8 Best PS3 Need For Speed Games

1. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, released in 2010, marks a triumphant return to the franchise’s roots, delivering heart-pounding cop chases and exhilarating races set in the picturesque landscapes of Seacrest County. Developed by Criterion Games, this installment introduces the innovative Autolog feature, fostering fierce competition among friends by seamlessly integrating social elements into the gameplay experience. With a diverse lineup of exotic cars, breathtaking vistas, and adrenaline-pumping pursuits, Hot Pursuit emerges as a standout title in the series, earning critical acclaim and adoration from fans worldwide.

What we like:

• Intense Pursuits: Engage in thrilling high-speed chases as either a racer or a cop, with adrenaline-pumping pursuits that keep you on the edge of your seat.
• Autolog Feature: Compete with friends seamlessly through the innovative Autolog feature, which tracks and compares your performance, fostering fierce competition.
• Stunning Visuals: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Seacrest County, rendered in stunning detail and realism.

What we dislike:

• Limited Customization: While the focus is on intense racing action, some players may find the lack of extensive vehicle customization options limiting.
• Repetitive Gameplay: Despite its adrenaline-fueled action, some players may find the gameplay loop of pursuits and races becoming repetitive over time.

2. Need for Speed Rivals (2013)

Image Source: Steam

Need for Speed: Shift, blurs the line between simulation and arcade-style gameplay by putting players in charge of fast cars in intense races around the world. The 2009 release by Slightly Mad Studios puts a lot of emphasis on realism and immersion, with real-life car physics, dynamic AI opponents, and realistic cockpit views. With a deep career mode, adjustable difficulty settings, and strong online multiplayer features, Shift gives players who want a realistic racing experience a lot of ways to play and enjoy it again and again.

What we like:

• Dynamic Open World: Explore the sprawling landscape of Redview County in a seamless open-world environment, where the line between single-player and multiplayer blurs.
• AllDrive Feature: Experience the thrill of competing with friends or rivals in real-time, with the revolutionary AllDrive feature blending single-player and multiplayer experiences.
• Stunning Visuals: Immerse yourself in the visually stunning world of Redview County, filled with breathtaking vistas and dynamic weather effects.

What we dislike:

• Rubber-banding AI: Some players may find the AI opponents exhibiting rubber-banding behavior, leading to occasional frustrations in races.
• Lack of Depth: While the open-world environment offers freedom, some players may find the overall depth of gameplay lacking compared to other titles in the series.

3. Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012)

Released in 2012 by Criterion Games, Need for Speed: Most Wanted redefined open-world racing with its seamless integration of exploration, customization, and competition. It catapults players into the heart of fictional Fairhaven City, a vibrant urban playground teeming with opportunities for adrenaline-fueled races and daring pursuits.  Whether it’s outmaneuvering rivals in high-stakes races or evading relentless law enforcement, players are immersed in a relentless pursuit of dominance on the streets. With its dynamic gameplay, extensive vehicle roster, and breathtaking visuals, Most Wanted emerges as a quintessential title in the Need for Speed franchise, garnering praise for its innovation and exhilarating gameplay.

What we like:

• Open-World Exploration: Explore the vibrant city of Fairhaven City at your own pace, discovering hidden shortcuts, collectibles, and challenges scattered throughout the world.
• Seamless Multiplayer Integration: Engage in intense races and pursuits with friends seamlessly integrated into the open-world environment, with no lobbies or loading screens.
• Extensive Vehicle Roster: Choose from a diverse lineup of iconic cars, each with its own unique characteristics and handling, allowing for personalized racing experiences.

What we dislike:

• Limited Story: While the focus is on open-world exploration and competition, some players may find the lack of a cohesive narrative or story mode disappointing.
• Occasional Glitches: Despite its polished presentation, some players may encounter occasional glitches or bugs that detract from the overall experience.

4. Need for Speed: Undercover (2008)

Need for Speed: The Run takes adrenaline-fueled racing to a whole new level in this 2011 release. Players are thrown into a never-ending battle for glory and survival in the middle of a high-stakes illegal race from San Francisco to New York. NFS: The Run is different from the others in the series because it has beautiful graphics that make you feel like you’re on the open road. Riding through city streets at high speeds and through dangerous mountain passes are both tests of skill and nerve.

Likes:

• Engaging Storyline: Immerse yourself in a gripping narrative-driven experience, as you infiltrate a criminal syndicate and take on high-stakes undercover missions.
• Expansive Open World: Explore the sprawling Tri-City Bay Area, filled with diverse environments and opportunities for high-speed pursuits and races.
• Variety of Mission Objectives: From takedowns to time trials, Undercover offers a wide range of mission objectives that keep gameplay fresh and engaging.

Dislikes:

• Clunky Controls: Some players may find the controls and handling of vehicles to be less responsive compared to other titles in the series, leading to occasional frustrations.
• Dated Graphics: Despite its engaging gameplay, NFS: Undercover suffers from dated graphics and visual presentation compared to more recent entries in the franchise.

5. Need for Speed: ProStreet (2007)

Need for Speed: ProStreet shifts gears from illegal street racing to sanctioned competitions, immersing players in the adrenaline-charged world of professional racing circuits. Released in 2007, this installment, developed by EA Black Box, introduces a more structured approach to gameplay, focusing on organized events across various disciplines, including drag racing, drift competitions, and time trials.

Likes:

• Structured Gameplay: In a more structured gameplay format, you can experience the thrill of organized racing events in different types of racing, such as drag racing, drift competitions, and time trials.
• Realistic Driving Mechanics: With an emphasis on realism, ProStreet offers authentic car physics and handling, challenging players to master precision driving techniques.

Dislikes:

• Limited Customization: Despite its focus on professional racing, some players may find the lack of extensive vehicle customization options disappointing compared to other titles in the series.
• Sparse Open World: Unlike previous entries, ProStreet lacks an open-world environment, limiting the sense of freedom and exploration for players.

6. Need for Speed: Shift (2009)

Need for Speed: Shift delivers a visceral racing experience that blurs the line between simulation and arcade-style gameplay, placing players behind the wheel of high-performance cars in intense competitions around the globe. Developed by Slightly Mad Studios and released in 2009, this installment prioritizes realism and immersion, featuring authentic car physics, dynamic AI opponents, and immersive cockpit views. With its extensive career mode, customizable difficulty settings, and robust online multiplayer functionality, Shift offers unparalleled depth and replay value for players seeking a true-to-life racing experience.

Likes:

• Intense Racing Experience: Immerse yourself in a racing experience that blurs the line between simulation and arcade-style gameplay, with intense competitions around the globe.
• Authentic Car Physics: Experience the thrill of realistic car physics and handling, as you push high-performance vehicles to their limits on iconic race tracks.
• Extensive Career Mode: From rookie to racing champion, Shift offers an extensive career mode that challenges players to rise through the ranks and become the ultimate racing legend.

Dislikes:

• Steep Learning Curve: Some players may find the realistic driving mechanics and difficulty settings of NFS: Shift to be challenging, especially for newcomers to the racing genre.
• Limited Online Multiplayer: While Shift offers robust single-player content, some players may find the online multiplayer options to be limited compared to other titles in the series.

7. Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed (2011)

Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed pushes the boundaries of racing immersion, offering players an unparalleled sense of speed, intensity, and adrenaline-fueled action. This 2011 follow-up to Shift builds on what came before it by adding better graphics, more ways to customize your cars, and a cool helmet camera feature that makes the experience feel more real and immersive. The Slightly Mad Studios game Shift 2: Unleashed pushes players to their limits on the track, where they must learn precise driving skills and compete in thrilling races against tough opponents.

• Enhanced Immersion: Immerse yourself in the adrenaline-fueled world of high-speed racing, with advanced graphics, enhanced car customization, and an innovative helmet camera feature.
• Challenging AI Opponents: Test your skills against formidable AI opponents that adapt to your driving style and provide a relentless challenge on the track.
• Realistic Damage Modeling: Experience the consequences of high-speed collisions and aggressive driving, with realistic damage modeling that affects vehicle performance and handling.

Dislikes:

• Steep Learning Curve: Similar to its predecessor, Shift 2: Unleashed may have a steep learning curve for newcomers to the racing genre, requiring patience and practice to master.
• Limited Track Selection: While Shift 2: Unleashed offers a variety of iconic race tracks, some players may find the overall track selection to be limited compared to other racing titles.

8. Need for Speed: The Run (2011)

Need for Speed: The Run is a movie-like racing game that puts players in a dangerous cross-country race from San Francisco to New York. You’ll have to dodge a relentless police force ready and willing to use deadly force to bring you down as you race through crowded cities, down icy mountain passes, and through narrow canyons at breakneck speeds in Need for Speed: The Run.

Likes:

• Cinematic Racing Experience: Embark on a high-stakes cross-country race from San Francisco to New York, with adrenaline-fueled set pieces, breathtaking locales, and intense gameplay.
• Gripping Narrative: Immerse yourself in a compelling storyline that unfolds as you race against rival drivers, law enforcement, and the elements, in a desperate bid for survival.

Dislikes:

• Linear Gameplay: Despite its cinematic presentation, some players may find the gameplay of The Run to be linear and scripted, with limited opportunities for exploration or deviation from the main storyline.
• Short Campaign: While the cross-country race offers a thrilling experience, some players may find the campaign to be relatively short compared to other titles in the series.

Final Thoughts – NFS: Hot Pursuit is still our favorite

As enthusiasts of high-octane racing , selecting the best Need for Speed PS3 game can be a daunting task amidst a sea of adrenaline-pumping titles. Whether you’re drawn to the heart-pounding pursuits of Hot Pursuit , the open-world thrills of Most Wanted , or the immersive realism of Shift , each installment offers a unique and exhilarating experience that caters to different tastes and preferences. All of them are great, but we still play Hot Pursuit to this day!