Just like its predecessors Need for Speed: High Stakes is an action racing game with a wide selection of exotic sports cars and many different types of tracks. The trademark Hot Pursuit mode game mode from the first game in the series is still present, where players race opponents on tracks filled with regular traffic and police cars that chase the racers. The classic pursuit mode is extended with two additional modes: Getaway and Time Trap. In Getaway the player needs to shake off the police in a set amount of time, or playing as the police trap a speeder before time runs out. In Time Trap an entire race needs to be completed before time runs out, or as the police all speeders need to be arrested. There are minor differences between the two platforms for this game mode, regarding spike strips, road blocks, and back-up. The latter for instance is unique to the PlayStation version. The Pursuit mode is available in multiplayer as well and players can take different sides or race together.

It is the first game in the series to introduce a Career mode with a set of challenges. Beating these is rewarded with trophies for unlocks, and money to spend on new cars, repairs and upgrades. In the PlayStation version the Career mode is split up into two different sets of challenges: Tournament (required races) and Special Event (optional races). High Stakes in the title refers to races where players bet their cars. In the PC version these are a part of the Career mode when the player owns more than two cars. In the PlayStation version two players can insert their memory cards and race against each other. The winner immediately receives the opponent's car and it is deleted from the loser's memory card right away.

In addition to the new game modes it is also the first game in the series to have a detailed physics models. Damage now affects both the appearance and the performance of the car for the first time.

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Alternate Titles

"Over Drivin' IV" -- Japanese title
"NFS 4" -- Common abbreviation
"Need for Speed: הדרך לניצחון" -- Hebrew spelling
"Need For Speed: Road Challenge" -- Latin American title
"Need For Speed: Road Challenge" -- European title
"Need for Speed: Conduite en état de liberté" -- French title
"Need for Speed: Brennender Asphalt" -- German title
"Need for Speed 4" -- Informal title

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Part of the Following Groups

Merchant	Title	Platform	Price
	Need For Speed 4: High Stakes	PlayStation	$0.01
	Need For Speed: High Stakes	Windows	$0.78
	Need for Speed: High Stakes
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User Reviews

The best racing game I have ever played, bar none.	Windows	Trixter (8728)
EXCELLENT!!! Best in the series!	Windows	Andrew Taylor (8)
The premier road racing game on the market today!	Windows	Rick Jones (108)
What NFS3: Hot Pursuit should have been	Windows	Kasey Chang (3664)

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The Press Says

Computer Gaming World (CGW)	Windows	Oct, 1999		100
Absolute Playstation	PlayStation	Apr, 1999	91 out of 100	91
Jeuxvideo.com	Windows	Jun 30, 1999	18 out of 20	90
Spel för Alla	Windows	Sep, 1999	9 out of 10	90
Gamer's Pulse	Windows	1999	89 out of 100	89
Gaming Entertainment Monthly	Windows	May 29, 1999	89 out of 100	89
IGN	PlayStation	Mar 24, 1999	8.8 out of 10	88
Power Unlimited	Windows	Jul, 1999	8.6 out of 10	86
Power Unlimited	PlayStation	Jun, 1999	8.5 out of 10	85
Svenska PlayStation Magasinet	PlayStation	Jun, 1999	8 out of 10	80