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Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed

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Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed
Cover art of a PC version release the 996-series Porsche 911 Turbo
Developer(s)Eden Studios (PS)
EA Canada (PC)
Pocketeers (GBA)
Publisher(s)PlayStation & Windows
Electronic Arts
Game Boy Advance
Designer(s)Sylvain Branchu
Programmer(s)Bertrand Felicite
Pierre-Arnaud Lambert
Sébastien Tixier
Brad Gour (PC)
Artist(s)Jean-Marie Nazaret
Robert Adams (PC)
Composer(s)Thomas Colin
Manuel Lauvernier
Saki Kaskas (PC)
SeriesNeed for Speed
Platform(s)PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance
ReleasePlayStation, Windows
  • NA: March 29, 2000[1]
  • EU: June 23, 2000 (PS)
  • EU: July 21, 2000 (PC)
Game Boy Advance
  • NA: March 15, 2004
  • EU: March 26, 2004
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed, released as Need for Speed: Porsche 2000 in Europe and Need for Speed: Porsche in Latin America and Germany, is a 2000 racing video game. It is the fifth installment in the Need for Speed series. Unlike other NFS titles, Porsche Unleashed centers on racing Porsche sports cars, with models ranging from years 1950 to 2000. The game generally considered the final classic Need for Speed title before EA Black Box took over development for mainline entries in the series for many years beginning with the PS2 version of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2. The game also marked the beginning of a 16 year exclusive licensing agreement between Porsche and EA that began in 2000 and ended in 2016 that prohibited most other developers from featuring Porsche cars in other video games without receiving a sub-license from EA. As a result of the licensing deal many games used Ruf models in place of Porsche to circumvent Porsche's licensing as Ruf is considered by the German government to be a full-fledged manufacturer, and as such Ruf models have unique VINs.[2][3]

Gameplay

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A screenshot of the game (Windows version), depicting the exclusive use of Porsche cars on a track set on Corsica. The car displayed is a 930, in front of it is a factory mode 911 Carrera RS 2.7.

Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed gives the player the opportunity to race Porsche cars (including 3 race cars) throughout a range of tracks located in Europe. There are two career modes, an evolution mode, where the player starts with Porsche cars made in 1950 with the first 356 and ends with Porsche cars made in 2000 with the 996 and factory driver mode, where the player goes through a series of events like slalom, stunts, and races, using Porsche cars preselected for each event. The player can customize their cars drawing from an in-depth catalog of different Porsche as well as aftermarket parts. Unlike previous games in the series, there are no pursuit modes in the Windows version. Some factory driver events include police cars, but the police cars only attempt to impede the players car during certain sprint events. In the PlayStation version, there is an exclusive chase mode where the player has to outrun a pursuing police car until a timer runs out.[4] In splitscreen multiplayer, a second player can take control of the police car and attempt to catch the other player.[5]

The factory driver mode introduces the first storyline in the Need For Speed series. The player's goal is to become a Porsche factory driver by completing a series of events. The game uses pop-up windows, each with an image of an existing Porsche factory team member, and text describing the next event, and also commenting on the player's progress. In some cases, a timed course such as a slalom notes the required time to pass, but also mentions the current team record, where beating the record is optional and the post event pop-up will note if the player set a new record or not. The events involve stunts, like doing two 180 degree spins (the first one leaves the players car driving backwards for a bit), slalom courses, delivery (time limited sprints with police that interfere with the player's car), normal sprint and circuit races.

Need for Speed: Top Speed

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An additional online-only conversion of Porsche Unleashed, dubbed Need for Speed: Top Speed, was released in response to both the release of MacGillivray Freeman's 2002 IMAX film, Top Speed, and the Porsche Cayenne. The game features three existing tracks from Porsche Unleashed and three Porsche vehicles: the 911 (996) Turbo, the 959 and the Cayenne Turbo.

Access to Need for Speed: Top Speed was bundled alongside the PC version of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2.[6]

40 Jahre 911 Bundle

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The 40 Jahre 911 game CD alongside a regular CD.

The 40 Jahre 911 Bundle was released on November 13, 2003 and was only available in Germany. It was a special 40th anniversary edition for the Porsche 911.

The CD box is packed in a unique metal box with the game itself patched to version 3.4. Also included is the official soundtrack of the game, although no additional game features were included.

Reception

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The PlayStation version received "generally favorable reviews", while the Game Boy Advance version received "mixed" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[10][11] Doug Trueman of NextGen gave a lukewarm review of the PC version.[26] In the UK, Official UK PlayStation Magazine gave the PS version eight out of ten and liked its structure, but said that many of the 70 cars were indistinguishable, and criticised the lifespan. They described the handling as "arcadey", and warned people who didn't like Porsches to "steer well clear".[30] The D-Pad Destroyer of GamePro was positive to the PlayStation version and praised the manufacturer license of Porsche cars as an innovation for the series.[31][b] Thomas Crymes called the PC version as "entertaining and refined racer".[32][c]

PC Gamer US named the PC version the best racing game of 2000.[33] It also won the award for "Driving Game of the Year" at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2000 Awards.[34] It was a runner-up for "Racing" at Computer Gaming World's 2001 Premier Awards, which went to Motocross Madness 2.[35] During the AIAS' 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, it received a nomination for the "PC Simulation" award, which was ultimately given to MechWarrior 4: Vengeance.[36] The staff of Computer Games Magazine nominated it for their 2000 "Racing Game of the Year" award, whose winner remains unknown.[37] It was also nominated for the Racing Game of the Year award at the CNET Gamecenter Computer Game Awards for 2000, whose winner was unfortunately lost to time.[38] The PlayStation version was a runner-up for the "Racing Game of 2000" award in Readers' Choice at IGN's Best of 2000 Awards for PlayStation.[39]

The PC version sold 74,795 units in the U.S. by the end of 2000. This accounted for $2.58 million in revenue.[40] Domestic sales rose to 340,000 units, for revenues of $6.3 million, by August 2006. At the time, this led Edge to declare it the country's 52nd-best-selling computer game released since January 2000.[41]

In the German market, the game debuted at #4 on Media Control's computer game sales rankings for March 2000. Securing fifth place the following month, it proceeded to remain in the top 20 through June, before dropping to 27th in July and 39th in August. Sales in the region totaled roughly 65,000 units by late 2000, a figure with which Electronic Arts was "not dissatisfied", according to PC Player's Udo Hoffman. However, he noted that the title had underperformed compared to its predecessors, and was part of a downturn in computer game sales that year.[42]

Notes

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  1. ^ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it 8.5/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 7/10.
  2. ^ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 3/5 for graphics, 4/5 for sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.
  3. ^ GamePro gave the PC version 4/5 for graphics, sound, control, and fun factor.

References

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  1. ^ Ajami, Amer (March 29, 2000). "Porsche Unleashed Races Into Stores [date mislabeled as "April 26, 2000"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on September 16, 2000. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  2. ^ Good, Owen S. (2016-12-13). "EA's exclusive licensing deal with Porsche is over". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  3. ^ Reilly, Luke (2016-12-13). "Report: Porsche/EA Exclusivity Deal Is Over". IGN. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  4. ^ a b Perry, Douglass C. (April 11, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  5. ^ "Need for Speed - Porsche Unleashed - (Ntsc-u)". PlayStation DataCenter. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 Ad Blurbs". MobyGames. Atari SA. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  7. ^ "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed for Game Boy Advance". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  8. ^ "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed critic reviews (GBA)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on November 7, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed critic reviews (PS)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Nguyen, Cal. "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PC) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  13. ^ Huey, Christian. "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  14. ^ Goble, Gord (April 20, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  15. ^ Steinberg, Scott (May 3, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 19, 2000. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  16. ^ Bauman, Steve (April 4, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 25, 2003. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  17. ^ Fortune, Greg (July 2000). "Need for One of These! (Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 192. Ziff Davis. p. 84. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  18. ^ Hager, Dean; Wochok, Cyril; Davison, John (June 2000). "Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 131. Ziff Davis. p. 167. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  19. ^ "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS) [game mislabeled as "Need for Speed: Porsche Challenge"]". Game Informer. No. 86. FuncoLand. June 2000.
  20. ^ White, A.A. (April 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review (PS)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  21. ^ Kasavin, Greg (April 9, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review (PC)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 9, 2001. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  22. ^ Mielke, James (March 27, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review (PS)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on July 15, 2001. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  23. ^ Weber, Mike (April 27, 2000). "NFS: Porche Unleashed [sic] (PC)". SportPlanet. GameSpy Industries. Archived from the original on April 4, 2003. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  24. ^ Harris, Craig (March 29, 2004). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (GBA)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  25. ^ Lopez, Vincent (March 31, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Trueman, Doug (June 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PC)". NextGen. No. 66. Imagine Media. p. 104. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  27. ^ "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed". Nintendo Power. Vol. 175. Nintendo of America. January 2004. p. 161.
  28. ^ Davison, John (June 2000). "NFS [sic]: Porsche Unleashed". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Vol. 3, no. 9. Ziff Davis. p. 105. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  29. ^ Mahood, Andy (July 2000). "NFS [sic]: Porsche Unleashed". PC Gamer. Vol. 7, no. 7. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  30. ^ "Need for Speed: Porsche 2000". Official UK PlayStation Magazine. No. 59. Future Publishing. June 2000.
  31. ^ The D-Pad Destroyer (April 20, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 7, 2004. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  32. ^ Crymes, Thomas (April 14, 2000). "Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 15, 2005. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  33. ^ PC Gamer staff (March 2001). "The Seventh Annual PC Gamer Awards". PC Gamer. Vol. 8, no. 3. Imagine Media. ISSN 1080-4471.
  34. ^ GameSpot staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000 (Driving Game of the Year)". GameSpot. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 23, 2001. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  35. ^ CGW staff (April 2001). "The 2001 Premier Awards: Games of the Year (Racing)" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 201. Ziff Davis. p. 77. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  36. ^ "Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: PC Simulation". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on January 8, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  37. ^ CGM staff (February 8, 2001). "Computer Games Magazine announces nominees for annual best in computer gaming awards". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  38. ^ Gamecenter staff (January 25, 2001). "The Gamecenter Computer Game Awards for 2000! (Racing Game of the Year Nominees)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on February 3, 2001. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  39. ^ IGN staff (January 30, 2001). "PSX Best of 2000: Racing". IGN. Snowball.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2001. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  40. ^ PC Gamer staff (April 2001). "Eyewitness: It's All in the Numbers". PC Gamer. Vol. 8, no. 4. Imagine Media. pp. 40–41.
  41. ^ Edge staff (August 25, 2006). "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century (Page 5)". Edge. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  42. ^ Hoffman, Udo (November 2000). "NachSpiel". PC Player (in German). Future Verlag GmbH. p. 30.
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