Need For Speed Porsche was the best NFS.

[Dust]

It was so clean.
It was so simple.
It was classy.
It had varied and great locations.
It celebrated the brand without ridiculous tuning. In a way it felt a bit like Gran Turismo.

Not to mention perfect driving music.


Why did we have to move to annoying 2kool4skool underground street racing, fast driving can be an art and presented as such.
Why was this one time thing?

 

[Deleted member 14400]

Focusing on one car brand wasn't the best idea

 

[Dest]

that's a weird way of spelling high stakes

 

[scottbeowulf]

Wasn't this kinda EA flexing their Porsche exclusive deal?

 

[Jaded Alyx]

It's up there, but it's no NFS III: Hot Pursuit PC

Also I see this as an excuse to post this track from High Stakes, which was also later used in Mass Effect 2

 

[Cocolina]

You can drive a Porsche in Need For Speed: The Run, so clearly that one's better.

 

[IvanSlavkov]

Love the game till this day! Collectimg every model and variation was a blast and especially driving them on Cote de Azure.

 

[Liquidsnake]

I really enjoyed: Shift, even though it was horrible. the in cockpit view was visceral.

 

[Deleted member 7948]

I'd say it's High Stakes, but Porsche Unleashed is the runner-up.

 

[Linus815]

if we are talking strictly about the PC version, im inclined to agree. The PS1 version was totally different (like most other NFS games, but in other cases the different versions were equally good) and imo much worse.

The PC version though.... some of the best tracks ever put in a racing game, amazing scenery, fantastic blend of sim and arcade, 2 amazing career modes, the music, dashboard view, great damage model.... just all around a fantastic game.

Racing on the alps map is particularly fond memory of mine, the first time I drove on it - the way the track goes from dry & sunny to snowy & dark with everything covered in thick snow and ice really blew my mind at the time. And yeah, in 2000 it was one of the best looking games available.

The only downside of the game is that its limited to Porsches only. That being said, the game pays such a fantastic homage to them through the 2 career modes that I ended up really appreciating it.

 

[Roaringburn]

Underground 2 is clearly the best game

 

[HaremKing]

I was always fond of Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit (the late 90s game) but I was never really a big Need for Speed guy.

Give me San Francisco Rush over Need for Speed any day.

 

[CRiSC0]

Underground 2 is clearly the best game

Click to shrink...

.

 

[--R]

Nah, Underground 2 is. Or Carbon.

 

[NovumVeritas]

EA was not the first with Porsche, reminding me of Porsche Challenge. The old NFS were awesome with cool music tracks.

 

[Chiramii]

NFS: Porsche had a great foundation. If it had included more manufacturers it would be the best, no doubt.

I still have a soft spot for NFS II: SE, because that was my first experience with the franchise, concept cars galore. Another one I have fond memories of is Hot Pursuit II.

 

[Kounce]

Yeah I loved the PC version as a kid, put so many hours into that game. Not sure if it's the best of the bunch but it was unique, and enjoyable.

 

[Hey Please]

Fact is, the most memorable NFS games were from over a decade ago. Furthermore, the last gen's NFS weren't too shabby either.

It's up there, but it's no NFS III: Hot Pursuit PC

Also I see this as an excuse to post this track from High Stakes, which was also later used in Mass Effect 2

Click to shrink...

Yoooooooooo00, that is from Mass Effect 2's Omega! (or so I thought and then I looked up that it was independently produced in 1998).

 

[Jaded Alyx]

It's a shame these old games aren't on Origin, though I suppose I understand why.

 

[NovumVeritas]

Fact is, the most memorable NFS games were from over a decade ago. Furthermore, the last gen's NFS weren't too shabby either.



Yoooooooooo00, that is from Mass Effect 2's Omega! (or so I thought and then I looked up that it was independently produced in 1998).

Click to shrink...

Romi di Prosco and Saki Kaskas where awesome composers. RIP Saki :(

 

[Nemesis121]

Shame they never recaptured the awesomeness of Underground 1 or 2..

 

[francium87]

Most Wanted 05 for me

 

[Merv]

I played it on PC back in the day. It looked way better than any console racers at the time and was alot of fun.

 

[Streets of Rage]

I loved NFS Porsche (on PC). Maybe not THE best, but certainly one of the best.
The tracks were fantastic, the evolution mode was great. Also nice music and tuning options. But a little bit difficult, at least the last third of the evolution mode.

 

[RavFiveFour]

Game was sweet.

 

[Fallout-NL]

that's a weird way of spelling high stakes

Click to shrink...

Hehe, yep. It's not that I disagree with the OP entirely, but High Stakes was even better.

Still Porsche Unleashed was great and the series went down the shitter after.

 

[Alexiell]

OG Most Wanted and Carbon > .

I want a HD remake of Most Wanted :(

 

[Dest]

It's up there, but it's no NFS III: Hot Pursuit PC

Also I see this as an excuse to post this track from High Stakes, which was also later used in Mass Effect 2

Click to shrink...

I'm glad I'm not alone

 

[Delphine]

I enjoyed this game so damn much back in the days. It was GOOD & FUN indeed.
Gave me the means to drive a Porsche virtually cause that'll never happen IRL sobs.

 

[King Alamat]

Man, I hated this game as a youngin' and would always go back to the original Hot Pursuit. Guess what, a game filled with nothing but Porsches isn't exactly exciting.

 

[HighspeedRefleX]

Focusing on one car brand wasn't the best idea

Click to shrink...

There were other ones focusing on one brand. Viper racing I believe and Porsche Challenge are the ones I remember. No bad memories of those although I don't remember much.

Best NFS is hard to say. I've played less than 50% of that series. The older ones that stood out are II: SE, III:HP, High stakes, HP 2, Underground 1+2, Most Wanted (05)

 

[Deleted member 39374]

Underground 1 and 2 are the best. Most wanted is a distant third

I have fond memories though of NFS: Porsche Unleashed, a demo disc they'd give out at Shell gas stations lol

 

[plagiarize]

There were other ones focusing on one brand. Viper racing I believe and Porsche Challenge are the ones I remember. No bad memories of those although I don't remember much.

Best NFS is hard to say. I've played less than 50% of that series. The older ones that stood out are II: SE, III:HP, High stakes, HP 2, Underground 1+2, Most Wanted (05)

Click to shrink...

Viper racing had a fun cheat called 'horn ball' that shot a big heavy ball out the front of your car that would wreck other cars. The destruction physics in that game were pretty damn advanced for the time too.

 

[RockyBalboa_]

I liked the original as it felt more "photo realistic" to me and I also liked the FMV of the police if they caught you.

I was pumped for NFS 2.............. until I actually played it and was disappointed as it looked a lot more "cartoony" compared to the original.

NFS III would be my favourite of the series, best music, tracks, cars and loved the Hot Pursuit mode. Also was one of my first "full priced" games that I got as a new release but almost $30 off the RRP.

High Stakes was also pretty good

And Underground 2 was cool as well.

They haven't really hit a high note since then.

 

[MrCunningham]

I'm with you OP, to a point. I do have a lot of strong nostalgia for Porsghe Unleashed on the PC. The PS1 port wasn't bad either, to be honest. But for me, it definitely is in running with NFS4: High Stakes as some of the best of the series (that I have played). Though to be honest, I did love the original on the 3DO, as well as the Saturn port.

 

[Polaris]

Kind of a bummer lots of the old NFS aren't available for download. I really want to play Underground and Underground 2 on PC, but outside of acquiring a physical copy, there really is not legal way to play it.

 

[banter]

Need for Speed 2... you could literally drive a T-Rex against a McLaren F1.

 

[TheGreatException]

The only NFS games I've ever liked were NFS Shift 1 and 2.

 

[Qudi]

NFS Hot Pursuit is still the best arcade racer imo. Its a shame EA doesnt do remasters. But i feel like we need a poll to settle this.

 

[Skyebaron]

Thats not Hot Pursuit. The Burnout guys made that one. Shift is also great.

 

[Vex]

that's a weird way of spelling high stakes

Click to shrink...

THANK YOU!!!! Highstakes with the pink slip races oh my GOD. Dudes used to actually lose their cars in races! (or use the memory card exploit <.<)

 

[Doom_Bringer]

that's a weird way of spelling high stakes

Click to shrink...

yup HS was AWESOME. Dolphin Cove <3

 

[MadeULook]

Nah man that is either Underground 2 or the original Most Wanted. Although I wouldn't mind a new Shift either.

The Criterion Hot Pursuit was also pretty good too.

 

[Rei dos Vermes]

Most Wanted is my favorite, but Porsche Unleashed is a closed second. I still play that game from time to time. Last year I managed to replay it in 21:9, as you can see below:

 

[KayonXaikyre]

Need for Speed Most Wanted 2005 was the best one. I loved the cop system and the unique chatter while running away was really fun. The open world structure was good too. The variety of races and having my favorite car in it as well the Lamborghini Gallardo It felt very very fast and just running away from cops was super satisfying.

 

[Bluelote]

Porsche 2000 (PC) is my favorite NFS no doubt, playing Evolution just feels so right, the whole presentation was just great for the time, graphics, UI, sound...
I like most of the tracks a lot, the handling is nice once you get used to (911s at first are tricky),

I was actually playing the game a few days ago with super sampling and AF it looks so clean
(but it's a bit tricky to get it working right on current PC/OS)

the only thing is that I don't really feel like it's a "proper" NFS, but it's the best NFS for me,
in terms of "proper" NFS HP2 (PS2) is probably the best.

but I prefer Porsche.

 

[Mechaplum]

Yeah it is also my best NFS experience. Love cruising along in the Boxter and then switching up to the 911 to tear up tracks moments later. None of that drama, neon and announcer voices.

 

[martincrimson87]

The perfect complementary game to GT2 on the PS1. Killer OST by the way. But I hated how expensive was to repair the 959!

 

[World B. SkiFree]

There were other ones focusing on one brand. Viper racing I believe and Porsche Challenge are the ones I remember. No bad memories of those although I don't remember much.

Best NFS is hard to say. I've played less than 50% of that series. The older ones that stood out are II: SE, III:HP, High stakes, HP 2, Underground 1+2, Most Wanted (05)

Click to shrink...

Viper Racing! Takes me back, great fun.

Most Wanted is my favorite, but Porsche Unleashed is a closed second. I still play that game from time to time. Last year I managed to replay it in 21:9, as you can see below:

Click to shrink...

Porsche 2000 (PC) is my favorite NFS no doubt, playing Evolution just feels so right, the whole presentation was just great for the time, graphics, UI, sound...
I like most of the tracks a lot, the handling is nice once you get used to (911s at first are tricky),

I was actually playing the game a few days ago with super sampling and AF it looks so clean
(but it's a bit tricky to get it working right on current PC/OS)

the only thing is that I don't really feel like it's a "proper" NFS, but it's the best NFS for me,
in terms of "proper" NFS HP2 (PS2) is probably the best.

but I prefer Porsche.

Click to shrink...

I may still have the PC discs for Viper Racing and Porsche Unleashed. Porsche work okay on modern PC Windows OS? How about Viper?

Edit: Sorry, just saw "tricky to run" comment. That probably means I should not try haha.

 

[Deleted member 17658]

Underground 2 is clearly the best game

Click to shrink...

this is the only correct answer