Need for Speed (NFS) is a series of racing video games published by Electronic Arts (EA). The game has come a long way (spanning almost two decades) and with the upcoming Need for Speed: Most Wanted, (to be released on October 30, 2012, for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC) it seems only fit to backtrack several years and dive briefly into a few facts about each installment in the franchise.
Like I mentioned in part 1, there are a total of three generations in the Need for Speed franchise, so let's move on to the second generation.
Second Generation
Need for Speed: Underground (2003)
Released on November 17 and was the first Need for Speed to require Hardware Transform and Lighting in Graphics and Lighting Graphic Cards. It also made a shift from semi-professional racing and isolated circuits to the street racing style of other arcade racing series. Also, one thing gamers may have noticed was that there were no cops in Underground or Underground 2.
Need for Speed: Underground 2 (2004)
Several SUV's are introduced, which could be customized as extensively as other Underground 2 vehicles and used to race against other SUV racers. The customization features in the game were greatly expanded to modifications that have no definite effect on vehicle performance.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)
One of the first games released for the Xbox 360. Police chases were seen and it represented a significant body of the gameplay. It had extremely positive reviews and received universal acclaim from reviewers in all gaming websites and magazines. The graphics, sounds effects and general gameplay were praised. In 2012, it was confirmed that the latest game in the series will also be named Need for Speed: Most Wanted. (We'll get to that in a few).
Need for Speed: Carbon (2006)
Sequel to Most Wanted and is the first NFS game for the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. In addition, it was the last for Nintendo GameCube and Xbox. If you noticed, drag racing was removed from the series, but a new type of race called "Canyon Dual" was added. The game also featured a new car customization option called "Autosculpt" which enabled players to utilize aftermarket car parts and shape/mold the parts to their liking.
Need for Speed: ProStreet (2007)
Primary features include realistic damage, a return to realistic racing (rather than the arcade-like racing), modeling, burnouts and much more. Unfortunately, sales for the game were poor and critics criticized the game because of its awkward, unrealistic physics engine, apparently tedious single player career mode and unresponsive controls.
Need for Speed: Undercover (2008)
The game focuses on tuning and cop chases, much like Most Wanted. Features a damage system and now players can experience car parts breaking off after a crash. According to EA, the game has sold over 5.2 million copies on all 8 platforms combined. It is also the first game in the series to use the current logo's typeface.
Check back for Need for Speed: Third Generation