Latest Reviews of Criterion Games Games
Review Need for Speed: Most Wanted (Xbox 360)
Fast and furious.
Back in 2008, when Criterion released Burnout Paradise into the world, they changed people's perceptions about what an open-world racer could truly be. Sweeping vistas, recognizable streets and some truly revolutionary multiplayer gaming were the order of the day, and the gaming public responded well. 2010's Need for Speed: Hot...
Latest Criterion Games Articles
News EA Is Bringing Another Year Of Content Updates To Need For Speed Unbound
As the series celebrates a huge anniversary!
EA's latest Need for Speed title launched in late 2022, followed up by a solid year of free and premium content updates throughout last year. Well, as we move into 2024 the team has announced that it has plans for "another year of live service" for Need for Speed Unbound. That live service plan will...
News Need For Speed Unbound 'Volume 4' Now Available On Xbox Game Pass
The latest update is now live
Need for Speed Unbound arrived on Xbox Game Pass earlier this summer thanks to EA Play, and the dev team is still bringing content to the game via its 'Volume' updates - the latest of which adds a couple of cars and some other bits and pieces. The two new cars in question are the 'Custom Porsche 911 Carrera S' and the...
News Need For Speed Unbound Gets First Free Content Update This Month
Coming March 21
Criterion Games and EA have unveiled the first proper post-launch update for Need for Speed Unbound, arriving March 21st on all platforms. New content is coming with the "evolution of Lakeshore Online"; the game's multiplayer mode. As part of this, we're seeing a few new cars being added to the roster. You can unlock these via...
News Criterion Loses Five Major Team Members Following Need For Speed Unbound Launch
Including the VP and GM of the studio
We don't know about you, but we've been having a great time with Need for Speed Unbound ever since it launched back in late November, but we get the feeling it perhaps hasn't sold as well as it deserves so far. The game is already 40% off as part of the Xbox Countdown Sale 2022 (it also made our "best deals"...
Hands On Need For Speed Unbound Is A Next-Gen Return To Form For NFS
Gotta go fast
As soon as we caught wind that British developer Criterion was back behind the wheel of the latest Need for Speed title, you could say we were pretty excited to see the final result. A number of the series' recent entries have underwhelmed us, so a mix up in the dev department felt like a good choice with 2022's game. While the results...
News NFS Unbound Dev Says Leaving Xbox One Behind Led To 'Transformative Racing Experience'
"I feel like anyone that plays it will totally understand"
Need for Speed Unbound is the first NFS title to arrive after the current-gen console launch in late 2020, with the teams at EA and Criterion deciding to drop last-gen systems with this release. While the development studio initially wanted to go with a cross-gen release for Unbound, it...
News Need For Speed Unbound Impresses At Over 1080P, 60FPS On Xbox Series S
"It's pretty amazing"
We've been digging into Need For Speed Unbound over the past few days - in fact, we should have some of our own impressions to share on the game fairly shortly! Our time so far has been spent playing on Xbox Series X, where the game hits 4K / 60FPS for some sweet, smooth racing. However, it looks like Unbound is pretty...
News Need For Speed Unbound Getting Positive Early Reception, Xbox Game Pass Trial Now Live
Worth a try?
Need for Speed Unbound is beginning to roll out across Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, as the game's early access 'Palace Edition' has gone live alongside its EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 10-hour free trial. With the first batch of players now going hands-on, some initial impressions are beginning to crop up online, and the...
News Burnout Developer Criterion Believes A New Entry 'Would Be Absolutely Phenomenal Now'
"I would love to do that"
British developer Criterion Games may well be hard at work on this year's Need for Speed Unbound release, but the team hasn't forgot about its famous Burnout series. Burnout is still held in incredibly high regard by a lot of arcade racing fans, who eagerly await its potential return. Well, that could indeed happen at some...
News Need For Speed Unbound Performance Details Confirmed For Xbox Series X|S
Smooth slidin'
Need For Speed Unbound is so close we can almost see it barrelling towards us through our rear-view mirrors. EA's latest open world racer hits the streets on December 2nd, unless you pick up the 'Palace Edition' which launches three days early on November 29th (the free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial also begins on November 29th!)...
News EA Drops 'Most In-Depth' Look At Need For Speed Unbound Yet
Welcome to Lakeshore
The newest Need for Speed game was only announced in early October, and believe it or not, launch is almost here! Yes, Need for Speed Unbound hits Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on December 2nd, and ahead of launch, developer Criterion has put together a brand-new gameplay trailer. Unbound's 'Speed Race' gameplay video...
News Need For Speed Unbound Gives Off 'Underground' Vibes In New Gameplay Trailer
Going underground
Need For Speed Unbound heads to Xbox Series X and S in less than two months, and EA is finally beginning to reveal proper gameplay of Criterion's new racer. While we were treated to a few clips earlier this month, this new trailer shows some extended sequences in action and we're getting major NFS Underground vibes here. Something...
News Need For Speed Unbound Gameplay Reveal Shows In-Depth Customization
Choose your style
EA has just showcased its first look at Need for Speed Unbound gameplay ahead of the game's launch in December. The brief trailer — along with its accompanying Tweet — reveals some interesting info about what Unbound is aiming for. That objective appears to be customization, and lots of it. The snippets show different...
Feature Five Criterion Games You Should Try Before Need For Speed Unbound
A treasure trove of high-speed action, and crashes
EA finally lifted the lid on Need for Speed Unbound this week, after months of rumours surrounding the 2022 series entry. British developer Criterion Games is back at the helm of a brand-new NFS for first time in about a decade with this one, which makes us unusually excited for a new Need for...
News Need For Speed Unbound Next-Gen Performance Targets Revealed
The series is ditching Xbox One
Need For Speed Unbound has been officially unveiled by EA, and developer Criterion's upcoming take on the series is going in a brand-new direction. Not only is the team opting for a stylized, cell-shaded look, but we're also finally getting increased performance on consoles thanks to a focus on next-gen tech. Talking...
News Need For Speed Unbound Brings Stylized Street Racing To Xbox This December
No boundaries
Well, here it is! EA has officially revealed 2022's 'Need For Speed' title, and it's launching this year! Need For Speed Unbound is a current-gen-only racer from Criterion, and it hits Xbox Series X|S on December 2nd. The game's first trailer confirms what leaked just yesterday; Unbound is going in a very different direction for Need...
News Need For Speed 2022 Leaked Images Reveal Unique New Direction For The Series
Unbound by the past
Update: EA has now revealed Need For Speed: Unbound with a release date of December 2nd, 2022! Original story: Just about a week ago we heard reports that the reveal of Need for Speed 2022 was right around the corner, and that it'd be titled 'Unbound'. Well, a new listing via Japanese site
News 2022's Need For Speed Is Reportedly Current-Gen Only
Last-gen consoles seemingly no longer family
It seems as though the next chapter in EA's long-running Need For Speed street racing franchise may be set to release on current-gen consoles only. As reported by the fine folk over at VGC, Venturebeat's Jeff Grubb, speaking on his GiantBomb show Grubbsnax, remarked that the latest in the bombastic r
News New Need For Speed Likely To Be Arriving On Xbox This Year
EA expects street racing action to return in late 2022
As first reported by VGC, and initially flagged up by journalist Tom Henderson on Twitter, it appears as though we'll be getting our hands on a brand new Need for Speed in Q4 of this year. The latest entry in the racing franchise was first announced back in 2020 and set to arrive last year, but...
News Sorry, No New Need For Speed This Year As EA Adds Support To Battlefield 6
“We’re going to put all the resources we have on this”
EA is reportedly delaying its upcoming Need for Speed game by a year to shift its developer, Criterion Games, towards assisting on Battlefield 6. Speaking to Polygon, chief studio officer, Laura Miele, acknowledged that the EA Dice team developing Battlefield 6 is “working incredibly...
News Here's Your First Look At The New Need For Speed By Criterion Games
Get ready to burn some next-gen rubber
Towards the end of EA Play - the company's chief studios officer Laura Miele spoke about the future and what's ahead. She explained how all of EA's studios were creating new stories, experiences, and gameplay - all enabled by new console technology. One of these, as you might have guessed, is the...
News EA Is Bringing Another Year Of Content Updates To Need For Speed Unbound
As the series celebrates a huge anniversary!
EA's latest Need for Speed title launched in late 2022, followed up by a solid year of free and premium content updates throughout last year. Well, as we move into 2024 the team has announced that it has plans for "another year of live service" for Need for Speed Unbound. That live service plan will...
News Need For Speed Unbound 'Volume 4' Now Available On Xbox Game Pass
The latest update is now live
Need for Speed Unbound arrived on Xbox Game Pass earlier this summer thanks to EA Play, and the dev team is still bringing content to the game via its 'Volume' updates - the latest of which adds a couple of cars and some other bits and pieces. The two new cars in question are the 'Custom Porsche 911 Carrera S' and the...
News Need For Speed Unbound Gets First Free Content Update This Month
Coming March 21
Criterion Games and EA have unveiled the first proper post-launch update for Need for Speed Unbound, arriving March 21st on all platforms. New content is coming with the "evolution of Lakeshore Online"; the game's multiplayer mode. As part of this, we're seeing a few new cars being added to the roster. You can unlock these via...
News Criterion Loses Five Major Team Members Following Need For Speed Unbound Launch
Including the VP and GM of the studio
We don't know about you, but we've been having a great time with Need for Speed Unbound ever since it launched back in late November, but we get the feeling it perhaps hasn't sold as well as it deserves so far. The game is already 40% off as part of the Xbox Countdown Sale 2022 (it also made our "best deals"...
Hands On Need For Speed Unbound Is A Next-Gen Return To Form For NFS
Gotta go fast
As soon as we caught wind that British developer Criterion was back behind the wheel of the latest Need for Speed title, you could say we were pretty excited to see the final result. A number of the series' recent entries have underwhelmed us, so a mix up in the dev department felt like a good choice with 2022's game. While the results...
News NFS Unbound Dev Says Leaving Xbox One Behind Led To 'Transformative Racing Experience'
"I feel like anyone that plays it will totally understand"
Need for Speed Unbound is the first NFS title to arrive after the current-gen console launch in late 2020, with the teams at EA and Criterion deciding to drop last-gen systems with this release. While the development studio initially wanted to go with a cross-gen release for Unbound, it...
News Need For Speed Unbound Impresses At Over 1080P, 60FPS On Xbox Series S
"It's pretty amazing"
We've been digging into Need For Speed Unbound over the past few days - in fact, we should have some of our own impressions to share on the game fairly shortly! Our time so far has been spent playing on Xbox Series X, where the game hits 4K / 60FPS for some sweet, smooth racing. However, it looks like Unbound is pretty...
News Need For Speed Unbound Getting Positive Early Reception, Xbox Game Pass Trial Now Live
Worth a try?
Need for Speed Unbound is beginning to roll out across Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, as the game's early access 'Palace Edition' has gone live alongside its EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 10-hour free trial. With the first batch of players now going hands-on, some initial impressions are beginning to crop up online, and the...
News Burnout Developer Criterion Believes A New Entry 'Would Be Absolutely Phenomenal Now'
"I would love to do that"
British developer Criterion Games may well be hard at work on this year's Need for Speed Unbound release, but the team hasn't forgot about its famous Burnout series. Burnout is still held in incredibly high regard by a lot of arcade racing fans, who eagerly await its potential return. Well, that could indeed happen at some...
News Need For Speed Unbound Performance Details Confirmed For Xbox Series X|S
Smooth slidin'
Need For Speed Unbound is so close we can almost see it barrelling towards us through our rear-view mirrors. EA's latest open world racer hits the streets on December 2nd, unless you pick up the 'Palace Edition' which launches three days early on November 29th (the free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial also begins on November 29th!)...
News EA Drops 'Most In-Depth' Look At Need For Speed Unbound Yet
Welcome to Lakeshore
The newest Need for Speed game was only announced in early October, and believe it or not, launch is almost here! Yes, Need for Speed Unbound hits Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on December 2nd, and ahead of launch, developer Criterion has put together a brand-new gameplay trailer. Unbound's 'Speed Race' gameplay video...
News Need For Speed Unbound Gives Off 'Underground' Vibes In New Gameplay Trailer
Going underground
Need For Speed Unbound heads to Xbox Series X and S in less than two months, and EA is finally beginning to reveal proper gameplay of Criterion's new racer. While we were treated to a few clips earlier this month, this new trailer shows some extended sequences in action and we're getting major NFS Underground vibes here. Something...
News Need For Speed Unbound Gameplay Reveal Shows In-Depth Customization
Choose your style
EA has just showcased its first look at Need for Speed Unbound gameplay ahead of the game's launch in December. The brief trailer — along with its accompanying Tweet — reveals some interesting info about what Unbound is aiming for. That objective appears to be customization, and lots of it. The snippets show different...
Feature Five Criterion Games You Should Try Before Need For Speed Unbound
A treasure trove of high-speed action, and crashes
EA finally lifted the lid on Need for Speed Unbound this week, after months of rumours surrounding the 2022 series entry. British developer Criterion Games is back at the helm of a brand-new NFS for first time in about a decade with this one, which makes us unusually excited for a new Need for...
News Need For Speed Unbound Next-Gen Performance Targets Revealed
The series is ditching Xbox One
Need For Speed Unbound has been officially unveiled by EA, and developer Criterion's upcoming take on the series is going in a brand-new direction. Not only is the team opting for a stylized, cell-shaded look, but we're also finally getting increased performance on consoles thanks to a focus on next-gen tech. Talking...
News Need For Speed Unbound Brings Stylized Street Racing To Xbox This December
No boundaries
Well, here it is! EA has officially revealed 2022's 'Need For Speed' title, and it's launching this year! Need For Speed Unbound is a current-gen-only racer from Criterion, and it hits Xbox Series X|S on December 2nd. The game's first trailer confirms what leaked just yesterday; Unbound is going in a very different direction for Need...
News Need For Speed 2022 Leaked Images Reveal Unique New Direction For The Series
Unbound by the past
Update: EA has now revealed Need For Speed: Unbound with a release date of December 2nd, 2022! Original story: Just about a week ago we heard reports that the reveal of Need for Speed 2022 was right around the corner, and that it'd be titled 'Unbound'. Well, a new listing via Japanese site
News 2022's Need For Speed Is Reportedly Current-Gen Only
Last-gen consoles seemingly no longer family
It seems as though the next chapter in EA's long-running Need For Speed street racing franchise may be set to release on current-gen consoles only. As reported by the fine folk over at VGC, Venturebeat's Jeff Grubb, speaking on his GiantBomb show Grubbsnax, remarked that the latest in the bombastic r
News New Need For Speed Likely To Be Arriving On Xbox This Year
EA expects street racing action to return in late 2022
As first reported by VGC, and initially flagged up by journalist Tom Henderson on Twitter, it appears as though we'll be getting our hands on a brand new Need for Speed in Q4 of this year. The latest entry in the racing franchise was first announced back in 2020 and set to arrive last year, but...
News Sorry, No New Need For Speed This Year As EA Adds Support To Battlefield 6
“We’re going to put all the resources we have on this”
EA is reportedly delaying its upcoming Need for Speed game by a year to shift its developer, Criterion Games, towards assisting on Battlefield 6. Speaking to Polygon, chief studio officer, Laura Miele, acknowledged that the EA Dice team developing Battlefield 6 is “working incredibly...
News Here's Your First Look At The New Need For Speed By Criterion Games
Get ready to burn some next-gen rubber
Towards the end of EA Play - the company's chief studios officer Laura Miele spoke about the future and what's ahead. She explained how all of EA's studios were creating new stories, experiences, and gameplay - all enabled by new console technology. One of these, as you might have guessed, is the...