View source for Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed

{{Short description|2000 racing video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed
| image = Need for Speed - Porsche Unleashed Coverart.png
| developer = [[Eden Games|Eden Studios]] (PS)<br />[[EA Vancouver|EA Canada]] (PC)<br>Pocketeers (GBA)
| publisher = '''PlayStation''' & '''Windows'''<br />[[Electronic Arts]]<br />'''Game Boy Advance'''<br>{{vgrelease|NA|[[Destination Software]]|EU|[[Zoo Digital Publishing]]}}
| director = 
| producer = 
| designer = Sylvain Branchu
| programmer = Bertrand Felicite<br>Pierre-Arnaud Lambert<br>Sébastien Tixier<br>Brad Gour (PC)
| artist = Jean-Marie Nazaret<br>Robert Adams (PC)
| writer = 
| composer = Thomas Colin<br>Manuel Lauvernier<br>[[Saki Kaskas]] (PC)
| series = ''[[Need for Speed]]''
| platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released = '''PlayStation''', '''Windows'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|March 29, 2000<ref>{{cite web | author=Ajami, Amer | date=March 29, 2000 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/porsche-unleashed-races-into-stores/1100-2541988/ | title=Porsche Unleashed Races Into Stores [date mislabeled as "April 26, 2000"] | website=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000916111537/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/00_03/29_pc_porsche/index.html | archive-date=September 16, 2000 | url-status=live | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>|EU|June 23, 2000 <small>(PS)</small>|EU|July 21, 2000 <small>(PC)</small>}}'''Game Boy Advance'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|March 15, 2004|EU|March 26, 2004}}
| genre = [[Racing game|Racing]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| caption = Cover art of a PC version release the 996-series [[Porsche 911 Turbo]]
}}

'''''Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed''''', released as '''''Need for Speed: Porsche 2000''''' in Europe and '''''Need for Speed: Porsche''''' in Latin America and Germany, is a 2000 [[racing video game]]. It is the fifth installment in the ''[[Need for Speed]]'' series. Unlike other ''NFS'' titles, ''Porsche Unleashed'' centers on racing [[Porsche]] sports cars, with models ranging from years 1950 to 2000. The game is generally considered the final classic Need for Speed title before [[EA Black Box]] took over development for mainline entries in the series for many years beginning with the PS2 version of [[Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2]]. The game also marked the beginning of a 16 year exclusive licensing agreement between Porsche and EA that began in 2000 and ended in 2016 that prohibited most other developers from featuring Porsche cars in other video games without receiving a sub-license from EA. As a result of the licensing deal many games used [[Ruf Automobile|Ruf]] and [[Gemballa]] models in place of Porsche to  circumvent Porsche's licensing as Ruf is considered by the German government to be a full-fledged manufacturer, and as such Ruf models have unique [[Vehicle identification number|VINs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2016-12-13 |title=EA’s exclusive licensing deal with Porsche is over |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/12/13/13935732/porsche-ea-exclusive-license-gran-turismo |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Luke |date=2016-12-13 |title=Report: Porsche/EA Exclusivity Deal Is Over |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/12/13/report-porscheea-exclusivity-deal-is-over |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
{{Original research section|date=October 2017}}
[[File:NFS Porsche Unleashed.jpg|left|thumb|A screenshot of the game (Windows version), depicting the exclusive use of Porsche cars on a track set on [[Corsica]]. The car displayed is a 930, in front of it is a factory mode 911 Carrera RS 2.7.]]
''Need for Speed: Porsche'' ''Unleashed'' gives the player the opportunity to race Porsche cars (including 3 race cars) throughout a range of tracks located in Europe. There are two career modes, an evolution mode, where the player starts with Porsche cars made in 1950 with the first [[Porsche 356|356]] and ends with Porsche cars made in 2000 with the [[Porsche 996|996]] and factory driver mode, where the player goes through a series of events like slalom, stunts, and races, using Porsche cars preselected for each event. The player can customize their cars drawing from an in-depth catalog of different Porsche as well as aftermarket parts. Unlike previous games in the series, there are no pursuit modes in the Windows version. Some factory driver events include police cars, but the police cars only attempt to impede the players car during certain sprint events. In the PlayStation version, there is an exclusive chase mode where the player has to outrun a pursuing police car until a timer runs out.<ref name=IGNPS/> In splitscreen multiplayer, a second player can take control of the police car and attempt to catch the other player.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://psxdatacenter.com/games/U/N/SLUS-01104.html | title=Need for Speed - Porsche Unleashed - (Ntsc-u) | website=PlayStation DataCenter | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409155612/https://psxdatacenter.com/games/U/N/SLUS-01104.html | archive-date=April 9, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>

The factory driver mode introduces the first storyline in the ''Need For Speed'' series. The player's goal is to become a Porsche factory driver by completing a series of events. The game uses pop-up windows, each with an image of an existing Porsche factory team member, and text describing the next event, and also commenting on the player's progress. In some cases, a timed course such as a slalom notes the required time to pass, but also mentions the current team record, where beating the record is optional and the post event pop-up will note if the player set a new record or not. The events involve stunts, like doing two 180 degree spins (the first one leaves the players car driving backwards for a bit), slalom courses, delivery (time limited sprints with police that interfere with the player's car), normal sprint and circuit races.

==''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'' and three Porsche vehicles: the 911 (996) Turbo, the 959 and the Cayenne Turbo.

Access to ''Need for Speed: Top Speed'' was bundled alongside the PC version of ''[[Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2]]''.<ref name="top speed bundle">{{cite web | url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/need-for-speed-hot-pursuit-2/adblurbs | title=Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 Ad Blurbs | website=[[MobyGames]] | publisher=[[Atari SA]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522070349/https://www.mobygames.com/game/need-for-speed-hot-pursuit-2/adblurbs | archive-date=May 22, 2022 | url-status=dead | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>

== ''40 Jahre 911 Bundle'' ==
[[File:NFS Porsche.JPG|thumb|right|The 40 Jahre 911 game CD alongside a regular CD]]
The ''40 Jahre 911 Bundle'' was released on November 13, 2003 and was only available in Germany. It was a special 40th 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 of the game, although no additional game features were included.

{{clear}}

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GBA = true
| PC = true
| PS = true
| na = true
| GR_GBA = 59%<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gba/577495-need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/index.html | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed for Game Boy Advance | website=[[GameRankings]] | publisher=CBS Interactive | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430212747/https://www.gamerankings.com/gba/577495-need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/index.html | archive-date=April 30, 2019 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| GR_PC = 84%<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/250545-need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/index.html | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed for PC | website=GameRankings | publisher=CBS Interactive | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521122549/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/250545-need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/index.html | archive-date=May 21, 2019 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| GR_PS = 75%<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198118-need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/index.html | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed for PlayStation | website=GameRankings | publisher=CBS Interactive | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521132059/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198118-need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/index.html | archive-date=May 21, 2019 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| MC_GBA = 62/100<ref name=MCGBA>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed critic reviews (GBA) | website=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107012904/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed | archive-date=November 7, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>
| MC_PS = 78/100<ref name=MCPS>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed critic reviews (PS) | website=Metacritic | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324003909/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed | archive-date=March 24, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>
| Allgame_PC = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web | author=Nguyen, Cal | url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22682&tab=review | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PC) - Review | website=[[AllGame]] | publisher=[[All Media Network]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114230335/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22682&tab=review | archive-date=November 14, 2014 | url-status=dead | access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref>
| Allgame_PS = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web | author=Huey, Christian | url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22680&tab=review | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS) - Review | website=AllGame | publisher=All Media Network | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114231435/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=22680&tab=review | archive-date=November 14, 2014 | url-status=dead | access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref>
| CNG_PC = 9/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Goble, Gord | date=April 20, 2000 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0%2C6%2C0-4029%2C00.html | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PC) | website=Gamecenter | publisher=[[CNET]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815074616/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-4029,00.html | archive-date=August 15, 2000 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| CNG_PS = 6/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Steinberg, Scott | date=May 3, 2000 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Needforspeed/ | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS) | website=Gamecenter | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000819123304/http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Needforspeed/ | archive-date=August 19, 2000 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| CGSP_PC = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web | author=Bauman, Steve | date=April 4, 2000 | url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/027/049/nfspu_review.html | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed | website=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] | publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030525205235/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/027/049/nfspu_review.html | archive-date=May 25, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| CGW_PC = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Fortune, Greg | url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_192.pdf | title=Need for One of These! (''Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed'' Review) | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=192 | date=July 2000 | page=84 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005233548/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_192.pdf | archive-date=October 5, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>
| EGM_PS = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author1=Hager, Dean | author2=Wochok, Cyril | author3=Davison, John | url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/bf/EGM_US_131.pdf | title=Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS) | magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=131 | date=June 2000 | page=167 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408134403/https://retrocdn.net/images/b/bf/EGM_US_131.pdf | archive-date=April 8, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>{{efn|In ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''{{'}}s review of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it 8.5/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 7/10.}}
| GI_PS = 7.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS) [game mislabeled as "Need for Speed: Porsche Challenge"] | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | publisher=[[FuncoLand]] | issue=86 | date=June 2000}}</ref>
| GameRev_PS = D<ref>{{cite web | author=White, A.A. | date=April 2000 | url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34120-need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed-review |title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review (PS) | website=[[GameRevolution]] | publisher=[[CraveOnline]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911070111/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed | archive-date=September 11, 2015 | url-status=live | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = 8.9/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Kasavin, Greg |date=April 9, 2000 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed-review/1900-2560278/ | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review (PC) | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010609120536/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2560278,00.html | archive-date=June 9, 2001 | url-status=live | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS = 5.9/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Mielke, James | date=March 27, 2000 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed-review/1900-2546026/ | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review (PS) | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010715075548/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2546026,00.html | archive-date=July 15, 2001 | url-status=live | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| GSpy_PC = 89%<ref>{{cite web | author=Weber, Mike | date=April 27, 2000 | url=http://www.sportplanet.com/features/reviews/pu/ | title=NFS: Porche Unleashed [sic] (PC) | website=[[GameSpy|SportPlanet]] | publisher=GameSpy Industries | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030404001347/http://www.sportplanet.com/features/reviews/pu/ | archive-date=April 4, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref>
| IGN_GBA = 6/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Harris, Craig | date=March 29, 2004 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/29/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed-5 | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (GBA) | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520150352/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/03/29/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed-5 | archive-date=May 20, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Lopez, Vincent | date=March 31, 2000 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/01/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed-2 | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PC) | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927010735/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/01/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed-2 | archive-date=September 27, 2022 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>
| IGN_PS = 8.3/10<ref name=IGNPS>{{cite web | author=Perry, Douglass C. | date=April 11, 2000 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/12/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PS) | website=[[IGN]] | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413042129/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/04/12/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed | archive-date=April 13, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref>
| NGen_PC = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=NGen>{{cite magazine | author=Trueman, Doug | url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen66Jun2000/page/n107/mode/2up | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed (PC) | magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]] | publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] | issue=66 | date=June 2000 | page=104 | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>
| NP_GBA = 3.4/5<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed | magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] | publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]] | volume=175 | date=January 2004 | page=161}}</ref>
| OPM_PS = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Davison, John | url=https://archive.org/details/Official_U.S._Playstation_Magazine_Issue_33_June_2000/page/n101/mode/2up | title=NFS [sic]: Porsche Unleashed | magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]] | publisher=Ziff Davis | volume=3 | issue=9 | date=June 2000 | page=105 | access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref>
| PCGUS_PC = 94%<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Mahood, Andy | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/nfs_porsche_unl.html |  title=NFS [sic]: Porsche Unleashed | magazine=[[PC Gamer]] | publisher=Imagine Media | volume=7 | issue=7 | date=July 2000 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315141306/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/nfs_porsche_unl.html | archive-date=March 15, 2006 | url-status=dead | access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref>
}}

The PlayStation version received "generally favorable reviews", while the Game Boy Advance version received "mixed" reviews, according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=MCGBA/><ref name=MCPS/> Doug Trueman of ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]'' gave a lukewarm review of the PC version.<ref name=NGen/> In the UK, ''[[PlayStation Official Magazine - UK|Official UK PlayStation Magazine]]'' gave the PS version eight out of ten and liked its structure, but said that many of the 70 cars were indistinguishable, and criticised the lifespan. They described the handling as "arcadey", and warned people who didn't like Porsches to "steer well clear".<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Need for Speed: Porsche 2000 | magazine=[[PlayStation Official Magazine - UK|Official UK PlayStation Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] | issue=59 | date=June 2000}}</ref> The D-Pad Destroyer of ''[[GamePro]]'' was positive to the PlayStation version and praised the manufacturer license of Porsche cars as an innovation for the series.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=The D-Pad Destroyer | date=April 20, 2000 | url=http://gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/5296.shtml | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com | magazine=[[GamePro]] | publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040807044925/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/5296.shtml | archive-date=August 7, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the PlayStation version 3/5 for graphics, 4/5 for sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor.}} Thomas Crymes called the PC version as "entertaining and refined racer".<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Crymes, Thomas | date=April 14, 2000 | url=http://gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/5278.shtml | title=Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed Review for PC on GamePro.com | magazine=GamePro | publisher=IDG Entertainment | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050215233845/http://gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/5278.shtml | archive-date=February 15, 2005 | url-status=dead | access-date=August 6, 2015}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the PC version 4/5 for graphics, sound, control, and fun factor.}}

''[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer US]]'' named the PC version the best racing game of 2000.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC Gamer staff | title=The Seventh Annual PC Gamer Awards | magazine=PC Gamer | publisher=Imagine Media | issn=1080-4471 | volume=8 | issue=3 | date=March 2001}}</ref> It also won the award for "Driving Game of the Year" at ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2000 Awards.<ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | date=January 5, 2001 | url=http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000/p3_06.html | title=Best and Worst of 2000 (Driving Game of the Year) | website=GameSpot | publisher=Ziff Davis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010123231000/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2000/p3_06.html | archive-date=January 23, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref> It was a runner-up for "Racing" at ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''{{'}}s 2001 Premier Awards, which went to ''[[Motocross Madness 2]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=CGW staff | url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_201.pdf | title=The 2001 Premier Awards: Games of the Year (Racing) | magazine=Computer Gaming World | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=201 | date=April 2001 | page=77 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405012655/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_201.pdf | archive-date=April 5, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref> During the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|AIAS]]' [[4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], it received a nomination for the "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year|PC Simulation]]" award, which was ultimately given to ''[[MechWarrior 4: Vengeance]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/simulation.html | title=Fourth Interactive Achievement Awards: PC Simulation | website=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020108172421/http://www.interactive.org/awards/simulation.html | archive-date=January 8, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref> The staff of ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'' nominated it for their 2000 "Racing Game of the Year" award, whose winner remains unknown.<ref>{{cite web | author=CGM staff | date=February 8, 2001 | url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/031/125/010208-07.html | title=Computer Games Magazine announces nominees for annual best in computer gaming awards | website=Computer Games Strategy Plus | publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209070529/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/031/125/010208-07.html | archive-date=February 9, 2005 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref> It was also nominated for the Racing Game of the Year award at the ''[[CNET|CNET Gamecenter]]'' Computer Game Awards for 2000, whose winner was unfortunately lost to time.<ref>{{cite web | author=Gamecenter staff | date=January 25, 2001 | url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards2k/ss10.html | title=The Gamecenter Computer Game Awards for 2000! (Racing Game of the Year Nominees) | website=Gamecenter | publisher=CNET | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010203194800/http://www.gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards2k/ss10.html | archive-date=February 3, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref> The PlayStation version was a runner-up for the "Racing Game of 2000" award in Readers' Choice at ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s Best of 2000 Awards for PlayStation.<ref>{{cite web | author=IGN staff | date=January 30, 2001 | url=http://psx.ign.com/news/30800.html | title=PSX Best of 2000: Racing | website=IGN | publisher=Snowball.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010417184004/http://psx.ign.com/news/30800.html | archive-date=April 17, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref>

The PC version sold 74,795 units in the U.S. by the end of 2000. This accounted for $2.58 million in revenue.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=PC Gamer staff | title=Eyewitness: It's All in the Numbers | magazine=PC Gamer | publisher=Imagine Media | volume=8 | issue=4 | date=April 2001 | pages=40–41}}</ref> Domestic sales rose to 340,000 units, for revenues of $6.3 million, by August 2006. At the time, this led ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' to declare it the country's 52nd-best-selling computer game released since January 2000.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Edge staff | date=August 25, 2006 | url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/5/ | title=The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century (Page 5) | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | publisher=[[Future plc]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165827/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/5/ | archive-date=October 17, 2012 | url-status=dead | access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>

In the German market, the game debuted at #4 on [[:de:Media Control|Media Control]]'s computer game sales rankings for March 2000. Securing fifth place the following month, it proceeded to remain in the top 20 through June, before dropping to 27th in July and 39th in August. Sales in the region totaled roughly 65,000 units by late 2000, a figure with which Electronic Arts was "not dissatisfied", according to ''[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]]''{{'}}s Udo Hoffman. However, he noted that the title had underperformed compared to its predecessors, and was part of a downturn in computer game sales that year.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Hoffman, Udo | title=NachSpiel | language=de | magazine=[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]] | publisher=Future Verlag GmbH | date=November 2000 | page=30}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/186480/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/|name=''Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed'' (PlayStation)}}
* {{moby game|id=/1398/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/|name=''Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed'' (Windows)}}
* {{moby game|id=/68784/need-for-speed-porsche-unleashed/|name=''Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed'' (Game Boy Advance)}}

{{Need for Speed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2000 video games]]
[[Category:Destination Software games]]
[[Category:Eden Games games]]
[[Category:Electronic Arts games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Need for Speed games|* 05]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Pocketeers games]]
[[Category:Porsche]]
[[Category:Racing video games by vehicle brand]]
[[Category:Video games about police officers]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Canada]]
[[Category:Video games developed in France]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Rom Di Prisco]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Saki Kaskas]]
[[Category:Video games set in France]]
[[Category:Video games set in Germany]]
[[Category:Video games set in Monaco]]
[[Category:Windows games]]