The Need for Speed franchise is one of the most famous and beloved in the world of racing games, but it's fallen from grace a little in recent years after some slightly forgettable outings.

EA is hoping that will change with Need for Speed Unbound, which is out now and looks to return the series to its street racing roots. Here are all the key details you need to know.

For more details on upcoming games, check out our lists of anticipated titles for PS5 or Xbox Series X/S.

Need for Speed Unbound release date

Need for Speed Unbound released on 2 December 2022, so you can hop on now and get behind the wheel.

However, EA Play members can also jump into a free 10-hour trial of the game to try before they buy.

It was a short turnaround, too - the game was only unveiled at the start of October 2022, so EA must have had it under wraps for a while.

Need for Speed Unbound
Everything we know about Need for Speed Unbound: Trailers, release date and more photo 5
EA

Need for Speed Unbound platforms

Surprisingly for such a big franchise, EA and developer Criterion have limited where you can pick up Need for Speed Unbound - it's only out on newer platforms.

You can play it on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC (through a few different storefronts). That means there's no joy for PS4 or Xbox One owners.

Need for Speed Unbound trailers

There have been a few trailers for Unbound, which you can check out below. First up is the reveal trailer.

It features glimpses of a fair few cars and characters, including real-world rapper A$AP Rocky, who's seemingly in the game (although we don't know how big his part is).

Later in October, we got a look at how you'll interact with police chases while you race.

This trailer also gives us some clearer moments of gameplay along with a good look at how your custom effects will look around your car. Next came another short gameplay showcase featuring combos, below.

Need for Speed Unbound gameplay

EA is leaning in on car customisation for Unbound, but also introducing a whole new style and look, taking inspiration from street art and graffiti.

You can customise not just your car's bodywork and tuning, using underlighting and body kits, but also the cartoony effects that surround it at key moments. The Instagram post below showcases some of these custom options, including the long-awaited addition of full cutaway options for your car's body.

While you can turn those cartoony effects off if you want a purer racing look, these larger-than-life effects can be another layer of personalisation to make you stand out when you race online.

Like Need for Speeds of old, there will still be cop chases to manoeuvre through, and you can bet before races if you want to take home some extra pay, and it's all about working your way up the street racing ranks.

You can check out the game's full map on the official site here, to get a look at where you'll be racing. It's a big open world from the looks of things, with a nice balance between tight city streets and more open, sweeping mountain roads. In fact, it's a pretty clear throwback to the halcyon days of Need for Speed Underground 2 or Most Wanted, in our books.

Everything we know about Need for Speed Unbound: Trailers, release date and more photo 3
EA

Need for Speed Unbound car list

The official website for the game has a welcome car list to browse, and we've replicated it here for you.

These are all the cars you'll be able to drive in Need for Speed Unbound at launch:

  • Acura NSX 2017
  • Acura RSX-S 2004
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2016
  • Aston Martin DB5 1964
  • Aston Martin DB11 Volante 2018
  • Aston Martin DB11 2017
  • Aston Martin Vulcan 2016
  • BMW M3 2006
  • BMW M3 Evolution II 1988
  • BMW X6 M 2016
  • BMW M3 2010
  • BMW M5 2018
  • BMW Z4 M40i 2019
  • BMW M4 Coupe 2018
  • BMW M2 Competition 2019
  • BMW M1 1981
  • BMW i8 Coupe 2018
  • BMW M4 GTS 2016
  • BMW M3 Convertible 2010
  • BMW M4 Convertible 2017
  • BMW i8 Roadster 2018
  • Bugatti Chiron Sport 2017
  • Buick Grand National GNX 1987
  • Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2020
  • Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible 2020
  • Chevrolet C10 Stepside Pickup 1965
  • Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport 2017
  • Chevrolet Camaro Z28 2014
  • Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2013
  • Chevrolet Camaro SS 1967
  • Chevrolet Bel Air 1955
  • Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 2019
  • Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 2017
  • Dodge Challenger SRT8 2014
  • Dodge Charger R/T 1969
  • Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 2019
  • Ferrari LaFerrari 2016
  • Ferrari Testarossa Coupé 1984
  • Ferrari 488 GTB 2016
  • Ferrari F40 1988
  • Ferrari 458 Italia 2009
  • Ferrari 488 Pista 2019
  • Ferrari FXX-K Evo 2018
  • Ferrari 458 Spider 2011
  • Ford F-150 Raptor 2017
  • Ford Mustang GT 2015
  • Ford GT 2017
  • Ford Mustang BOSS 302 1969
  • Ford Mustang 1965
  • Ford Mustang Foxbody 1990
  • Ford Crown Victoria 2008
  • Ford Focus RS 2016
  • Ford Mustang GT Convertible 2019
  • Honda Civic Type-R 2000
  • Honda Civic Type-R 2015
  • Honda NSX Type-R 1992
  • Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition 2009
  • Infiniti Q60S 2017
  • Jaguar F-Type R Coupe 2016
  • Jaguar F-Type R Convertible 2019
  • Koenigsegg Regera 2016
  • Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 2021
  • Lamborghini Huracán LP580-2 2018
  • Lamborghini Aventador S 2018
  • Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary 1989
  • Lamborghini Murciélago SV 2010
  • Lamborghini Urus 2018
  • Lamborghini Huracán Performante 2018
  • Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Coupe 2019
  • Lamborghini Diablo SV 1995
  • Lamborghini Huracán LP580-2 Spyder 2018
  • Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster 2018
  • Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster 2019
  • Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 SV Roadster 2018
  • Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder 2018
  • Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR 2015
  • Land Rover Defender 110 Double Cab Pickup 2015
  • Lotus Exige S 2006
  • Lotus Emira 2021
  • Mazda RX-7 Spirit R 2002
  • Mazda MX5 1996
  • Mazda RX-8 Spirit R (R3) 2011
  • Mazda MX5 2015
  • McLaren P1 2014
  • McLaren F1 1993
  • McLaren 570S 2015
  • McLaren 570S Spider 2018
  • McLaren 600LT 2018
  • McLaren P1 GTR 2015
  • Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 1988
  • Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe 2018
  • Mercedes-AMG G 63 2017
  • Mercedes-AMG GT S 2019
  • Mercedes-AMG A 45 2016
  • Mercedes-AMG GT R 2017
  • Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster 2019
  • Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet 2018
  • Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series 2021
  • Mercury Cougar 1967
  • MINI John Cooper Works Countryman 2017
  • Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2007
  • Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X 2008
  • Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 1999
  • NISSAN GT-R Premium 2017
  • NISSAN Skyline GT-R V·Spec 1999
  • NISSAN 370Z Heritage Edition 2019
  • NISSAN Silvia K’s 1998
  • NISSAN Z Prototype 2022
  • NISSAN Silvia Spec-R Aero 2002
  • NISSAN Skyline GT-R V·Spec 1993
  • NISSAN 350Z 2008
  • NISSAN Skyline 2000 GT-R 1971
  • NISSAN Fairlady 240ZG 1971
  • NISSAN 180SX Type X 1996
  • NISSAN 370Z Nismo 2015
  • NISSAN GT-R Nismo 2017
  • Pagani Huayra BC 2017
  • Plymouth Cuda 1970
  • Polestar Polestar 1 2020
  • Pontiac Firebird 1977
  • Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2019
  • Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 1973
  • Porsche 918 Spyder 2015
  • Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 2018
  • Porsche 911 Carrera S 1997
  • Porsche 911 GT2 RS 2018
  • Porsche Panamera Turbo 2017
  • Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series 2018
  • Porsche Boxster 718 Spyder 2020
  • Porsche 911 Carrera GTS 2018
  • Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet Exclusive 2018
  • Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS 2018
  • Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Convertible 2018
  • Porsche Cayman GT4 2015
  • SRT Viper GTS 2014
  • SUBARU Impreza WRX STI 2006
  • SUBARU BRZ Premium 2014
  • SUBARU Impreza WRX STI 2010
  • Volkswagen Beetle 1963
  • Volkswagen Golf GTI 1976
  • Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport 2016
  • Volvo 242DL 1975
  • Volvo Amazon P130 1970