Diverse play modes separate Need for Speed: High Stakes from standard driving computer games. Though single races and tournaments across several tracks are readily available, players can also participate in the inventive Hot Pursuit mode, where you flee from police or try to catch speeders, as well as a career game.

In the career game, drivers begin with enough cash to buy a low-end sports car. Prize money earned in races can be spent on repairs, performance upgrades, or a hotter car. High Stakes contains over twenty exotic cars, including the BMW Z3, Lamborghini Diablo SV, Porsche 911 Turbo, and Ferrari F50. Additional dream machines are available at Electronic Arts' Web site. If you don't have the patience to save up for a new car, you can choose the ultimate high stakes race: winner takes all, including the opponent's car.

With cutting-edge graphics and sound, Need for Speed: High Stakes reigns as the current leader in arcade racing. Whether you're a NFS veteran or new to the series, Need for Speed: High Stakes's polished gameplay, sleek design, and plentiful play options should keep you on the open road for quite awhile. --Doug Radcliffe

Pros:

• Incredible graphics and lightning-fast engine provide true sense of speed
• New career mode offers role-playing-like experience
• Additional cars and tracks can be downloaded from Electronic Arts
• Damage modeling lets you bang up that beautiful Lamborghini

• Not a revolutionary upgrade to Need for Speed III