What are the pros of Need for Speed™ Most Wanted?

Fast-paced, high-energy gameplay reminiscent of the Burnout series.. Visuals and graphics have aged remarkably well and still look modern.. Excellent soundtrack and audio design, particularly the iconic intro.. Engaging open-world map design that encourages exploration.. Exciting and intense police chases that add to the arcade thrill..

What are the cons of Need for Speed™ Most Wanted?

Significant brand confusion with the 2005 original leads to player disappointment.. Lack of native controller support makes it difficult to play without workarounds.. Technical hurdles involving the EA launcher and DRM activation keys.. Aggressive DLC monetization with many cars locked behind additional paywalls.. Long, unskippable crash camera sequences that interrupt the flow of racing..

Need for Speed™ Most Wanted

The open-world action in Need for Speed Most Wanted gives you the freedom to drive your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, lie low or head for terrain that plays to your vehicle’s unique strengths. Fight your way past cops and rivals using skill, high-end car tech and tons of nitrous.

77%

Mostly Positive

DeveloperCriterion Games

PublisherElectronic Arts

Release DateJun 18, 2020

$19.99

Peak Players1.9K

Metacritic78

PlatformsWindows

Action

Adventure

Racing

AI Review Summary

Need for Speed™ Most Wanted (2012) is a high-octane arcade racer that feels more like a spiritual successor to the Burnout series than a traditional NFS title. While it features impressive graphics and a standout soundtrack, it is frequently criticized for technical issues like poor native controller support and the requirement of the EA launcher.

Pros

Fast-paced, high-energy gameplay reminiscent of the Burnout series.90%
Visuals and graphics have aged remarkably well and still look modern.80%
Excellent soundtrack and audio design, particularly the iconic intro.70%
Engaging open-world map design that encourages exploration.60%
Exciting and intense police chases that add to the arcade thrill.60%

Cons

Significant brand confusion with the 2005 original leads to player disappointment.90%
Lack of native controller support makes it difficult to play without workarounds.80%
Technical hurdles involving the EA launcher and DRM activation keys.70%
Aggressive DLC monetization with many cars locked behind additional paywalls.60%
Long, unskippable crash camera sequences that interrupt the flow of racing.50%

Notable Mentions

The game is frequently described as 'Burnout with licensed cars' rather than a traditional Need for Speed game.
Difficulty ratings for in-game races are often inconsistent and do not reflect the actual challenge.
Progression is controversial, as players find cars in the world rather than earning them through a traditional career mode.

Confidence: 73%

Based on the 137 most relevant reviewsGenerated on Aug 30, 2026

Game Vitals

Live snapshot

Player Activity

Current peak

472

Peak · last 90 days

1.4K

All-time peak

1.9K

Price

Current price

$19.99

Lowest tracked

$1.99since Jan 28, 2026

Review Sentiment

Launch week

—

Last 30 days

73%

All-time positive

77%

Review Statistics

Total Reviews27.9K

Positive: 21.5K (77%)Negative: 6.4K (23%)

Reviews from Steam Deck

Dev Response Rate

22h

Avg Playtime at Review

60%

Credible Reviews