Which Need for Speed game was the first to include licensed real-world cars?

The Need for Speed (1994) was the first Need for Speed game to include licensed real-world cars. Originally released for the 3DO, it was developed with input from Road & Track magazine to make its vehicles, handling, sounds and specifications feel authentic.

The game featured eight licensed sports cars, including the Ferrari 512 TR, Lamborghini Diablo, Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, Dodge Viper RT/10, Toyota Supra Turbo and Acura NSX. Each car was presented with detailed specifications, interior and exterior imagery, commentary and video material, giving the game a distinctive automotive-magazine feel.

A common mix-up is to credit Need for Speed: Underground because it became famous for its large collection of customizable licensed cars. Underground was important for tuning culture and import-car customization, but it arrived nearly a decade later. The original 1994 game established the franchise’s central appeal: driving recognizable performance cars in races that combined arcade excitement with an emphasis on realism.