Need for Speed Most Wanted pre-order details revealed

With every big new AAA game release, publishers push extremely hard to convince interested gamers to plop down a pre-order. It helps them figure out what the demand is for the title, and it psychologically makes you more likely to fully invest in the full game when it releases.

This puts gamers in the power position. They want our pre-orders and they're willing to shell out the goods to get them. So we get to sit back, relax and say, "show us what you've got." Today, EA is showing us what they've got with their pre-order bonuses for Need for Speed: Most Wanted. For starters, pre-ordering will get you an upgrade to the Limited Edition for free. The limited edition includes:

-Four hours of Double Speed Points: Players earn double speed points throughout the first four hours of multiplayer.
-2012 Porsche 911 Carerra S: Optimized aerodynamic body that reduces drag for maximum speed and Nitrous Burn, delivering efficient and sustained speed boosts.

-Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale: A Race Pack Powertrain tuned for increased power and the impact protection modification to provide increased stability and strength when driving at breakneck speeds

Furthermore, if you pre-order at Origin or at (currently unnamed) select retailers then you'll also receive:

-Speed Pack: The Caterham Superlight R500 in the exclusive Satin Black livery, featuring the Track Tyres modification for improved road handling, and the Lightweight Chassis modification allowing players to reach mesmerizing speeds.
-Strike Pack: The Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series in the exclusive Satin Black livery, featuring the Power Pack Powertrain modification for an engine tuned for torque, acceleratio,n and the ability to reach breakneck speeds, and the Re-inflating Tyres [sic] modification making it easier to survive and counter rivals’ attempts to slow players down.

-Power Pack: The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in the exclusive Satin Black livery, featuring the Reinforced Chassis modification for taking increased damage, and the powerful and violent Nitrous Dump modification for making tight jumps and powered up takedowns.

What do you think? Has EA made a compelling enough case for your pre-order dollars? If you need more convincing, you can also check out the rest of our NFS Most Wanted coverage.

Andrew Groen

Andrew is a freelance video game journalist, writing for sites like Wired and GamesRadar. Andrew has also written a book called EMPIRES OF EVE: A History of the Great Wars of EVE Online.