Need for Speed 3: Hot Pursuit (1998)

The first installment under the Hot Pursuit name as a predecessor to Need for Speed 2, followed by Need for Speed: High Stakes. This was the first Need for Speed to include police, with the ability to be on their side. The setting is varied and based on separate North American locations, and a bonus track acquired by winning a knockout event. There are several more bonus tracks unlocked by cheat codes on the Playstation version as well. Cars ranged from all classes, along with a bonus fictional one unlocked through completing a tournament. It also featured split-screen multiplayer, and a gallery of information about each car and brand. The PC version has a modding database for more tracks and cars, although it is wise to backup the original game files. Last but not least it is no longer available new in stores and must be purchased online or from local thrift/classic gaming locations.

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Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 (2002)

Hot Pursuit 2, the sequel to Need for Speed 3: Hot Pursuit, was released on the Playstation 2, Gamecube, original Xbox and PC platforms. This featured more cars, more diverse locations in various parts of the world, and finally included online multiplayer, though finding servers now may be difficult. Similar to the prequel, the main focus is on racing versus competing racers while trying not to get busted, or catching speeders. Police had the ability to use spike strips, blocks and helicopters. Hot Pursuit 2 featured far more events, with two separate championship grids you advance through. This game is the last of Need for Speed's classic era prior to Underground.

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Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)

The latest installment to the Hot Pursuit series, now developed by Criterion, available on the PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Marking the end of Need for Speed's urban street racing era (with the exception of Shift and Nitro), it is meant to revive the classic ways of the earlier Hot Pursuits through enhancing arcade mechanics and including only the finest cars. Unlike the first two, however, it includes free roam and Autolog. Autolog is an online feature that shares comments and photos and organizes multiplayer racing events. The Hot Pursuit system includes more action through the use of weapons -- Electromagnetic Pulse, spike strips, road blocks/jammer, and heli/turbo. These systems are upgraded as you progress through the game. The ability to switch between Hot Pursuit and racing while stuck in the game is still available, so if you favor one mode you may progress all the way through it without ever playing the other. Single player and multiplayer bounty are linked so you may choose to play only online or offline and progress through the game as well. Unfortunately the game does not include manual transmission, PC DLC, plus autolog may be glitchy at times. This is the only Hot Pursuit title to win an E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) award.

Need for Speed 3: Hot Pursuit[en.wikipedia.org]
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2[en.wikipedia.org]
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit (2010) official site[hotpursuit.needforspeed.com]