Need for Speed is a racing video game franchise published by Electronic Arts and currently developed by Criterion Games, the developers of Burnout. The series generally centers around illicit street racing and tasks players to complete various types of races while evading the local law enforcement in police pursuits.

The series is one of EA’s oldest franchises not under their EA Sports brand. The series released its first title, The Need for Speed, in 1994.

The series has been overseen and had games developed by multiple notable teams over the years including EA Canada, EA Black Box, Slightly Mad Studios, and Ghost Games.

The franchise has been critically well-received and is one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, selling over 150 million copies of games. Due to its strong sales, the franchise has expanded into other forms of media including a film adaptation and licensed Hot Wheels toys.