Need for Speed series

Updated: 03/05/2023 by Computer Hope

The Need for Speed overview

The Need for Speed

Type: Simulation
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Release Date: 08/31/1995
Developer: Pioneer Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts

The Need for Speed was the first game in the Need for Speed (NFS) game series. You race various cars, including some exotic cards and Japanese imports, on seven different tracks, plus an eighth track that can be unlocked. You can also be pursued by police and be ticketed or even arrested, adding an additional element of fun to the game.

The Need for Speed started what would become a long running, and very successful, video game series, spanning multiple platforms and many countries. Anyone who enjoys racing cars, especially exotic cars, will enjoy this game.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows - Apple - Linux

Windows System Requirements
Operating System: MS-DOS 5.0
Special Edition version of game is playable on Windows 95
Processor: Intel 486DX (DOS)
Intel Pentium 75 MHz (Windows 95)
Memory: 8 MB (DOS)
12 MB (Windows 95)
Graphics Card: VGA graphics, 256 colors, 512 KB Video RAM
DirectX: DirectX 2 (for Special Edition game version & Windows 95)
Sound Card: Sound Blaster compatible sound card
Hard Drive Space: 4 MB (DOS)
30 MB (Windows 95)
CD/DVD Drive: 2X CD-ROM
Controls: Keyboard & Mouse
Joystick optional
Multiplayer: IPX network connection required for multiplayer on Windows 95

Need for Speed II overview

Need for Speed II

Type: Simulation
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Release Date: 04/30/1997
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Need for Speed II takes the high pace racing action to real life. The player can race on many tracks with various exotic cars, against either computer-controlled racers or against other real people via multiplayer gameplay.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows - Apple - Linux

Windows System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 95
Processor: Intel Pentium 90 MHz
Memory: 16 MB RAM
Graphics Card: SVGA graphics, 640 x 480 resolution
Sound Card: Windows compatible sound card
Hard Drive Space: 10 MB
CD/DVD Drive: 2X CD-ROM
Controls: Keyboard & Mouse
Joystick/Gamepad or Steering Wheel optional
Multiplayer: Requires Modem/Internet, LAN or Serial connection

Need for Speed II cheats

  • hollywood - Bonus Track
  • pioneer - Gives secret cars a very powerful engine
  • slip - Gives access to super slip and slide mode
  • *Hold the 'N' key while in the loading screen to race at night

These codes give you access to secret cars: (these codes can be entered at the red screen that says continue, replay or restart to save time)

  • Quattro - Audi Quattro
  • armytruck - Army truck
  • snowtruck - Snow truck
  • commanche - Commanche pick up truck
  • semi - Big Rig
  • bmw - BMW
  • jeepyj - Jeep YJ
  • miata - Mazda Miata
  • mercedes - Mercedes
  • bus - School Bus
  • landcruiser - Toyota Land Cruiser
  • Volvo - Volvo station wagon
  • vwbug - VW Beatle
  • vanagon - VW Combi
  • vwfb - VW Fastback
  • drive29 - tours
  • drive30 - limo
  • drive31 - citroen 2CV
  • drive36 - wheel barrel
  • drive37 - outhouse
  • drive38 - TREX
  • drive39 - Western wagon
  • drive40 - souvenir stand 1
  • drive41 - souvenir stand 2
  • drive42 - souvenir stand 3
  • drive43 - log
  • drive44 - wooden crate
  • drive45 - monorail
  • drive46 - hover cop car
  • drive47 - UFO
  • drive48 - hover sewage truck
  • drive49 - snow covered wooden box

Other secrets:

  • Drive at night:
    • 1.Choose your track, car, opponents, ETC.
    • 2.Start your race
    • 3.While your track is loading, hold the 'N' key
    • 4.Now you can race at night!!!
  • Drive Town Cars:
    • 1.Put in the NEED FOR SPEED II game CD in your CD-ROM drive.
    • 2.At the main menu type busme, miasma, Semite, or volvome. choose one and press race
    • 3.You will here a whoosh sound before you press race.
    • 4.You'll find yourself in a towncar.

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit overview

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit

Type: Simulation
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Release Date: 09/30/1998
Developer: EA Seattle
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit takes all the great action of fast pace racing and increases it even more. Play good or bad as you have the law in hot pursuit, or use radar, dispatches, and roadblocks to stop the speed racer.

Need for Speed III is an excellent racing game and a must for anyone who has the need for speed.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows - Apple - Linux

Windows System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 95, Windows 98
Processor: Intel Pentium 133 MHz - With a 3D graphics accelerator
Intel Pentium 166 MHz - Without a 3D graphics accelerator
Memory: 16 MB RAM
32 MB recommended
Graphics Card: DirectDraw compatible PCI graphics card
3Dfx compatible 3D accelerator card recommended
DirectX: DirectX 5.0
Sound Card: Recommended 16-bit DirectX compatible sound card
Hard Drive Space: 90 MB, plus space for saving games
Additional HDD space is needed for DirectX install
CD/DVD Drive: 4X CD-ROM
Controls: Keyboard & Mouse
Joystick/Gamepad or Steering Wheel optional
Multiplayer: Requires Modem/Internet, IPX compliant LAN or Serial connection

Need for Speed: High Stakes overview

Need for Speed: High Stakes

Type: Simulation
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Release Date: 09/29/1999
Developer: EA Seattle
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Need for Speed: High Stakes continues the highly popular and successful racing game franchise, bringing more exciting races on tracks in Western Europe and North America. Players once again can choose to race a number of different exotic cars, each with their individual levels of racing realism and handling.

The fourth game in the Need for Speed series, it is the first to provide a damage model from contact with other cars and the surrounding environment. The game also features a career mode, allowing the player to win tournaments and trophies, and even unlock new cars to race with and new tracks to race on.

Need for Speed fans and general racing fans will definitely enjoy this game and all it has to offer.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows - Apple - Linux

Windows System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 95, Windows 98
Processor: Intel Pentium 166 MHz
Memory: 32 MB RAM
Graphics Card: SVGA graphics, High Color support
3D accelerator supported
Sound Card: Windows compatible sound card
Hard Drive Space: 50 MB
CD/DVD Drive: 4X CD-ROM
Controls: Keyboard & Mouse
Joystick/Gamepad or Steering Wheel optional
Multiplayer: Requires Modem/Internet or IPX compliant LAN connection

Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed overview

Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed

Type: Simulation
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Release Date: 03/28/2000
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed focuses on the racing of Porsche cars. The Porsche models available range from 1950 to 2000 and the player races these cars across a number of tracks in Europe.

Electronic Arts studied the Porsche cars and added more realism into the game, in terms of how the cars handle and perform. If you are a fan of Porsche cars and enjoy racing cars, this is game that you are sure to enjoy.

System Requirements: Microsoft Windows - Apple - Linux

Windows System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 95, Windows 98
Processor: Intel Pentium MMX 200 MHz
Memory: 32 MB RAM
Graphics Card: SVGA graphics, 256 colors
Sound Card: Windows compatible sound card
Hard Drive Space: 150 MB
CD/DVD Drive: 4X CD-ROM
Controls: Keyboard & Mouse
Joystick/Gamepad or Steering Wheel optional
Multiplayer: Modem/Internet or LAN connection required

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