Which Need for Speed game introduced the 'Speedbreaker' slow-motion mechanic?

Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005) introduced the Speedbreaker slow-motion mechanic to the series. Activating it briefly slows the action, giving the player extra control during sharp turns, dangerous traffic situations and police pursuits.

Speedbreaker is especially useful when escaping Rockport’s police. Players can use the temporary slowdown to steer around spike strips, slip through roadblocks, avoid pursuing SUVs or set up a precise maneuver at high speed. The effect is limited by a meter that recharges while driving, so it rewards timing rather than constant use.

The feature is often confused with nitrous, which increases acceleration, or with the Pursuit Breaker, which is an environmental trap that can disable police vehicles. Speedbreaker is a driving-control ability, not a boost or destructible-world event. Its “bullet time” presentation became one of Most Wanted’s signature gameplay ideas and appeared in later Need for Speed titles, including Carbon and Undercover.