This article is about the first Need for Speed video game. For the rest of the series, see Need for Speed. For the 2015 video game, see Need for Speed (2015 video game). For other uses, see Need for Speed (disambiguation).
The Need for Speed
The NFS Video cover.jpg
Developer(s) Pioneer Productions
EA Canada
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Producer(s) Hanno Lemke
Programmer(s) Brad Gour
Artist(s) Markus Tessmann
Series Need for Speed
Platform(s) 3DO, DOS, PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Release date(s) 3DO
NA August 31, 1994
JP December 9, 1994
DOS
NA August 31, 1995
PlayStation
EU March 20, 1996
JP April 19, 1996
NA 1996
Sega Saturn
NA 1996
EU 1996
JP December 20, 1996
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Road & Track Presents: The Need for Speed, later released in Japan as Road & Track Presents: Over Drivin', is a 1994 racing video game first released on the 3DO and then ported over to DOS, PlayStation and Sega Saturn. It is the first installment released in the Need for Speed series. The premise of the game involves racing in sport cars, including several exotic models and Japanese imports.
The game was noted for its realism and audio and video commentaries. Electronic Arts teamed up with automotive magazine Road & Track to match vehicle behavior, including the mimicking of the sounds made by the vehicles' gear control levers. The game also contained precise vehicle data with spoken commentary, several "magazine style" images of each car interior and exterior and even short video clips highlighting the vehicles set to music.
The game featured both closed circuits and three point-to-point tracks, each divided into three stages. For the latter, traffic vehicles appear in races. Police pursuits are also a key gameplay mechanic, in which the player could be ticketed or arrested after a police car succeeded in catching up with the player. Players are arrested if he/she received a third police ticket, while the Sega Saturn version only required two tickets for the player to be arrested. Completing the tournaments (or entering a cheat) unlocks the "rally" mode, where car dynamics are changed to make for a faster 'arcade' experience, as well as the "Warrior PTO E/2", a fictional jet-powered sports car.
Except for the aforementioned Warrior, each car in the game came with detailed specifications, history, audio commentaries and real-life videos, which would also be featured in subsequent games in the series, though this was omitted in later games. A replay feature allowed the player to view a saved race. Multiple camera views, playback speed and video navigation were offered.
Multiplayer consisted of a two-player head-to-head racing mode, which required computers connected via modem.[notes 1]
Tracks[edit]
There are a total of six courses in the game: City, Coastal, Alpine, Rusty Springs, Autumn Valley and Vertigo. Each is a distinctive environment. City, Coastal and Alpine have three sections each, while the others are circuit races.
There is an extra track in the game, named Lost Vegas, which can be unlocked by winning all of the tracks above in tournament mode. A flag in the bottom right corner of the track's image indicates a victory in the menu to help the player keep track of the progress.
Cars[edit]
Eight cars are available to choose from in the game, and a secret ninth car known as the Warrior, which is in purple and is a special car rather than being a licensed model. It can be accessed via a special game code if entered correctly. The eight cars featured (besides the Warrior) include:[1]
1994 Toyota Supra 2JZ - Colored red
1992 Acura NSX - Colored silver
1991 Mazda RX-7 - Colored yellow
1993 Porsche Carrera 911 - Colored dark blue
1994 Dodge Viper RT-10 - Colored royal blue
1993 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR-1 - Colored dark green
1993 Lamborghini Diablo VT - Colored black
1994 Ferrari 512TR - Colored red
Music[edit]
Menu & Showroom Themes
Alistair Hirst - "Showroom Music"
Alistair Hirst - "Ferrari 512TR Showcase"
Alistair Hirst - "Porsche 911 Carrera Showcase"
Alistair Hirst - "Lamborghini Diablo VT Showcase"
Alistair Hirst - "Acura NSX Showcase"
Alistair Hirst - "Mazda RX-7 Showcase"
Alistair Hirst - "Toyota Supra Turbo Showcase"
Alistair Hirst - "Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 Showcase"
Alistair Hirst - "Dodge Viper RT/10 Showcase"
Racing Themes
(Rock)
Saki Kaskas - "Rampant"
Saki Kaskas - "Toxic Exhaust"
Saki Kaskas - "Scud"
Saki Kaskas - "Overheated"
Saki Kaskas - "Route 99"
Alistair Hirst - "Power Slide" (Main Menu)
(Techno)
Jeff Dyck - "Fill'er Up"
Jeff Dyck - "Odyssey"
Jeff Dyck & Angela Somerville - "Aaeeyyaaeeyyaa"
Jeff Dyck - "Hideous"
Jeff Dyck - "Funk'n Bubba"
Jeff Dyck - "Chronos"
Reception[edit]
Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings (SAT) 95.00%[4]
(PC) 83.00%[5]
(PS) 68.50%[6]
Review scores
Publication Score
EGM (3DO) 8.0/10[2]
(PS1) 8.75/10[3]
GameSpot (PC) 8.3/10[7]
Maximum 2/5 stars (PS1)[8]
PC Power 95%[9]
The Need For Speed was met with positive reviews. The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly scored the 3DO version an 8.0 average, with two of them giving the game a 9.0 or higher. They praised the game's realistic graphics and sounds, addictive gameplay, and exceptionally clever use of full motion video.[2] GamePro gave it a rave review as well, commenting that the selection of cars "will leave car buffs drooling" and the realistic graphics and handling of each vehicle "infuse the game with taut realism and fascinating variety." They expressed disappointment over the lack of two-player mode, but felt that the exceptionally challenging enemy AI largely makes up for it.[10]
Aggregating review website GameRankings gave the Saturn version 95.00%,[4] the PC version 83.00%[5] and the PlayStation version 68.50%.[6] British magazine PC Power gave the DOS version a score of 95%, praising car handling, graphics and overall presentation, but criticizing hardware requirements and sound.[9] Jim Varner of GameSpot gave the game a "Great" rating of 8.3/10 citing "With its marvelous attention to detail, exotic course design, and straightforward gameplay, this game is a true winner. Simply put, The Need for Speed is the next best thing to owning a $200,000 sports car!".[7] The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly applauded the PlayStation version for its fast racing and excellent controls.[3] Air Hendrix argued in GamePro that "With all these improvements, [the PlayStation version] is practically a sequel to the 3DO game, and it plays like one." He made particular mention of the additional courses, the handbrake, the improved displays, and the faster speed of the game.[11] Other magazines were more critical, with PSM criticising the "obtrusive graphics", and saying that it "isn't an immediately enjoyable game - the idiosyncracies only serve to annoy."[12] Maximum complained that the driving lacks intensity and that cars are too resistant to crashes, though they acknowledged that the graphics are moderately impressive
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