Need for Speed is one of the most popular and enduring racing franchises in the gaming industry. Since its debut in 1994, it has released 24 main titles, spanning various genres, platforms, and styles. From illegal street racing to professional track driving, from arcade action to realistic simulation, from open-world exploration to story-driven missions, Need for Speed has covered almost every aspect of the racing genre.
But not all Need for Speed games are created equal. Some are widely praised by critics and fans alike, while others are panned for their flaws and shortcomings. In this article, we will rank the Need for Speed games from best to worst, based on their Metacritic scores, user reviews, and our own personal opinions. We will also include some relevant FAQs at the end of the article to answer some common questions about the franchise.
Table of Contents
13 Best Need for Speed Games Ranked Below:
1. Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)
Metacritic score: 90/100 (PC), 89/100 (PS2), 83/100 (Xbox)
User score: 8.5/10 (PC), 9.1/10 (PS2), 8.8/10 (Xbox)
Need for Speed: Most Wanted is widely regarded as the best Need for Speed game of all time. It combines the thrill of illegal street racing with the tension of police chases, creating a dynamic and immersive open-world experience. The game features a compelling story mode, where you have to climb up the blacklist of the most notorious racers in Rockport City, while avoiding the relentless pursuit of the police force led by Sergeant Cross. The game also has a variety of cars, customization options, race modes, and challenges to keep you entertained for hours. The game’s graphics, sound effects, and soundtrack are also top-notch, creating a realistic and atmospheric environment.
2. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)
Metacritic score: 86/100 (PC), 89/100 (PS3), 88/100 (Xbox 360)
User score: 7.4/10 (PC), 7.9/10 (PS3), 7.8/10 (Xbox 360)
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is a reboot of the classic Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 games from the late 90s and early 2000s. It is developed by Criterion Games, the same studio behind the Burnout series, and it shows in its fast-paced and explosive gameplay. The game lets you play as either a racer or a cop, each with their own career mode, vehicles, weapons, and abilities. The game also introduces the Autolog system, which allows you to compare your performance and achievements with your friends online, and challenge them to beat your records or join you in co-op or competitive modes.
3. Need for Speed: Underground 2 (2004)
Metacritic score: 82/100 (PC), 86/100 (PS2), 85/100 (Xbox)
User score: 8.6/10 (PC), 9.2/10 (PS2), 9/10 (Xbox)
Need for Speed: Underground 2 is the sequel to the highly successful Need for Speed: Underground, which introduced the street racing culture and customization options to the franchise. Underground 2 expands on its predecessor by adding a large open-world map, more cars, more parts, more modes, and more features. The game’s story mode follows your character as they try to rebuild their reputation and career after being betrayed by a former friend and rival. The game also has a strong soundtrack featuring hip-hop, rock, and electronic music artists.
4. Need for Speed: Underground (2003)
Metacritic score: 82/100 (PC), 85/100 (PS2), 83/100 (Xbox)
User score: 8.5/10 (PC), 9/10 (PS2), 8.9/10 (Xbox)
Need for Speed: Underground is the game that revolutionized the franchise and set the standard for future street racing games. It is inspired by the popular Fast and Furious movies and features a similar plot and style. The game focuses on illegal street racing in a dark and gritty urban setting, where you have to compete in various events such as circuit races, sprint races, drag races, drift races, and more. The game also allows you to customize your car with a wide range of parts, decals, vinyls, and neon lights, giving you the freedom to create your own unique ride.
5. Need for Speed: Carbon (2006)
Metacritic score: 78/100 (PC), 74/100 (PS2), 74/100 (Xbox)
User score: 7.8/10 (PC), 8.3/10 (PS2), 8.1/10 (Xbox)
Need for Speed: Carbon is the sequel to Need for Speed: Most Wanted and continues the story of the protagonist who escaped from Rockport City. The game takes place in Palmont City, where you have to reclaim your territory from rival crews and race against the police and a mysterious bounty hunter. The game introduces the concept of crew members, who can assist you in races with their skills and abilities. The game also features a new mode called Canyon Duel, where you have to race on narrow and dangerous mountain roads.
6. Need for Speed: Rivals (2013)
Metacritic score: 76/100 (PC), 80/100 (PS4), 76/100 (Xbox One)
User score: 5.4/10 (PC), 6.9/10 (PS4), 6.1/10 (Xbox One)
Need for Speed: Rivals is another game that lets you play as either a racer or a cop, with their own career modes, vehicles, weapons, and gadgets. The game is set in Redview County, a fictional location that features diverse landscapes and weather conditions. The game also uses the Frostbite 3 engine, which delivers stunning graphics and physics. The game’s main feature is the AllDrive system, which seamlessly connects you with other players online, allowing you to join or leave races, pursuits, or events at any time.
7. Need for Speed: Shift (2009)
Metacritic score: 83/100 (PC), 84/100 (PS3), 83/100 (Xbox 360)
User score: 6.7/10 (PC), 6.5/10 (PS3), 6.4/10 (Xbox 360)
Need for Speed: Shift is a departure from the street racing theme of the previous games and focuses on professional track racing instead. It is developed by Slightly Mad Studios, who are known for their realistic racing simulators such as Project CARS and Assetto Corsa. The game aims to provide an authentic and immersive driving experience, with a detailed cockpit view, realistic physics, dynamic lighting, and a driver profile system that tracks your performance and style.
8. Need for Speed: Heat (2019)
Metacritic score: 72/100 (PC), 74/100 (PS4), 73/100 (Xbox One)
User score: 5.8/10 (PC), 7.1/10 (PS4), 6.9/10 (Xbox One)
Need for Speed: Heat is the latest entry in the series and the first one to feature a day-night cycle that affects the gameplay. During the day, you can participate in sanctioned races and earn money to upgrade your car. During the night, you can join illegal street races and earn reputation to unlock new parts and events. However, you also have to deal with the corrupt and aggressive police force that will chase you down and try to bust you. The game also has a vibrant and colorful aesthetic that contrasts with the dark and gritty tone of some of the previous games.
9. Need for Speed: ProStreet (2007)
Metacritic score: 62/100 (PC), 62/100 (PS2), 63/100 (Xbox)
User score: 5.9/10 (PC), 6.7/10 (PS2), 6.5/10 (Xbox)
Need for Speed: ProStreet is another game that tries to shift from illegal street racing to professional track racing, but fails to deliver a satisfying experience. The game lacks the fun factor and excitement of its predecessors, as it removes the open-world exploration, police chases, and customization options that made them popular. The game also has poor graphics, sound effects, and physics, making it feel outdated and dull.
10. Need for Speed: No Limits (2015)
Metacritic score: N/A
User score: N/A
Need for Speed: No Limits is a free-to-play mobile game that attempts to bring the Need for Speed experience to handheld devices. However, it suffers from many of the common problems of mobile games, such as limited gameplay, repetitive content, intrusive ads, and pay-to-win mechanics. The game also has poor graphics, sound effects, and physics, making it feel cheap and unpolished.
11. Need for Speed: Undercover (2008)
Metacritic score: 65/100 (PC), 64/100 (PS2), 65/100 (Xbox)
User score: 5.1/10 (PC), 6.4/10 (PS2), 5.9/10 (Xbox)
Need for Speed: Undercover is a game that tries to recapture the success of Need for Speed: Most Wanted, but fails miserably. The game features a clichéd and poorly written story mode, where you play as an undercover cop who infiltrates a criminal organization and participates in various races and missions. The game also has a bland and boring open-world map, with low-quality graphics, sound effects, and physics. The game’s difficulty is also inconsistent and unfair, with rubber-banding AI and overpowered police.
12. Need for Speed: The Run (2011)
Metacritic score: 69/100 (PC), 71/100 (PS3), 68/100 (Xbox 360)
User score: 4.9/10 (PC), 5.7/10 (PS3), 5.6/10 (Xbox 360)
Need for Speed: The Run is a game that tries to add a cinematic and narrative element to the racing genre, but fails to deliver a compelling and enjoyable experience. The game features a linear and scripted story mode, where you play as a racer who participates in a cross-country race from San Francisco to New York, while being chased by the mob and the police. The game also features quick-time events and on-foot segments that interrupt the flow of the gameplay and feel out of place. The game’s graphics, sound effects, and physics are decent, but not enough to save the game from its flaws.
13. Need for Speed: Payback (2017)
Metacritic score: 61/100 (PC), 61/100 (PS4), 61/100 (Xbox One)
User score: 3.9/10 (PC), 4.6/10 (PS4), 4.8/10 (Xbox One)
Need for Speed: Payback is a game that tries to emulate the Fast and Furious movies, but ends up being a frustrating and disappointing mess. The game features a cheesy and predictable story mode, where you play as three characters who seek revenge against a corrupt cartel that controls the city of Fortune Valley. The game also features a loot box system that affects the progression and customization of your car, forcing you to either grind or pay real money to get better parts. The game’s graphics, sound effects, and physics are mediocre at best, making the game feel dull and lifeless.
Conclusion
Need for Speed is a franchise that has had its ups and downs over the years, but it still remains one of the most beloved and influential racing franchises in the gaming industry. It has produced some of the best and worst racing games ever made, with different styles, genres, and features. Whether you prefer street racing or track racing, arcade action or realistic simulation, open-world exploration or story-driven missions, there is a Need for Speed game for you. We hope this article helped you find out which Need for Speed games are ranked the best and worst in the series.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Need for Speed franchise:
Q: What is the newest Need for Speed game?
A: The newest Need for Speed game is Need for Speed: Heat, which was released in November 2019.
Q: What is the best-selling Need for Speed game?
A: The best-selling Need for Speed game is Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005), which sold over 16 million copies worldwide.
Q: What is the next Need for Speed game?
A: The next Need for Speed game is currently in development by Criterion Games, who previously developed Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010) and Need for Speed: Rivals (2013). It is expected to be released in late 2023 or early 2024.
Q: What is the best platform to play Need for Speed games on?
A: The best platform to play Need for Speed games on depends on your personal preference and availability. Most of the Need for Speed games are available on multiple platforms, such as PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and mobile devices. However, some of them may have exclusive features or better performance on certain platforms. For example, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered (2020) has cross-play functionality on all platforms except Nintendo Switch.
