If you are a fan of high-octane police chases, deep car customization, and street racing, you might be wondering where the long-running Need for Speed (NFS) franchise stands today. Whether you’re a returning veteran or a newcomer, here is the breakdown of the latest entry in the series and what’s happening with the franchise right now.
The Current Title: Need for Speed Unbound
As of late 2024, the latest main installment in the franchise is Need for Speed Unbound.
Released in December 2022, Unbound marked a significant shift for the series, moving away from the photo-realistic style of its predecessor (NFS Heat) and embracing a bold, stylized aesthetic.
Key Features of NFS Unbound:
- Visual Style: The game combines realistic car models and environments with “graffiti-style” anime effects. When you drift, jump, or use nitro, hand-drawn visual effects appear around your car.
- The Setting: The game takes place in Lakeshore City, a fictionalized version of Chicago.
- The Narrative: Players start from the bottom, building up a car collection to win “The Grand,” the city’s ultimate street racing challenge.
- Police Presence: The “Heat” system returns, making police chases a central part of the gameplay. You must manage your heat level to avoid losing your hard-earned cash at the end of a night.
Platforms
Need for Speed Unbound was the first game in the series designed exclusively for “next-gen” hardware. It is available on:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (via Steam, EA App, and Epic Games Store)
Note: This game is not available on PS4 or Xbox One.
Is there a “Year 2” for Unbound?
While the game came out in 2022, EA and Criterion Games surprised fans by announcing a “Year 2” Roadmap for 2024. Instead of releasing a brand-new game, the developers are focusing on “Volumes” (seasonal updates) to keep the community active.
- Volume 6 & 7: Introduced dedicated PVP modes and inspired themes from previous games like NFS Underground.
- Volume 8: Recently introduced a “Cops vs. Racers” mode (inspired by NFS Hot Pursuit), allowing players to play as the police for the first time in years.
- Volume 9: Expected later in 2024 to continue the live-service support.
What about the “Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered”?
If you are looking for something “recent” but prefer the classic style, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered (released in late 2020) is still very popular. It brings the 2010 classic to modern consoles with 4K resolution, all DLC included, and cross-platform multiplayer.
When is the Next Need for Speed Game Coming Out?
Electronic Arts (EA) hasn’t officially announced a “Need for Speed 2025” yet. However, there are several rumors circulating in the gaming community:
- The Most Wanted Remake: There have been long-standing leaks and rumors suggesting that a remake of the legendary 2005 Need for Speed: Most Wanted is in development.
- Criterion’s Next Project: Since Criterion Games is now the lead developer for the franchise, they are likely working on the next major title while simultaneously supporting Unbound.
Final Verdict: Should you play it?
If you want the latest experience, Need for Speed Unbound is your best bet. Because of the ongoing “Volumes” updates, the multiplayer community is active, and the game is frequently on sale for up to 80-90% off on digital storefronts.
If you have a PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X, Unbound is the most modern, stylish, and feature-rich street racer currently available in the EA catalog.