Revamped NFS series launches this year

EA has told Eurogamer that the immensely popular Need For Speed franchise is to be reinvented into separate core, casual and 'Play 4 Free' games.

Need for Speed: Shift will launch on PC, Xbox 360, PS3 and PSP this autumn, apparently, along with Need for Speed: Nitro on Wii and DS.

Need for Speed: World Online will be released to the Asian online PC market this summer, before heading West in the winter.

"The urban underground was a manifestation of style in some past Need for Speed games for sure, but Shift focuses less on these style cues and more on mirroring the driver experience, that athleticism of being in a wickedly-intense race, and what it really feels like to be behind the wheel," said EA marketing boss Keith Munro about Need for Speed Shift.

Of Need for Speed Nitro he added: "Need for Speed Nitro on the Wii and DS will not be a Mario Kart clone - Nintendo already does an excellent job with that.

"Instead, we are evolving the arcade racer with a fresh and unique visual style that is very Need for Speed. The game will be rich and deep and will appeal to experienced arcade racers as well as casual players."

"What you'll see is that Nitro in no way resembles any other previous Need for Speed title," said Munro.

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