Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012)

Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Developer: Criterion Games Publisher: Electronic Arts Platform: Windows Released in JP: November 15, 2012 Released in US: October 30, 2012 Released in EU: November 2, 2012 Released in AU: November 1, 2012 This game has unused graphics. This game has unused cinematics. This game has unused text. This game has revisional differences.

To do: Check if these exist in the Xbox 360, PS3, PlayStation Vita and Wii U versions, and add images.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted was the 19th game overall in the Need for Speed series and the second NFS game developed by former Burnout developer Criterion. Despite critical praise, this game was hated by many NFS fans, due to the fact that it's almost completely unrelated to the original Most Wanted and plays more like Burnout Paradise.

DreamShot

DreamShot was a feature from Hot Pursuit 2010, which was supposed to return here but cut late in development. Graphics remain in game files, and messing with menu values can make them viewable in-game, and it even creates a DreamShot folder in your documents.

Removed Songs

• Similar to Hot Pursuit 2010, the song "Firestarter" by The Prodigy was featured in the E3 trailer but is not featured in the final game. Text files still mention this song, though.
• Another cut song mentioned in text files is Hot Action Cop's "Fever for the Flava", the song from Hot Pursuit 2.

Removed Cars

According to text files, these cars were removed during development:

Subaru Impreza WRX STi (non-Cosworth version)
BMW M3 E46
Aston Martin DB9
BMW M1

Renders also show a C2 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the BMW M3 GTR. Both were removed in the final game, however, the M3 was brought back in the NFS Heroes DLC.

Removed Manufacturers

According to game files, the manufacturers of Toyota, Hummer, and Jeep were cut. Toyota only has a single line of text, however, Hummer and Jeep have car switch videos in the game files.

Unused Menu Video

Hidden in video files is a rather strange menu video, showing a parked BMW M3. Seems to have been used as a placeholder in early development.

Garages

According to text files, you were supposed to have garages in early versions of the game.

GARAGE
Choose Garage
Selected Garage: {Map.CurrentSafeHouseName}
Garage {Widget.LeftMenu.Items[#].PoiData.UserId(INT)}
{Controls.ButtonPrompt["AUTOLOG_ACCEPT"]} LEAVE GARAGE
LEAVE GARAGE
{Controls.ButtonPrompt["AUTOLOG_ACCEPT"]} ENTER GARAGE
NUMBER OF GARAGES
GARAGE {Controls.ButtonPrompt["AUTOLOG_ALT"]}

Most Wanted Tech

Presumably, these were player weapons that were cut. Lots of text files metion these.

Be first to the finish of this multiple lap race against several brutal and
well equipped opponents.<lf><lf>Use driving skill and tactical use of tech 
to deal with any Police, Opponents, or Traffic that get in your way.

The Most Wanted Car has been identified as the Mitsubishi Lancer EVOLUTION X 
and he will most likely be found driving near the Power Plant.<lf><lf>Watch
out for his Most Wanted Tech, Black Ice TPP-327, a thermal plastic 
polymer which substantially reduces the friction of any surface or tyre
that comes into contact with it.<lf><lf>If you lose sight of him you may 
be able to use your Thermal Vision to track his freshly laid tyre tracks.

Tech

Most Wanted Tech

Ranking System

Text files indicate that the game had a ranking system similar to its predecessor, Hot Pursuit.

PROFESSOR
PROFESSOR II
PROFESSOR I
KING OF THE ROAD
KING OF THE ROAD II
KING OF THE ROAD I
CO-DRIVER
SPEED FREAK
SPEED FREAK II
SPEED FREAK I
ROAD HOG
ROAD HOG II
ROAD HOG I
TEST DRIVER
TEST DRIVER II
TEST DRIVER I

Wii U Revisional Differences

Due to being released about five months after the initial console releases, the Wii U version has some changes compared to its counterparts on other consoles.

• Title changed to Need for Speed: Most Wanted U
• Exclusive Nintendo easter eggs added
• "Disrupt Cops", a Wii U exclusive feature which causes cops to lose control in a pursuit
• Ability to change cars and car colors on the spot
• Ability to change time of day
• Option to turn traffic on or off
• Every car fitted with "Boost U", the Wii U version of Burn Nitrous, as standard
• The Ultimate Speed Pack is pre-installed in the Wii U version
• Player icons on the minimap changed from arrows to cars