Need for Speed: High Stakes

Need for Speed: High Stakes (1999)

by EA Canada, Electronic Arts
Genres:Simulator, Racing
Game modes:Single player, Multiplayer
Story:Just like its predecessors Need for Speed: High Stakes is an action racing game with a wide selection of exotic sports cars and many different types of tracks. The trademark Hot Pursuit mode game mode from the first game in the series is still present, where players race opponents on tracks filled with regular traffic and police cars that chase the racers. The classic pursuit mode is extended with two additional modes: Getaway and Time Trap. In Getaway the player needs to shake off the police in a set amount of time, or playing as the police trap a speeder before time runs out. In Time Trap an entire race needs to be completed before time runs out, or as the police all speeders need to be arrested. There are minor differences between the two platforms for this game mode, regarding spike strips, road blocks, and back-up. The latter for instance is unique to the PlayStation version. The Pursuit mode is available in multiplayer as well and players can take different sides or race together. It is the first game in the series to introduce a Career mode with a set of challenges. Beating these is rewarded with trophies for unlocks, and money to spend on new cars, repairs and upgrades. In the PlayStation version the Career mode is split up into two different sets of challenges: Tournament (required races) and Special Event (optional races). High Stakes in the title refers to races where players bet their cars. In the PC version these are a part of the Career mode when the player owns more than two cars. In the PlayStation version two players can insert their memory cards and race against each other. The winner immediately receives the opponent's car and it is deleted from the loser's memory card right away. In addition to the new game modes it is also the first game in the series to have a detailed physics models. Damage now affects both the appearance and the performance of the car for the first time.Show more
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Stories about this game (9)
What’s your memory of Need for Speed: High Stakes?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
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user avatar@Kisarajiuser avatar@Kisaraji
January 29, 2025
It's a crime that what is, in my opinion, the best of the classic Need For Speed games isn't easily available nowadays. This game is basically an expansion of the masterpiece that is Need For Speed III, it's got an amazing handling on cars, good sense of speed, big and varied circuits, and even includes everthing Hot Pursuit had on top of the new content. I've played it to death and I cannot recommend it enough. EA has a pretty abysmal track record of videogame preservation, and the series that I feel needs it the most right now is NFS. I've voted for every NFS game here, but High Stakes is special to me, so I'm leaving this in. Also these screenshots are from the PS1 version pls fix
user avatar@maggituser avatar@maggit
January 29, 2025
My favourite Need For Speed from the classic era. An improvement on Hot Pursuit's formula that also... contains all of the tracks from NFS3. The game is insanely moddable and this functionality should be kept in. Remove the polygon limit and 50 car limit, allow us to add as many tracks we want (lord knows there are a lot of great fan made tracks) and let us go nuts in this absolute classic!
user avatar@schM0ggiuser avatar@schM0ggi
January 31, 2025
The best Need for Speed game ever made. It's essentially an improved Need for Speed 3 with a more realistic gameplay, containing many if not all tracks from the previous game. Additionally, the best part for me personally, is the career mode, comparable to Gran Turismo with driving many different cups (different car classes), buying and tuning cars (to some degree). Yes, it's a crime this game can't not be bought digitally. While it's playable on modern systems, you have to jump through some hoops and, of course, somehow get the game. This game deserves better. Please GOG, bring it back for modern systems!
user avatar@zenmonk9003user avatar@zenmonk9003
February 02, 2025
Need for Speed: High Stakes was even better than NFS III: Hot Pursuit. This is a must have for any NFS fan. Heck, just bring them back so we can enjoy them once again.
grafika muzyka poziom pościgów z policją sam grałem w nią na PC różny poziom wyścigów dla tego i chciałbym w nią zagrać też ponownie po tych długich latach .
need for speed was the first game i got when i got into pc gaming, pentium 2 400mhz 128mb ram and 32mb video card.. those were the days, so much fun using a new usb controller and a big and heavy 20inch crt monitor
I remember walking into Costco in 1999, seeing this game on display, being instantly captivated by the cover art and screenshots, and begging Mom and Dad to buy it. I also remember being blown away by the physics and graphics, trying to convey my excitement to my classmates, and being met with blank stares. That's been the legacy of this game: one of the finest racing games ever made, that barely anyone has played or even heard of. It was trapped on the PC at a time when PC gaming was very niche, and the PSX port absolutely does not do it justice. The intro, the menus, the music, the cars, the tracks... every aspect of this game is gorgeous and electrifying. I come back to High Stakes every few years to reconquer the excellent career mode and enjoy some wild police pursuits. I'd love to see it on GOG, along with all the other classic Need for Speed titles. This is the very best of the good old games.
user avatar@Blashteduser avatar@Blashted
May 16, 2025
This game brings back memories of PC in 2000 as a very small child. I vaguely remember we had this with a force feedback wheel and it being a blast to play vs the cops. Bring it back!
user avatar@dradic12user avatar@dradic12
May 29, 2025
Need for Speed: High Stakes matters to my childhood because it was one of the first games to make racing feel intense, personal, and rewarding, with real consequences, epic police chases, and unforgettable cars. It captured my imagination and gave me thrilling memories that stuck with me.
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