The Most Popular NFS Game, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the game you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 6, 2024 06:45
For fans of high-speed racing and slick cars, choosing the top Need for Speed game can spark lively debate. Each title brings its own thrills, challenges, and environments, making it tricky to crown one as the best. By establishing a ranked list based on community votes, the collective preferences of gamers help provide clarity and recognition to standout entries in the series.
This dynamic ranking system keeps track of all votes in real time, ensuring that everyone's opinion is counted. Whether you are a die-hard fan of the franchise or new to the scene, your vote helps shape the leaderboard. Join in the fun and cast your vote to see which game rides to the top!
What Is the Most Popular NFS Game?
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195votes
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)
EA CanadaThis game is widely considered the best NFS game ever made, with its open-world gameplay, thrilling police chases, and customization options.Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005) is a racing video game that was developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts. It is the ninth installment in the Need for Speed series. The game features an open-world environment where players can freely explore the city of Rockport and compete in high-speed races while evading the police. The ultimate goal is to become the most wanted street racer by defeating the top ten blacklist racers in the city.- Release Date: November 15, 2005
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Xbox 360
- Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Open-World Map: Rockport City
- Police Pursuits: High-speed chases with an emphasis on evading and outsmarting the police
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236votes
Need for Speed: Underground 2 (2004)
EA Black BoxThis game was a massive hit with fans of the series, offering a diverse range of customization options and a great soundtrack.Need for Speed: Underground 2 (2004) is a popular racing video game that was developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts. It is the eighth installment in the Need for Speed series and focuses on street racing in an open-world city environment. The game offers various gameplay modes, including career mode, where players can customize and upgrade their cars, participate in races and events, and explore the city. It also features an extensive car customization system, allowing players to modify their vehicles' appearance and performance. The game received positive reviews for its graphics, gameplay mechanics, and soundtrack which includes songs from various popular artists.- Release Year: 2004
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance
- Genre: Racing
- Players: 1-2 (offline)
- Game Modes: Single player, multiplayer
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328votes
Need for Speed: Carbon (2006)
EA Black BoxThis game was a direct sequel to Most Wanted and built on the success of its predecessor, offering a similar open-world experience with improved graphics and gameplay.Need for Speed: Carbon (2006) is a racing video game developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts. It is the tenth installment in the Need for Speed series. The game takes place in the fictional city of Palmont, where players engage in street racing while trying to take control of the territory from rival crews.- Release Date: October 31, 2006
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Microsoft Windows
- Game modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Vehicle Classes: Tuner, Muscle, Exotic
- Customization: Extensive car customization options
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415votes
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)
Criterion GamesThis game was a reboot of the classic Hot Pursuit series and was praised for its excellent graphics and intense police chases.Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010) is a racing video game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. It is the 16th installment in the Need for Speed series and a reboot of the original Hot Pursuit game from 1998. The game takes place in the fictional Seacrest County, where players can choose to either play as illegal street racers or the police. It features a wide range of exotic cars and high-speed chases, aiming to create an intense and adrenaline-fueled experience.- Release Date: November 16, 2010
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
- Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Available Languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, Polish
- Graphics: Havok physics engine, Burnout-inspired visual effects
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522votes
Need for Speed: Underground (2003)
EA Black BoxThis game was a major departure from the series' previous entries, focusing on street racing and customization. It was a huge hit and paved the way for future NFS games.Need for Speed: Underground (2003) is a popular racing video game that was developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts. It marked a significant departure from the previous games in the Need for Speed series by focusing on street racing and car customization.- Release Date: November 17, 2003
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Windows, Game Boy Advance
- Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Genre: Racing
- Customization Options: Extensive car customization including visual modifications and performance upgrades
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67votes
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012)
Criterion GamesThis game was a reboot of the original Most Wanted and received critical acclaim for its open-world gameplay and impressive graphics.Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) is a racing video game released in 2012. It is the nineteenth installment in the Need for Speed series. In this game, players participate in illegal street racing activities while trying to become the most wanted racer. The game features an open-world environment called Fairhaven City where players can freely explore and find races and challenges.- Release Year: 2012
- Genre: Racing
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation Vita, Wii U
- Single-Player: Yes
- Multiplayer: Yes
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75votes
Need for Speed: ProStreet (2007)
EA Black BoxThis game was a departure from the series' usual formula, focusing on legal racing events and realistic physics. It was a mixed bag critically but has a dedicated fanbase.Need for Speed: ProStreet (2007) is a racing video game in the Need for Speed series. It differs from previous titles, focusing on legal street racing and organized track racing. Players compete in various race events, earning money to customize and upgrade their cars for improved performance.- Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Wii, Nintendo DS
- Release Date: November 13, 2007
- Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Car Customization: Extensive visual and performance customization options
- Race Types: Drag racing, grip racing, speed challenges, drift events
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810votes
Need for Speed: Rivals (2013)
Ghost GamesThis game was another entry in the Hot Pursuit series and offered an open-world experience with intense police chases and great graphics.Need for Speed: Rivals is a popular racing video game released in 2013. It is the twentieth installment in the Need for Speed series and offers an open-world environment where players can compete as racers or law enforcement officers.- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
- Release Date: November 15, 2013
- Developer: Ghost Games
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Game Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
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94votes
Need for Speed: Shift (2009)
Slightly Mad StudiosThis game was another departure from the series' usual formula, offering a more realistic racing experience with a focus on simulation. It was praised for its graphics and physics but was not as popular as some other entries.Need for Speed: Shift is a racing video game released in 2009. It combines elements of simulation and arcade racing, providing a more realistic driving experience. Players can compete in various racing events and progress through a career mode, earning reputation points and unlocking new cars and tracks.- Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, iOS
- Number of Players: Single-player, Multiplayer
- Game Modes: Career mode, Quick Race, Online Multiplayer
- Vehicles: Over 70 licensed cars
- Tracks: 20 different real-world and fictional locations
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106votes
Need for Speed: The Run (2011)
Electronic ArtsThis game was a unique entry in the series, offering a story-driven experience with a focus on high-speed races across the United States. It received mixed reviews but has a dedicated fanbase.Need for Speed: The Run is a racing video game released in 2011. It features a story-driven gameplay where players participate in an illegal cross-country race from San Francisco to New York. The game offers a variety of race modes, including traditional races, time attacks, and police pursuits. Players can drive a wide range of highly-detailed and licensed vehicles, competing against AI-controlled opponents as they progress through the story.- Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Wii, Nintendo 3DS
- Developer: EA Black Box, Firebrand Games (Wii/3DS)
- Release Date: November 15, 2011
- Single-player: Yes
- Multiplayer: Yes
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Ranking factors for popular game
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Sales figuresThe number of copies sold is a strong indicator of the popularity of a specific NFS game. The more copies sold, the more popular the game is likely to be.
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Reception and reviewsAnalyze professional reviews and user feedback from gaming websites, magazines, and video game forums to gauge public opinion on the game. High ratings and positive reviews usually indicate a well-received game.
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Graphics qualityThe visual appeal of the game – including car models, environment details, and overall graphical fidelity – plays a crucial role in the popularity of racing games.
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Gameplay elementsConsider the game's mechanics, controls, difficulty, and overall enjoyment factor. For example, the game should have a smooth and responsive driving experience, an engaging selection of cars, and well-designed race tracks.
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Car customization and tuning optionsPart of the fun in NFS games is customizing cars and tuning them for better performance. Check if a specific game offers in-depth and fun customization options that resonate with players.
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SoundtrackNFS games are famous for their adrenaline-pumping soundtracks that complement the high-speed racing action. The popularity of the game can be influenced by the quality of the music selection.
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Online community and multiplayer featuresA robust and active online community adds to the game's longevity and popularity. Look at the number of online players, the availability of downloadable content, and any competitive features such as leaderboards and tournaments.
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Awards and accoladesCheck if the game has received any awards or recognitions for its contributions to the racing game genre, which can indicate its popularity and impact.
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Replay valueA popular game often has a high replay value, meaning that players continue to return to it long after finishing the main campaign or objectives.
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Legacy and cultural impactFinally, consider the long-term influence of the game on the NFS franchise and racing games in general. A popular NFS game will often leave a lasting impression on the genre, inspiring future titles and setting industry standards.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular NFS game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2044 views
- 204 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular nfs game
Need for Speed (NFS) is a highly successful racing video game franchise that has been around since 1994. Developed by various game studios over the years, NFS has been entertaining gamers with its fast-paced gameplay and thrilling car chases. With over 20 games in the series, each with its unique features and gameplay, it's no surprise that the franchise has a massive following of fans all over the world. In this article, we will explore the most popular NFS games of all time and find out which game is the most beloved by fans.
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