In this article, we’ll list all the main Need for Speed games in order of release. Published by Electronic Arts, Need for Speed has remained one of the oldest and most iconic racing franchises in gaming. Over the years, the series has experimented with different gameplay styles, but it’s always stayed true to its roots with that classic arcade-style racing.
As of now, the Need for Speed series has hit 25 main titles. Starting with the original in ’94 and running through to Unbound in 2022, this list covers the major console and PC releases that shaped the franchise.
No, not really. Most entries don’t follow a connected storyline, so you’re free to jump into whichever game catches your eye. Some lean more into pure arcade chaos, others into a more story-heavy game, but there’s no need to follow a set order. You can enjoy gaming through them chronologically to see how the series evolved, or just skip to the ones that sound interesting. Up to you!
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Image Credits: EA
The game that started it all. Back then, this felt like the most realistic way to drive a Ferrari without selling your house. It was less about chaos and more about soaking in the vibe of driving elite cars, with the occasional police chase thrown in. Think classy driving sim with just a pinch of spice.
Image Credits: EA
This one ditched realism for arcade fun. The handling was looser, the cars were flashier (shoutout to the McLaren F1), and the global tracks added variety. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was fun, fast, and easy to pick up—even without the cops.
Image Credits: EA
Here’s where the magic happened. Police chases became the main event, and you could finally play as the cops, too. Roadblocks, spike strips, sirens—it was all here. This is when NFS started becoming the wild ride we know today.
Image Credits: EA
Crash your car? Pay the price. High Stakes added car damage and risk-based racing, where losing could mean losing your ride. It made things more intense, especially in multiplayer. A little realism with a lot of stress.
Image Credits: EA
Ever wanted a history lesson with your racing game? This entry was a love letter to Porsche fans. No cops, no chaos—just decades of Porsche history, real handling physics, and a career mode that felt more like a museum on wheels.
Image Credits: EA
Now we’re talking full-blown arcade mayhem. Choppers dropping spike strips, relentless cops, exotic cars—it was loud, fast, and pure adrenaline. Especially great on PS2, where it looked and played the best.
Image Credits: EA
This one hit like The Fast and the Furious in game form. Out went the Lambos, in came body kits, neon lights, and pounding soundtracks. No police, this is pure street racing and all the car customisation your 13-year-old self could dream of.
Took everything from the first game and made it bigger. Open-world city? Check. More car mods? Yup. Drag, drift, and circuit racing? You bet. Underground 2 was a full street racing sandbox, and for many fans, it’s still the ultimate NFS.
Image Credits: EA
The GOAT for a lot of people. Police chases came back in full force, and the Blacklist gave you 15 rival racers to take down. It mixed the drama of Underground with the thrill of Hot Pursuit. This game defined the franchise for years.
Image Credits: EA
Carbon picked up where Most Wanted left off, but took us to canyon roads. It brought back drifting, introduced crews, and expanded the car classes. The night setting and new race types gave it personality, though it never hit the same highs as its predecessor.
Image Credits: EA
NFS went clean with ProStreet—legal races, real tracks, and actual car damage. Some fans didn’t vibe with the shift away from street racing, but it had depth and tried something new with tuning and physics. Bold move, even if it didn’t fully pay off.
Image Credits: EA
This one tried to bring back the open world and cops, plus a story with undercover drama and live-action cutscenes. It had potential, but performance issues and weird acting held it back. Still, highway chases were solid.
Image Credits: EA
Suddenly, NFS turned a sim-racer. Shift focused on immersion, realistic driving, and cockpit views. It was actually great—just not what long-time fans expected. More Gran Turismo than Hot Pursuit.
Image Credits: EA
A Nintendo-only spinoff with bright visuals, over-the-top effects, and quick arcade gameplay. Pure fun, especially on the Wii, but not a “core” NFS entry.
Image Credits: EA
An online experiment that mashed up Most Wanted and Carbon into a shared MMO world. It had police chases, car mods, and social features—but heavy microtransactions and server issues dragged it down. Shut down in 2015.
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Image Credits: EA
Criterion took the wheel and crushed it. This reboot was fast, focused, and all about cops vs racers. No upgrades or story fluff—just pure, high-speed fun with Autolog to compete against friends. One of the best reboots.
Image Credits: EA
Shift 2 doubled down on the sim experience. Helmet cam, night racing, and weighty physics gave it serious motorsport vibes. Great if you liked Shift 1, but very far from classic NFS chaos.
Image Credits: EA
Race from San Francisco to New York—on foot during cutscenes, apparently. The Run had cool ideas and epic set pieces, but the QTEs and awkward story dragged it down. A fun experiment that didn’t quite hit the bullseye. Gotta give props to the graphics department though, this NFS entry was one of the most beautiful.
Image Credits: EA
Another Criterion reboot. Open-world racing with billboards to crash and cops to dodge. Fast and flashy, but die-hard fans missed the car modding and narrative from the 2005 version. Still a good time if you liked Burnout Paradise.
Image Credits: EA
Next-gen debut with shared multiplayer (via AllDrive), dynamic weather, and crazy cop chases. It looked great and played well, but lacked depth. Fun for pick-up-and-play, not so much for long-term fans.
Image Credits: EA
Reboot #3. This one leaned into tuner culture again with heavy customisation, night racing, and more awkward live-action cutscenes. Always-online was annoying, but visually? Gorgeous. A love letter to car modders.
Image Credits: EA
Fast & Furious vibes all the way. Heists, a revenge plot, and three characters to swap between. Unfortunately, loot-box upgrades and grindy mechanics killed the momentum. Pretty world, but not much soul.
Image Credits: EA
Finally, a solid comeback. Race legally during the day, then risk it all at night with the cops. Customisation was deep, the city (Palm City) was vibrant, and the gameplay loop was addictive. Fans saw this as NFS finding its groove again.
Image Credits: EA
A simple visual remaster of the 2010 classic with crossplay and all DLC included. Nothing revolutionary, but a nice reminder of how fun pure cop chases can be.
Image Credits: EA
The last of the Need for Speed games in order, Unbound is the boldest NFS yet. Realistic cars meet anime-style effects in a unique art style. Customisation is amazing, and the split between day and night races adds depth. It’s flashy, fresh, and aimed at bringing NFS into the modern age.
Racing games today, like Gran Turismo, Forza, and Assetto Corsa, focus on simulating real-world driving. Need for Speed, on the other hand, has always kept things fun and accessible with its arcade-style gameplay, making it a standout in a sea of more realistic racers. On top of that, playing the Need for Speed games in order will help you appreciate just how far this franchise has come, even though it hit some hurdles along the way.
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