For the hardcore fans, many of the classic games in theNeed for Speedfranchise are some of the best in the series. Some will point toNeed for Speed: UndergroundorUnderground 2as the best mainline entry, others will point to the originalNeed For Speed: Most Wantedfrom 2005. Some fans will point to the newerNeed for Speed: Hot Pursuitas the best entry in the series. EveryNeed for Speedfan has their favorite (and not-so-favorite) entry in the franchise, considering the series' 20+ year legacy has featured plenty of different racing experiences. For newer fans of the franchise, it’s soon going to become much more difficult to experience the franchise’s origins.
As the nextNeed for Speedgame is delayed indefinitely to supportBattlefielddevelopment, olderNeed for Speedgames are also going away very soon. Five games in the franchise have been delisted from online storefronts, and will be taken offline in a few months:Need for Speed: Carbon,Need for Speed: Undercover,Need for Speed: Shift,Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed, andNeed for Speed: The Run. EA’s community manager mentioned that these games had reached a player count where subsequent support was not feasible, which to some degree makes sense. These aren’t necessarily the bestNeed for Speedgames, but they are underrated and special.
Need for Speed: Carbon
Billed as a sort-of sequel to 2005’sNeed for Speed: Most Wanted, the story continues in Palmont City inNeed for Speed: Carbon. Rather than placing the focus on escaping the police like in the previous entry,Carbonacted more as a meld betweenMost WantedandUnderground. While many of theMost Wantedrace types (circuit, sprint, speedtrap, etc.) were present, the main attraction ofNeed for Speed: Carbonwas the canyon races, similar to the Toge in Japanese street racing. Players compete in canyon races to defeat several street racing crews, rather than specific blacklist members fromMost Wanted.
In comparison to 2005’sMost Wanted,Need for Speed: Carbonwas not nearly as popular or as successful, but it was still just as special. Even to this day, canyon races and the expanded car customization inCarbonstill holds up just as well. It may not compare toMost Wanted, butCarbon’s offering as a sequel is just as iconic, if subtle.
Need for Speed: Undercover
Bringing the focus back to police chases from a new perspective,Need for Speed: Undercoverput players in the shoes of the titular clandestine role. This game was not particularly well-received on release, understandably so. The game had numerous technical issues as a cross-gen title between PS2/PS3,especially in comparison to similar titles likeMidnight Club: LAorBurnout Paradise, which released in the same year. The game was comparatively far less difficult, had a much lower car density, had heavily criticized elements of progression, among other problems.
Some PC players have made improvement mods to make the game playable, but to bring this game back would likely require some overhauling. That being said, the premise and story ofUndercoveris still iconic for the series. It takes some patience, but the hardcore fans have found thatUndercoverdoes have some redeeming qualities.
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Need for Speed: Shift and Shift 2: Unleashed
For the first time in a long time,Need for Speed: ShiftandShift 2: Unleashedbrought the series back to a simulatory experience akin to that ofForzaorGran Turismo. Many praised the game’s simulation-style racing mechanics that still maintained a level of arcade-like handling as well, so as not to be prohibitively difficult at first.Shiftwas far different from games likeUndercoverandCarbonbefore it, eschewing illegal street racing for exhibitions and legal race tracks. Giventhe popularity of titles likeForza Horizon, as well as bothForza MotorsportandGran Turismoreturning in the near future,Need for Speed: ShiftandShift 2occupy a very similar niche.
TheShiftentries find a nice balance between the simulation-style racing found in those similar franchises, whilst also retaining some of the fun factor of previous campy titles in the series. It’s hard to compare to more modern titles that offer a similar experience, butNeed for Speed Shiftoffers plenty of challenging but rewarding races for those looking for a more realistic-leaning experience.
Need for Speed: The Run
Need for Speed: The Runreceived a pretty mixed reception at launch, and understandably so. Evencompared to games likeUndergroundorMost Wanted, which leaned directly into early 2000s street racing culture and all of the cheese it can provide,The Runwas almost like an awful imitation of that spirit. Players were tasked with racing across the United States the fastest to get a huge cash prize, all the while contending with other racers and gaining better cars along the way. Coupled with a largely linear story and gameplay experience,Need for Speed: The Run’s interesting premise was marred by some questionable story and gameplay design decisions along the way.
Which is a shame, because some of the set pieces, rival races, and moments in between are some of the best in theNeed for Speedfranchise as a whole. That being said, the game was very different from previous efforts, and never got even remotely close to the popularity of greater mainstream entries in the series.
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