Development

Different versions of the game were produced for each game platform; the Xbox

Xbox

The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...

, GameCube

Nintendo GameCube

The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...

 and PC versions were developed in EA Seattle, a subsidiary of EA Canada

EA Canada

EA Canada is a video game developer located in Burnaby, British Columbia. The development studio opened in January 1983 and is EA's largest and oldest studio...

, while the PS2 version was developed by EA Black Box in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Also, it did not feature a career mode allowing car personalization. Instead, there is a point system where cars are purchased from winning races. Points are determined by laps led and finishing position. In the "Championship" and "Hot Pursuit" trees, extra points are awarded if a medal is won, decided by the requirements. For example, a sprint (see section below) would give 5000 points if awarded the gold, 4000 for silver, and 2500 for bronze, etc. Points would give types of tracks to race on, cars, police cars, etc. If the tree is completed, extra bonus races are unlocked. These races include the hardest AI and the hardest courses. For the multiplayer mode of the PC version, players can host a game server for LAN or internet based playing. In addition to this, the GameSpy

GameSpy

GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...

 internet matchmaking system can be used to publish and locate such servers.

Reception

Hot Pursuit 2 was released to generally favorable reviews. The PS2 version scored an 88% on GameRankings, and 89 out of 100 at Metacritic. The Xbox version scored slightly lower at GameRankings, with 81% and 75 out of 100 at Metacritic. The GameCube and PC versions scores at GameRankings and Metacritic were 74% and 68 out of 100, and 73% and 73 out of 100 respectively.

IGN's David Smith praised the PS2 version, saying "Hot Pursuit 2 has its finger right on the pulse of what makes an arcade racer fun." Amer Ajami of GameSpot stated that "Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit II is easily one of the best games in the series." GameSpy praised the sensation of speed and tight controls, but went on to criticize repetitive mission objectives.

Sequel

At EA's Conference for E3 2010, it was announced and shown that a new Need for Speed, aptly called Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010 video game)

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is a BAFTA Award–winning 2010 racing video game in the Need for Speed series developed by British games developer Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts for iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. The Wii version was developed by Exient...

, was unveiled. It was developed by Criterion Games

Criterion Games

Criterion Games is a Guildford, England based British video game developer. It is best known for its work on the award-winning, multi-platform Burnout series, the PS2, Gamecube and Xbox first-person shooter Black.Criterion Software Ltd was created in 1993 to commercialise 3D...

, the developers who created the award-winning Burnout

Burnout (series)

Burnout is a series of high-speed racing games for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo GameCube game consoles. Also, for the very first time, a PC version of the latest installment in the series, Burnout Paradise, has been released...

franchise. The game was released on November 16th, 2010 in North America, and on November 19th, 2010 in Europe. The game later went on to receive critical acclaim, and has won over 25 differentially awards, from major publications.