The Need For Speed series is sneakily one of the most influential ever made. It pioneered the racing game sweet spot of a car handling model that’s between simulation and arcade, it was one of the first to introduce the now ubiquitous boost and nitrous mechanics, and it always found a way to evolve with the times, from the cinematic sprints of the ‘90s to the Fast and the Furious-inspired Underground series of the mid-2000s.
But as the series stagnated toward the end of the ‘00s, the beloved franchise needed another big shake-up, and an unexpected move from publisher Electronic Arts turned out to be the perfect play. Criterion Games, the developers behind the heart-pounding Burnout series, were handed the Need For Speed license. While the two couldn’t be more different, Criterion proved it was the perfect fit for the series’ latest pivot with the release of 2010’s Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. Now, the game’s 2020 remaster is free on PlayStation Plus, an absurdly great addition to the service’s monthly offerings.
