PC CD-ROM minimum system requirements:
Pentium 75mz;
8MB RAM (DOS 5.0),
12MB RAM (Windows 95);
4MB hard disk space;
Dual speed CD-ROM drive;
SVGA.
£39.99
FAST car, open road, sun shining, stereo up full - what more could one want. Just like the television advertisement, it's a recipe for disaster but fortunately this is only a video game and you can go as fast as you like for as long as you like and the only thing you'll hurt will be your pride should you crash.
When The Need For Speed was released on PC last year it was highly acclaimed not only because of its originality but because it was, and still is, the only game on the market to allow the gameplayer to race exotic production cars.
This special edition has two new courses (Burnt Sienna and Transtropolis), eight player network support and improved on screen navigation aids. The cars have also been tweaked to give crisper control and there is new in game music to get the pulse racing.
For the uninitiated, The Need For Speed is no arcade racer. The cars react to the road just like their real life counterparts. Failure to negotiate turns properly will result in wipe outs. This means you have no option but to take some corners at low speeds -- after all, it's supposed to be a reflection of the real thing. And just like the real thing, you run the risk of being nabbed by traffic cops.
If you already have the original there isn't enough here to warrant purchasing this, although die hard fans may "feel the need" for these extras. If, on the other hand, you missed out the first time around this special edition will fulfill all your requirements. It's still great fun.
Graphics: 96%
Sound: 92%
Gameplay: 91%