GAME INFORMATION:
I felt so strongly that this was a decent game that I even deviated from the normal color scheme of blue/white here at Sim Cyberworld to bring you the Need For Speed 3 pages. Why? Because I absolutely love Need For Speed 3 !!!
In what other racing game can you play both sides of the law? In hot pursuit mode you can listen to police radio chatter while staying one step ahead of Johnny Law or as the law use radar, dispatchers and roadblocks to track down speeders.
Graphically Need For Speed 3 is very good as well with Glide and D3D support as well as a software rendered mode. And who can complain about the special effects EA has given us such as rain, lightening, mud, snow, smoke, leaves, headlights, ice and more.
The thing though that makes Need For Speed 3 a game and not a true simulation is the inability to setup the car. You basically have the choice between a stock and a non-stock setup. Not much you can actually do to the car to tweak it's performance. Actually very little you can do to tweak it's performance. Need For Speed 3, like it's predecessor NFS 2 seems to have it's setups geared towards a few pre-canned setup types. Which really lends to the simplicity of the game.
But despite the lack of setup in NFS3, driving the courses are still where the fun comes in. And with the 8 different tracks and the great special effects along with the half million dollar toys you are abusing the fun factor is definately there as is the challenge.
Overall, it's a great change of pace from the traditional simulations such as Nascar 2 and Indy Car Racing. Highly recommended if you want to try something a bit different for awhile.
OTHER FEATURES: (from Electronic Arts)
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Race on Both Sides of the Law with Hot Pursuit mode*
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Listen in on police radio chatter to stay a step ahead of the law
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Use radar, dispatchers, and roadblocks to track down
speeders.
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Connect and Compete
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Point-and-click hook up via LAN, modem, or serial cable
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Multiplayer racing in all game modes including split-screen
on a single machine
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Download Free Cars
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Start with the world's most spirited performance cars
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Add to your personal showroom from the NFS3 site
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Race on Eight Challenging Tracks with exotic real-world environments to test your skills
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Stunning Special Effects
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Blowing leaves, rain, lightning, mud splashes, snow, fog, working headlights, smoke from burning rubber, more
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3D Accelerated Graphics – Glide and D3D support as well as a software rendered mode
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: (From EA Sports)
Minimum Requirements:
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Operating System: Windows 95/98
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CPU Type & Speed: 166 MHz Pentium class processor or compatible (Intel, Cyrix, AMD) or 133 MHz Pentium class processor with graphics acceleration card.
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Hard Drive Space: 90MB free space for game plus space for saved games(additional space required for DirectX installation)
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CD-Rom Speed: 4x CD-ROM drive (600KB/second transfer rate) with
Windows 95/98 CD-Rom driver
Other Needs:
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High Color (65,536 color) capable 1MB PCI video card with DirectDraw compatible driver
Supported Input Devices:
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Any DirectInput compatible gaming devices supported by Windows 95/98, including force feedback.
Required for Multiplayer:
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Network (2-8 players): 200 MHz CPU or faster, IPX compliant network, 1 CD per computer unless using Remote install option
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Modem (2 player): Windows 95/98 supported 28800bps or faster modem. High speed serial port (16550 UART)
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Serial Play (2 player): Null modem cable; High speed serial port (16550 UART)
Recommended:
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CPU Type & Speed: Pentium 200 MHz Pentium class processor or
compatible (Intel, Cyrix, AMD) Hard Drive Space: 110MB free space for game plus space for saved games.
Other:
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3Dfx graphics accelerator card
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16-bit sound card with DirectX compatible sound driver
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Any DirectInput compatible gaming devices supported by Windows 95/98, including force feedback.
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32-bit Window 95/98 CD-Rom driver
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AGP or at least 8MB on-card memory (12MB for Voodoo2) required for dash boards in 3D accelerated mode
CARS AVAILABLE
One of the best things about Need For Speed 3 are the cars !!! Where else can you abuse a $130,000 Astin Martin capable of reaching speeds of 165mph? And all in the name of winning a race. The collection of exotic sports cars in Need For Speed 3 is unlike any other in the gaming world. Here you will find cars such as:
THE TRACKS
Need for Speed offers 8 different tracks each in a unique setting. Although it is possible to learn what to expect, the collection of icy roads, dust, obstacles and other stuff thrown at you make Need For Speed 3 a good challenge. Here are the 8 tracks that come with Need for Speed 3:
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Hometown - road course set in a rural setting. Challenging course.
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Redrock Ridge - a road course set in dusty obstacle filled canyon.
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Atlantica - a street course modeled after Monaco.
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Rocky Pass - a road course set in the mountains.
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Country Woods - One of the best courses you will drive.
Challenging backroads will keep you on your toes.
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Lost Canyons - A road course that takes you from ground zero
to the floor of a canyon in just seconds. Great course !!!
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Aquatica - a street course along the coastline that requires
some good skill behind the wheel.
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Summit - the ultimate road course.
