Fans to date are still dreaming of a Need for Speed: Most Wanted Remake or even just a remaster, but the reality is very different. Being one of the most popular racing games of all time, NFS Most Wanted has become a cult classic. The original 05 Most Wanted had a certain charm to it that no other Need for Speed games have even come close to replicating. Whether it was the racing mechanics, its blacklist story, or the iconic feel of driving the BMW M3 through Rockport, Need for Speed: Most Wanted is truly unmatched. Let’s take a look at why NFS Most Wanted will never be remade or remastered.
What Happened to Need for Speed Most Wanted
The original Need for Speed Most Wanted was released on November 15th, 2005, for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, and PC. On its launch, the game became one of the fastest-selling NFS titles, selling out copies worldwide. The huge success that followed prompted EA to create similar titles, with NFS Carbon launching the next year in 06, but it failed to meet expectations.
EA revived the Most Wanted IP in 2012 with a new title developed by Criterion Games. While the game borrowed the Most Wanted name, it was not a faithful remake of the 2005 classic and failed to turn heads. The release features a new setting, more Arcady racing mechanics, and a repetitive loop. The game also removed key features like The Blacklist Story, Gritty feel of the open world and most importantly the Cars, which made the original such a beloved racing game.
The 2012 NFS Most Wanted release created confusion and disappointed many long-term fans, who expected a true remake or a new take on the IP. Fans expected more from the revival, such as an emotional story, adrenaline-rushing pursuits, and the return of the iconic BMW M3 GTR. The lack of depth in the gameplay loop led to exhausted fans and NFS Enthusiasts.
The EA Dilemma and Shift in Focus
By now, every gamer is well-versed with EA and its game development. The company has on many occasions fumbled with some of its greatest game series. Whether it is the Battlefield Series, Star Wars Game, or The Need for Speed Games, the company’s focus has shifted to live service titles. Rather than a fully blown out single-player or a packaged game at launch, EA is going hard with the idea of Live service in every Title.
Recent news has also indicated that EA has shifted its focus away from NFS and is mainly working on the next Battlefield Game. Criterion, the developers of NFS, are part of the newly organised Battlefield Studios, a conglomerate of EA-owned studios. Working together in collaboration to develop Battlefield 6. This move has shifted the studio’s ability to work on a fully fledged NFS title or even a Most Wanted Remake.
Challenges with a Need for Speed Most Wanted Remake
While many think a remake is simply porting the game over onto a new engine with some tweaks here and there, that’s not entirely the case. A remake of this level requires the same amount of time and effort as an original title. Yes, the developers already have a base to build with, but that doesn’t solve all their problems. EA has a bad reputation when it comes to making remakes or remasters of their game, and an NFS Most Wanted Remake will be a challenge.
Engine Port
The Original MW was created on the EAGL 3 engine, which is a proprietary in-house game engine. Used by EA in multiple Need for Speed titles and EA Sports Games. To refine the graphics and upgrade the mechanics, EA will have to completely revamp the old engine or just create an entirely new engine to turn the Most Wanted Remake into a reality.
Licensing Issues
The biggest hurdle in remaking Need for Speed: Most Wanted is the stacks of licensing agreements tied to the original game. As the original featured a multitude of Artists and their Songs, like:
- Styles of Beyond – “Nine Thou“
- Celldweller – “Switchback“
- Saliva – “I Am the Weapon“
Today, licensing in the gaming industry has become significantly more complex and expensive. Artists now demand much higher fees to include their music in games. In the mid-2000s, licensing was more affordable due to the industry’s smaller scale. Now, nearly 20 years later, all original licenses have expired. Renewing them would require renegotiating with multiple parties, each with their own terms, conditions, and costs.
Racing Gameplay
The og was known for its arcade racing mechanics paired with the speedbreaker and Nitro’s ability. This made the game have a sense of speed as cornering was super fast, and kicking in the nitros turned the cars into literal jets. It will be very hard for EA to capture all of that once again. The new engine will feel very different in terms of its gameplay and driving mechanics.
If EA is to capture the hearts and souls of players in the remake, they will have to nail the gameplay aspect of Most Wanted Remake just like the original.
The Most Wanted Remake and Its Risk
The last 10 years, especially since the rise of Fortnite, have changed how games are made and sold. The focus has shifted to creating ongoing live service experiences rather than fully polished single-player games at launch.
EA is no different. The company is trying to re-establish itself as the innovative giant it once was, but creating a Most Wanted remake would be a massive risk. Development costs would be sky-high, and fan expectations even higher. The biggest problem? Nostalgia.
If fans can’t relate to the remake emotionally. If it fails to capture that original spark, then the entire project fails. Would it sell like the original? Would it be profitable? Most importantly, would it revive the franchise?
A Fading Dream
There’s no denying the demand. For years, fans have cried out for a Need for Speed Most Wanted Remake. The modding community is still actively working on the 2005 game. Keeping it alive with enhanced visuals, updated mechanics, and new features, even two decades later.
But a full-blown remake? It’s a dream that may never leave the garage. Fans can only hope and keep on asking for the Remake and hope for a day when EA listens to their prayers. Till then, sticking to mods is the best thing going for Need for Speed Most Wanted.
What are your thoughts on a remake of the original? Leave them in the comments below, and for the latest gaming news, game guides, and reviews, be sure to check out Driffle Blogs.
