- For Hot Pursuit mode in other entries in the series, see Hot Pursuit (Game Mode).
Hot Pursuit is a game mode in Need for Speed: High Stakes, in which racers compete against each other along courses and whilst evading the police.
It can be played in single player or split-screen, as well as in online multiplayer in the PC release.
Cops will use various tactics including spike strips and roadblocks to stop racers. In the PC release, jersey barriers and a helicopter are also used to assist in the police to locate racers.
In both releases, police vehicles have different siren sounds and liveries corresponding to the countries in which the courses are based.
PlayStation[]
Racer[]
Players can race solo, or in a duel against either an A.I. opponent or a split-screen player.
The police scanner, as well as police radio chatter, can be heard during an event, which can help predict spike strip and roadblock placement.
When racing solo, an elite interceptor unit can appear as the race progresses and its performance is either equal to or above the player's current vehicle. If they join a pursuit, they announce over the police scanner that they are taking command of the pursuit.
If a player gets busted, they will receive a warning ticket. Racers will be arrested if they exceed the ticket limit, which is determined by the number of laps.
Cop[]
Cop players spawn at random locations along a course.
Players have to arrest 10 speeders within the time limit, which is slightly increased after each racer arrest. Assistance with the deployment of as spike strips and roadblocks can be requested after a pursuit duration exceeds an extended period of time.
Rewards[]
Players are rewarded with bonus Pursuit vehicles upon reaching certain quotas of arrested speeders:
- Pursuit Chevrolet Corvette: Arrest ten racers with the Pursuit Chevrolet Caprice.
- Pursuit Lamborghini Diablo SV: Arrest ten racers with the Pursuit BMW M5 (Australian Police), Pursuit Chevrolet Corvette, Pursuit HSV GTS, or Pursuit Porsche 911 Turbo.
- Pursuit Porsche 911 Turbo: Arrest ten racers with the Pursuit BMW M5 (British, French, or German Police).
- Jailbird 2000 (for Test Drive mode): Arrest ten racers with the Pursuit Lamborghini Diablo SV.
PC[]
Modes[]
Classic[]
The original Hot Pursuit mode:
- Racer: Finish the race in first place
- Cop: Arrest all racers
Getaway[]
Both Racers and Cops start at random locations along a course.
- Racer: Avoid the police for as long as possible or before the time expires.
- Cop: Arrest the racer within the time limit.
Time Trap[]
- Racer: Complete all laps of a course in a given time period, and receiving a ticket reduces available time.
- Cop: Stop all racers from finishing the race before the timer reaches zero.
Police Tactics[]
In the PC release, players are supported by other cops, including requesting a wingman and helicopter support to help locating racers, as well as requesting roadblocks.
- Players can deploy spike strips.
- Players can swap their police vehicles with those utilised by other A.I. cops.
- Players can designate another cop as their wingman, which acts as their partner to help track down racers.
- Players assign them with the W key, and give their wingman direct orders with first using the W key, then pressing the K key to set up a roadblock, or deploy a spike strip by pressing the S key.
Driving Assists[]
- Damage: Either "On", in which cars can be damaged; or "Off", making all cars invulnerable.
- Pursuit: Available only for cop players, when ON, pressing the Reset button after a bust will teleport the player to the leading racer.
Badges[]
Players are rewarded with "Most Wanted" badges upon winning as a racer, and "Top Cop" badges upon winning as a cop. They are earned separately for each of the three Hot Pursuit modes, and can be given for all available courses.
Winning both Most Wanted and Top Cop badges for all three modes unlocks bonus Pursuit vehicles, although to unlock them it is only required to earn the badges in the seven regular courses:
Rewards[]
- Pursuit Chevrolet Camaro: Become "Most Wanted" and "Top Cop" in one of the three modes for all of the seven regular courses.
- Pursuit Lamborghini Diablo SV: Become "Most Wanted" and "Top Cop" in two of the three modes for all of the seven regular courses.
- Pursuit La Niña: Become "Most Wanted" and "Top Cop" in all three modes for all of the seven regular courses.
Trivia[]
- Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Nissan vehicles are not allowed for use in Hot Pursuit mode.
- Hot Pursuit mode does not include the three Raceway courses.