Editing Need for Speed (section)

{{short description|Racing video game franchise}}
{{About|the video game series|the original game from 1994|The Need for Speed{{!}}''The Need for Speed''|the 2014 film based on the series|Need for Speed (film){{!}}''Need for Speed'' (film)|the 2015 game and reboot of the series|Need for Speed (2015 video game){{!}}''Need for Speed'' (2015 video game)|other uses|Need for Speed (disambiguation)}}{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Need for Speed
| image = [[File:Need for Speed logo (2022-present).svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| caption = Logo since 2022
| genre     = [[Racing game|Racing]]
| developer = '''Current:'''{{plainlist|
* [[Criterion Games]]<br />(2010–13; 2020–present)
* [[Firemonkeys Studios]]<br />(2012–present)
}}
{{collapsible list|title=Previous:|
[[EA Black Box]]<br />(2002–11)|
[[EA Bright Light]]<br />(2009)|
[[EA Canada]]<br />(1994–2000)|
[[Manley & Associates|EA Seattle]]<br />(1997-1999)|
[[Eden Games|Eden Studios]]<br />(1998–2000)|
[[Exient Entertainment]]<br />(2006–10)|
[[Firebrand Games]]<br />(2008–11)|
[[EA Gothenburg|Ghost Games]]<br />(2013–19)|
[[Piranha Games]]<br />(2008)|
[[Slightly Mad Studios]]<br />(2009–11)|}}
| publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|
* [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]]
* [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
* [[Arcade video game|Arcade]]
* [[Game Boy Advance]]
* [[iOS]]
* [[Kindle Fire]]
* [[Mac OS X]]
* [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
* [[Mobile game]]
* [[MS-DOS]]
* [[Nintendo 3DS]]
* [[Nintendo DS]]
* [[GameCube]]
* [[Nintendo Switch]]
* [[OS X]]
* [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]
* [[PlayStation 2]]
* [[PlayStation 3]]
* [[PlayStation 4]]
* [[PlayStation 5]]
* [[PlayStation Portable]]
* [[PlayStation Vita]]
* [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]]
* [[Wii]]
* [[Wii U]]
* [[Windows Mobile]]
* [[Windows Phone]]
* [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
* [[Xbox 360]]
* [[Xbox One]]
* [[Xbox Series X/S]]
* [[Zeebo]]}}
| first release version = ''[[The Need for Speed]]''
| first release date = December 1994
| latest release version = ''[[Need for Speed Unbound]]''
| latest release date = December 2, 2022
}}

'''''Need for Speed''''' ('''''NFS''''') is a [[racing game]] franchise published by [[Electronic Arts]] and currently [[video game developer|developed]] by [[Criterion Games]] (the developers of the [[Burnout (series)|''Burnout'']] series).<ref name="Yin">{{cite web |last=Yin |first=Wesley |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-06-25-criterion-takes-full-control-of-need-for-speed-and-burnout-franchises |title=Criterion takes full control of Need for Speed and Burnout franchises |publisher=Eurogamer.net |date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=June 26, 2012 |archive-date=February 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221121115/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-06-25-criterion-takes-full-control-of-need-for-speed-and-burnout-franchises |url-status=live }}</ref> Most entries in the series are generally [[Arcade racer|arcade racing]] games centered around illegal [[street racing]], and tasks players to complete various types of races, while evading the local law enforcement in police pursuits. Some entries also do not follow the basic setup of most titles and are instead simulation racers, focus on legal circuit races, feature [[kart racing game]] elements, or feature illegal street racing but not feature police pursuits. ''Need for Speed'' is one of EA's oldest franchises not published under their [[EA Sports]] brand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=jooste |first=shaun |title=softonic |url=https://need-for-speed.en.softonic.com/ |access-date=24 May 2023 |website=softonic}}</ref> 

The series' first title, ''[[The Need for Speed]]'', was released in 1994. The latest installment, ''[[Need for Speed Unbound]]'', was released on December 2, 2022. Additionally, a [[free-to-play]] [[mobile game|mobile]] installment released in 2015, ''[[Need for Speed: No Limits]]'', is actively developed by [[Firemonkeys Studios]] (the developers of ''[[Real Racing 3]]'').

The series titles have been overseen and developed by multiple notable teams over the years, including [[EA Canada]], [[EA Black Box]], [[Slightly Mad Studios]], and [[Ghost Games]]. Several ''Need for Speed'' games have been well-received critically, and the franchise has been one of the [[List of best-selling video game franchises|most successful]] of all time, selling over 150 million copies as of October 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://investor.ea.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=799755|publisher=[[Electronic Arts]]|access-date=February 28, 2014|date=October 24, 2013|title=EA Signs Multi-Year Agreement With X-Games Medalist and Internet Phenom Ken Block for Need for Speed|archive-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630094427/http://investor.ea.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=799755|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Media franchise|franchise]] has expanded into other forms of media, including a [[Need for Speed (film)|film adaptation]] and licensed [[Hot Wheels]] toys.<ref name=Alan>{{cite web |last=Alan |url=https://ar12gaming.com/articles/hot-wheels-are-bringing-a-selection-of-need-for-speed-cars-to-stores-worldwide |title=Hot Wheels are bringing a selection of Need for Speed cars to stores worldwide |publisher=Eurogamer.net |date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=June 26, 2012 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407051823/https://ar12gaming.com/articles/hot-wheels-are-bringing-a-selection-of-need-for-speed-cars-to-stores-worldwide |url-status=live }}</ref>