Focusing on just one company limits vehicle-selection type, but the game offers variety by reaching into Porsche's past. With Porsches ranging from the 356 Coupe Ferdinand (1950) to the state-of-the-art 991 Porsche Turbo (2000), car aficionados will have plenty of luxury joy-ride choices. Diverse game modes and a crisp physics model complete yet another winning driving experience from Electronic Arts.

One of the most exciting new modes is called Evolution, where drivers purchase an early-model Porsche and compete in races to earn money so they can acquire upgrades, repair damage, and tweak performance. The contrast in both look and feel, from the antique models to present-day roadsters, is captured magnificently by the graphics engine and physics model. Each vehicle handles differently and offers a unique driving challenge.

Graphics are simply breathtaking, though not a significant enhancement over last year's impressive version. Realistic weather effects, rolling hills, and animated scenery all add to Porsche Unleashed's near visual perfection. Over a dozen tracks take you through grassland villages, autumn forests, and mountain roads. A wealth of Porsche historical information makes Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed a well-rounded package that should excite those looking to sample the open road in dozens of exotic sports cars. --Doug Radcliffe

Pros:

• Striking landscape graphics make each track a feast for the eyes
• Focus on Porsche delivers a large and quite interesting historical section
• Addictive Evolution mode spans the early years of Porsche to the present day
• Still the best arcade racing game on the market

• Not a significant enhancement over its predecessor
• Omits some gameplay modes included in earlier versions of Need for Speed