Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit PS1 box art

PlayStation · Racing

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit

Certified classic

SystemPlayStation
Released1998
GenreRacing
DeveloperElectronic Arts
PublisherElectronic Arts
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesNeed for Speed
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 31

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit is a racing game released in 1998 for the PlayStation, developed by Electronic Arts.

It landed about 3 years into the PS1's life. Other notable PS1 releases from 1998 include Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2 and Tomb Raider II. Among the 160 PS1 racing games in our database, it ranks #5 by legacy score.

It is part of the Need for Speed series; on the PS1 you can also try Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed, Need for Speed II and Need for Speed: High Stakes. The series also appears on other systems with The Need for Speed (3DO) and Need for Speed: Nitro (DS). Electronic Arts also made World Cup 98, NASCAR Rumble and Road Rash 3D for the PS1.

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you want to experience one of the PS1's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you want a story or exploration rather than laps

What playing Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit is like

Racing games range from realistic driving to kart racers with weapons and shortcuts. Races are short, making them great for quick sessions and split-screen rivalries.

Tip for newcomers: Learn each track's racing line and braking points; in kart racers, item strategy matters as much as driving.

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit gameplay screenshot on PS1
In-game screenshot (PS1)

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit cheats & codes

38 codes on file (Action Replay, GameShark, Xploder). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

RCJC Pad 17012E3A2 ????
RCJC Pad 27012E3C2 ????
AnAc Pad 17012E3A0 ????
AnAc Pad 27012E3C0 ????
Y-Fix 2042910F2 825A
All tracks & cars unlocked84375511 DE92

See all Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit cheats

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit.

If you like Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit, the Matrix also picks…

Playing PS1 games today

PS1 games range from quick arcade racers to 60-hour RPGs. A selection is available through PlayStation Plus Premium, and if you own the discs you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit FAQ

When did Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit come out on the PS1?

Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit was released for the PlayStation in 1998.

Who made Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit?

It was developed by Electronic Arts.

Is Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit multiplayer?

Yes. Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit supports up to 2 players.

How long does Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit take to play?

As a racing game, Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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