Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed is the fifth title in the Need for Speed series. In Europe, it is called Need for Speed: Porsche 2000, but in Germany and Latin America, it is simply called Need for Speed: Porsche.
This is also the first Need for Speed title in Japan to not use the name Over Drivin', which had been used since the initial release of The Need for Speed.
Porsche Unleashed was the last title in the series to feature cockpit views and damage affecting performance although damage returned in Need for Speed: ProStreet with cockpits returning in Need for Speed: Shift.
Gameplay
Players can race in four game modes namely Evolution, Factory Driver, casual single player and multiplayer parties. A replay of the previously entered event by the player can be saved after completion.
Evolution
In Evolution mode, players purchase Porsche production vehicles as well as race cars in a series of tournaments and club meeting events. Each is divided in three eras; Classic Era, Golden Era and Modern Era.
Players start from the introduction of the first 356 to the debut of the 996 Turbo. Most tournaments differ in difficulty level, entry fee and number of tracks and course types.
Customisation
The PC release saw the introduction of an upgrade system that alters performance and visual, with parts in the categories of Engine, Brakes, Transmission, Suspension, Shocks, Aerodynamics, Weight Reduction, Sway Bars, Tires, and Bodywork. Paint options included exterior and interior colour, with racing stripes and numbers.
Factory Driver
Factory Driver puts players in the role of an official Porsche test driver. Players are given various simple tasks such as performing 360 degree spins before being able to sign with Porsche AG.
Players will need to deliver cars and take part in races after being signed to Porsche. They also need to beat challenges from other test drivers such as slaloms through parts of tracks or test cars from the team's mechanic.
Single Race
PC Release
Players can create custom races, alter the difficulty level, change the number of opponents (up to seven), change the cars the opponents driving, alter traffic density and set a driving direction in a similar style as seen in Need for Speed: High Stakes.
- Quick Race - Players can drive in standard races at a location of their choice.
- Quick Knockout - The last racer to cross the finish line in a lap is eliminated after being. The event ends after a single driver is left in the event.
- Knockout - The Knockout mode in Porsche Unleashed is the same as seen in previous Need for Speed titles. The last finishing racer in an event is eliminated until a single driver is left.
Players can participate in Multiplayer modes across the Internet, LAN or peer to peer (modem or IP) games.
PlayStation Release
Quick races on the PlayStation release can be set for one, up to four players.
- Time Battle - Players have to set lap times faster than their oppponent.
- Race - Players can drive in standard races at a location of their choice.
- Chase - Players have to evade a police car for a certain time.
- Capture the Flag - Players compete to collect flags around the map.
Porsche Chronicle
The PC release features the Porsche Chronicle section, where players can access pictures, videos, and vintage promotional material from the Porsche lineup, organised by chronological order and car lineup.
Car List
Vehicles in Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed are comprised of Porsche vehicles from 1948 to 2000. The PC release features more detailed models than seen in previous titles, that allows players to interact with doors, convertible roof, trunk, and engine lids.
Courses
PC Release
Courses follow a point-to-point configuration and are set within Western Europe. The city of Monte Carlo is the only urban location used for circuit race events.
- Alps
- Autobahn
- Auvergne
- Corsica
- Côte d'Azur
- Monte Carlo
- Normandie
- Pyrénées
- Schwarzwald
- Zone Industrielle
- Weissach Skid Pad
PlayStation Release
Courses follow a circuit design, with most of them being based on a segment of one of the five main different locations. Each route differs depending on the current era.
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Scotland
- USA
- Circuit
Soundtrack
Special Releases
40 Jahre 911
The 40 Jahre 91 was released on November 13, 2003 with availability limited to Germany only. It was a special 40th year anniversary edition for the Porsche 911.
The CD box is packed in a unique metal box with the game itself patched to version 3.4. Also included is the official soundtrack to Need for Speed: Porsche although no additional game features are included.
Need for Speed: Top Speed
An additional online-only conversion of Porsche Unleashed, dubbed Need for Speed: Top Speed, was released in response to both the release of MacGillivray Freeman's 2002 IMAX film, Top Speed, and the Porsche Cayenne.
The game features three existing tracks from Porsche Unleashed (which names have been changed to refer to locations in Canada, as the sponsorship of Travel Alberta (Canada) concluded), and three Porsche vehicles: the 911 (996) Turbo, the 959 and the Cayenne Turbo.[1]
Title Differences
Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed/Differences