Need for Speed: High Stakes

 PlayStation
Need for Speed: High Stakes Image
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 57 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: It doesn't really mess with the formula of the last game, but adds enough new features and options to keep its fans excited.
Buy On

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. GamePro
    100
    Between the hot cars and tracks, in-depth Tournament mode, and thrilling cop chases, this excellent racer's got depth and style to spare. It's worth every cent.
  2. Absolute Playstation
    91
    The graphics are absolutely stunning, but lose a few points for a quirky frame rate and lack of spectacular lighting, but damn they sure are perdy!
  3. Gamezilla!
    91
    The overall graphics, gameplay and realism are as good as any racing game I have seen for the Sony PlayStation, and it’s a lot of fun too.
  4. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    86
    Put your high-priced cars on the line in this racing sequel. [Jan 2004, p.188]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Cincinnati Enquirer
    80
    The game slows down when the track is full of cars. Plus, you might find your attention distracted by an over-detailed landscape that washes out the course ahead.
  6. Hot Games
    80
    It's more evolutionary than revolutionary, really.
  7. All Game Guide
    60
    It seems almost threadbare in places due to the lack of attention in the physics, design, and multi-player aspects. Casual racing fans will probably get a kick out of it, but the hardcore gamers will be left wanting more.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. VoltZeer
    Oct 16, 2017
    10
    After countless hours of me dominating the ai with my Lamborghini Diablo, escaping tense police chases with my Porsche 911, and cruising theAfter countless hours of me dominating the ai with my Lamborghini Diablo, escaping tense police chases with my Porsche 911, and cruising the streets in my McLaren F1 GTR, I've come up with the conclusion that this might be where the Need for Speed series peaked. Even for an older game, the graphics aren't too bad. The car models are very nicely done, and the sound design is beyond what you would expect from this game! It's so satisfying to here the engine of your Ferrari F50 blasting through a tunnel, something that EA always got right. In the game, you progress by completing tournaments, which you take part in by acquiring a specific type of car. Certain cars are restricted to certain tournaments, so it's always a good thing to save your cash. The tracks are each distinguishable from each other. They each have a unique look and feel to them. You start out with 3 tracks unlocked, and as you progress, you will unlock more. There are also special events, which play sort of like tournaments, but instead of being a series of races, they all consist of a single race with entry fees, but not all have vehicle requirements. Overall, this game is perfect if you want to go back to the late 1990s, and re-live what racing games were like. No doubt, this game made a huge mark of the Need for Speed legacy.… Expand
  2. AmirGTR
    Nov 21, 2020
    10
    When they say "High Stakes", they weren't kidding. In the Career mode you buy expensive cars and upgrade them to stage 1, 2 and 3. At the endWhen they say "High Stakes", they weren't kidding. In the Career mode you buy expensive cars and upgrade them to stage 1, 2 and 3. At the end of each tournament, you race for pinks, and you can't restart the game! Is it raining at night and you just smashed your headlight and have to drive in pitch dark? Too bad buddy. I used to pull the plug out my computer just to avoid losing my car. I don't think any racing game has made me that nervous short of NFS Most Wanted. The cops were aggressive and smart, the handling was realistic, the dashboard view was perfect, you could use your horn, your lights, and tune the car to your liking. As a cop you could switch with other cop cars to catch a racer, deploy spike strips and call for a helicopter, or even fly a helicopter! The music gave me goosebumps, and the showcase, narration and videos describing each car in detail made all of them feel very special. I hope EA comes to their senses and remakes this game without omitting any of the things that made it truly great.… Expand
  4. 2ksnipefest
    Dec 27, 2013
    10
    The best money can buy as it is for a racing game for ps1. Test drive 6 is a close 2nd. I spent hours on celtic ruins avoiding the policeThe best money can buy as it is for a racing game for ps1. Test drive 6 is a close 2nd. I spent hours on celtic ruins avoiding the police spike strips and road blocks. Driving around at more than 100 mph and driving great looking vehicles. Porche's lamborghini's, ferrari's, and the awesome orange mclaren what a prize it was to win it all. I would even go as far to say that this is the most important need for speed ever created.… Expand
  5. saco
    Jul 1, 2020
    9
    Este juego ofrece esa única experiencia característica de la saga en los años 90, y aunque no tenga una historia de trasfondo el juego se lasEste juego ofrece esa única experiencia característica de la saga en los años 90, y aunque no tenga una historia de trasfondo el juego se las ingenia para promover al jugador a conseguir tan complicados logros.
    A nivel gráfico hay que destacar que dio más de lo que debería, con detalles inusuales en los juegos de la época (como referencia tomemos en cuenta que además de las luces especulares y los detalles del interior del coche, incluyendo movimientos del manubrio, está los paisajes que incluso a días de hoy se conservan frescos a diferencia de las dos primeras entrega).
    Los efectos sonoros están bien ambientados para la ubicación geográfica de cada pista (sonidos ambientales que incluyen animales, cascadas, entre otros).
    La música es perfecta para el contexto gracias al trabajo que hizo rom di prisco en el campo del techno, música ideal para un juego de carreras en los 90.
    En cuanto al contenido creo que es alucinante, pues es el primer juego que incluye un sistema de personalización y mejoras representados en un esquema básico. El juego incluyó un sistema monetario en el que compras un auto, lo vendes o lo mejoras, reparos cada vez que terminaba una carrera y a lo mejor tenías que tener cierto presupuesto para avanzar, con las mejoras sacrificando la rapidez con la que vas avanzando, y aún más genial su técnica, haciendo que el jugador tenga que pasárselo para desbloquear pistas y coches. Y si creen que el juego es monótono, pueden irse al diablo, puesto que a pesar de la reducida cantidad de coches tenemos a los mas representativos y queridos del momento. Los circuitos con lugares diferentes, incluyendo Europa, América e Inglaterra.
    La jugabilidad es única y firme, requiriendo de una gran habilidad para el dominio de cada coche para obtener el éxito, es una extraña simulación fuera de lugar, pero es comoda y perfecta para un sistema competitivo.
    Las físicas también son peculiares debido a que se siente como un cartón pesado, generando colisiones subreales en los que el golpe le da vueltas al coche, insitandote a nunca estrellarte, y el otro dato que también te da una advertencia al momento de competir son las colisiones que afectan el rendimiento en la competición (motor, suspensión y carrocería) además de que las reparaciones cuestan dinero, lo cual varía del coche y el nivel de daño.
    Los modos de juego son varios, en caso de haber completado los campeonatos puedes echarte un buen rato probando competiciones individuales organizadas en tus pistas (pudiendo configurarla a tu gusto) usando tus coches personalizados para batir records. Y si no es eso, está el test drive, para conducir con trafico en una sola vuelta, o el hot pursuit en el que puedes ser un patrullero o un fugitivo apoyado con las diferentes patrullas que puedes desbloquear.
    CONTRAS:
    *El diseño de los coches no son fieles al mismo en su totalidad, obteniendo medidas erróneas al comparar uno con otro.
    *En el modo multiplicador la cámara no es cómoda para promover la mejor experiencia.    … Expand
  6. sebastianali
    Jun 30, 2019
    8
    El mejor NFS de la saga, si bien la IA es frustrante de superar, el juego es divertidisimo. Los vehiculos se pueden romper (cosa que esEl mejor NFS de la saga, si bien la IA es frustrante de superar, el juego es divertidisimo. Los vehiculos se pueden romper (cosa que es increible para un juego de ps1 de 1999) y posee un modo llamado High Stakes en el que dos jugadores a pantalla dividida compiten con dos memory cards y el que pierde transfiere el coche de una memory card a la otra. MUY INNOVADOR.… Expand
  7. DanielleY.
    Nov 30, 2003
    0
    This game has many interesting cars. Its graphics don't work well on my computer, but it is still a fun and cool game!!!!!
  8. needspeed2005
    Apr 26, 2021
    0
    the best classic racing game

    from the time of the 90s and the best cars ferrari 360, f50, diablo sv, etc and new cars and an animated 3d    the best classic racing game

    from the time of the 90s and the best cars
    ferrari 360, f50, diablo sv, etc
    and new cars and an animated 3d character in the pc version    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PS1 Game of 1999
22
#22 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1999
19
#19 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1999