Need For Speed Games
Wrapping Up
So this was the ultimate list of all the best Need for Speed games. I hope I was clear on every game, and if you have any further questions, you can post them in the comment section. Go and check out all the above-mentioned top Need for Speed games. After that, you can also check out my other gaming articles on Path of EX. That’s it for today. Take care and enjoy Need for Speed gameplay, and I’ll see you again in yet another interesting blog post. Happy Gaming!
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