Need for Speed: High Stakes is a racing game where players race exotic cars on various tracks set in North America and Europe.[1] The game allows one or two players to race against computer-controlled opponents or compete against each other via split-screen.[2] Cars are grouped into categories and range from the more affordable performance models such as the BMW Z3 and the Chevrolet Camaro to the more exotic sport cars such as the Ferrari F50 and the McLaren F1.[3] Cars can take damage when colliding with objects, affecting their appearance and performance.[1] Each track has multiple variants, including the direction, which can be forward or backward, and a mirror mode, which reverses curves left-to-right and right-to-left. Races can take place at night or during the day and may include weather conditions.[4]
High Stakes features several game modes, which include Single Race, Hot Pursuit, Tournament, Knockout, and High Stakes.[1][4] Single Race is a customizable mode where players can participate in a single race. Options include the car and track selection, and the number and skill level of computer-controlled opponents.[2] Hot Pursuit is a single race mode that includes police pursuits attempting to stop racers who abuse speed limits.[5] Police pursuits have the ability to request back-up, roadblocks, and spike strips if necessary.[6] Players can choose to control either the racers or the pursuits.[3] If there are two players, both can team up as pursuits attempting to stop computer-controlled racers or play as racers evading computer-controlled pursuits.[5] It is also possible for one player to control a racer while another tries to stop them as a pursuit.[6]