PlayStation · Racing
The Need for Speed
Certified classic
| System | PlayStation |
|---|---|
| Genre | Racing |
| Developer | EA Vancouver |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Need for Speed |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 20 |
Developed by EA Vancouver and published by Electronic Arts, The Need for Speed arrived on the PlayStation as a racing game.
Among the 160 PS1 racing games in our database, it ranks #11 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 III: Hot Pursuit. The series also appears on other systems with The Need for Speed (3DO) and Need for Speed: Nitro (DS).
The Need for Speed 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 The Need for Speed 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.
The Need for Speed walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The Need for Speed.
If you like The Need for Speed, the Matrix also picks…
Need for Speed II Classic
Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit Classic
Need for Speed: High Stakes Classic
V-Rally Classic
Need for Speed: Carbon Classic
V-Rally 2 Classic
Need for Speed: ProStreet Classic
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.
The Need for Speed FAQ
Who made The Need for Speed?
It was developed by EA Vancouver and published by Electronic Arts.
Is The Need for Speed multiplayer?
Yes. The Need for Speed supports up to 2 players.
How long does The Need for Speed take to play?
As a racing game, The Need for Speed 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 The Need for Speed 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.