Product ReviewsNeed for Speed III: Hot Pursuit (Sony PlayStation 1, 1998)

Fun racer; cool cars; sweet music; classic Need for Speed (1998).

I just received this game today, and have already almost unlocked all of the game's rewards (except for one reward). Here's a quick breakdown of this game: you race cars (illegally) through various open-road settings. All of the cars are some sort of sports car. Settings can range from rural to city, and from rural to desert. Tracks can be altered to take place in the daytime or at nighttime, as well whether or not to include weather effects like rain or snow; tracks can be raced forward or backward, as well as "mirrored" (where a track's horizontal orientation is "flip-flopped"). There are two difficult settings to choose from: "beginner," the easier difficulty, and "expert," the more difficult setting where the AI of other racers are improved for better driving skills. I won't go into great detail, but there are different modes to choose from - the two modes you must play to unlock rewards are "Knockout Mode" and "Tournament Mode;" there is also a "Practice Mode" for practicing; "Single Race Mode" for "simple" racing (no cops); and "Hot Pursuit Mode," which is similar to "Single Race Mode," except there are now cops on tracks. I like this game already for many reasons. One is the difficulty - it seems to have a good balance between "not too easy" and "not too hard" (especially "expert mode"). You can choose between "simulation" and "arcade" realism settings to alter the realism of driving dynamics. Another reason I like this game is the graphics - I had the PC version of this game for a short time a long time ago, and from memory, the graphics in the PS1 version seem pretty comparable to the PC version - the track graphics look amazing, and the cars, although lacking detail like interiors and side mirrors (I think the lack of side mirrors are basically the only graphical difference between the PS1 version and the PC version besides resolution options, which the PC version has), cast reflections and shadows which are a nice touch; the graphics, which already look nice for something that came out 15 years ago, look even better when playing this game with a PS2 and having the "enhanced graphics" activated. The real-time lighting effects, especially when racing at night, look amazing. The frame rate varies from smooth to a bit choppy, but never seems to become "unplayable." Something else I like about this game is it seems much more "family friendly" than more recent Need for Speed games I have played - I don't hear any cursing or blasphemy, nor do I see anything inappropriate (ex. skimpy fashion) - this is back when the Need for Speed games seemed to have the family in mind, which only seemed to last until the "Underground" era, at least for the most part (I haven't played any of the Need for Speed games beyond Carbon, so I don't know fully about any of those games). Note this game is rated "E." One downside to this game is it seems to lack a good replay-ability factor; once you unlock all of the rewards, there's only so much you can do? I think once this point is reached, this game becomes one of those games you break out every once in a while to play around with - I haven't tried two-player in this game yet, but I would imagine that if you have a friend to play with, it would make the game more enjoyable verses playing it alone. If you're looking for a fun 90's racing game, or a fun game in general, I think this game would be a good pick! God bless!Read full review...

PS1 - Need for Speed 3 Hot Pursuit

Many people consider Need for Speed 3 a classic racing game, and it is indeed. However, if you're looking for classic Need for Speed 3 racing action, you're better off playing the PC version.

While graphics aren't always everything, the graphics in PS1 version of NFS3 are horrible, horrible, horrible. There is hardly any view distance, the cars look like they have 10 polygons, and the textures are expectedly very low res.

One thing that has remained in-tact fortunetely is the great soundtrack. The music used in NFS3 was way ahead of it's time.

That's about the only thing that remained in-tact for this version of a great game. Even the controls don't feel the same, the cars just don't have that same feel. Running from cops in this version isn't any fun either because of an over-sized spike strip that can be layed down by the police.

Even the menu doesn't have the slick attractive look to it anymore, replaced by a somewhat simliar but watered down version. Where's the custom color panel? Where's the gallery with fantastic photographs of each car and an announcer telling you why these cars are so awesome? The car side by side comparisons?

None of that is there.Read full review...

Great game. Nostalgia

Had this game when I was younger. Only had a ps1 for gaming and this was one of my favorites. Starting playing it again after 7 years or so and it's bringing back a lot of good memories.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: lukiegames

Very good game

It's a very good game. I haven't had time to play it because I'm always busy. I had ordered it on Friday around 10:15 and I had gotten it on Monday, it shipped very fast

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: thelastmatticorn

Fantastic early racer

Need For Speed 3 is a great example of a solid early racing game, especially if you like arcade style racers. This installment also kicked off my favorite NFS series, the Hot Pursuit games

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: raginram48

Good price, decent quality.

The plastic jewel case fell apart immediately, but all the paper inserts and the game were in decent condition.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: nintendobulldog

HARD TO FIND IN ANY STORE NFS III HOT PURSUIT PS2

THIS IS A GAME AFTER THE HEART OF ANY HONEST GUY OR GAL THAT ALWAYS WANTED TO JUST STEP ON THE GAS AND GO WHEN THOSE FLASHING LIGHTS ELUMINATE OUR VEHICLE, OF COURSE WE NEVER DO IT BUT (and I am sure your know what I mean)we want to.
THE SPEED AND THE CONTROL OF THE VARIOUS CARS ARE GREAT FOR ME AND YES ON AN HDTV IT GETS A LITTLE BLURY ON THE TIGHT CURVES WITH A CROUD OF CARS SIDE BY SIDE, BUT THAT IS JUST PART OF THE GAME I COULD ADJUST THE RES. BUT I DON'T.
IN ALL THE GAME IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO LOCATE BUT IF YOU WANT IT IT CAN BE FOUND.

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR "THE BUTCHER BOY"Read full review...

NFS HP

Need for speed iii is the hottest pursuit game ever to be given the name Need for speed.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: canadian_video_...

Great game condition.

The disk was in immaculate condition. No visible scratches or damage. Felt a bit nostalgic playing again.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: unitedgamesofam...

Great game

Yes the graphics are horrible, but this game took me back to kindergarten! If u had a PS1 back in the day I’m sure u had this game

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: eflipstuff