http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/30/ea-unveils-new-need-for-speed-trio/

It seems EA's long-idling racing franchise isn't destined for the scrap heap at all, as the publisher has unveiled three new Need for Speed titles across several platforms. In an interview with Gamespot, EA's veep of marketing, Kevin Munro, insists that "the new brand strategy around three specific genres will keep the game fresh and players entertained." This refreshing and oh-so-entertaining trio of titles includes:

• Need for Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, PSP) -- A "hardcore racing simulation" overseen by Black Box executive producer Michael Mann, and Patrick Soderlund, the co-founder of DICE and current senior vice president of EA Games Europe. External developer Slightly Mad Studios will be responsible for putting a realistic spin on the franchise.
• Need for Speed: Nitro (Wii, DS) -- As you might expect, this one will feature a "unique visual style," courtesy of EA Montreal. Nitro promises to take full advantage of the unique controls on offer for both platforms, but without sacrificing depth. According to Munro, "We do not want to fall into the trap of creating a 'Need for Speed Lite.'"
• Need for Speed: World Online (PC) -- Jointly developed by Black Box and EA Shanghai, this free-to-play online racer is set to launch in Asia this Summer, with a North American release slated for next Winter.

While it was obvious that they wouldn't can it, seems like NFS wasn't doing as they liked and changed it. I wonder if now the games will be worth it, haven't played a good NFS in ages.

Judging from the descriptions, I'm most interested in the Need For Speed: Nitro. It seems to be the one that is sticking to what the series was known for. Between Gran Turisimo, Forza, and Race Pro; I don't see how EA can compete in the simulation segment of the racing genre. Need Fore Speed: Shift topping any of the aforementioned titled would take me by great surprise personally.

interesting news...

NFS died after hot pursuit 2. We can bury it now.

I hope they put real effort into Nitro. The Wii could do with a quality arcade racer (that isn't a Mario Kart clone) built for the Wii. I wouldn't expect it to sell like Mario Kart, but it could certainly fill a large void in the market.

I agree with the concept. Interested to see how it is executed.

Yeah, I'd say Hot Pursuit 2 was the last very good NFS. If they could put out another one like that on all systems, then I'd be in line for it on day one. Otherwise, keep the simulation to Gran Turismo and other franchises.

The Underground games were pretty good (though I haven't played them much, only for a couple of hours), and Most Wanted played well (it suffered for an excruciatingly horrible soundtrack, one of the worst in gaming, but in gameplay it was a pretty good game)

And for me Hot Pursuit 2 sucked, it was very bad

Agree with 2nd post (Requiem), EA has nothing to offer the simulation market with the arcade racers they've been regurcitating over 12 years or so.
Seems to me that instead of a piece of shit, we're being offered three small pieces of turd, the evil is breeding...
NFS should either go back to its roots and become fun again rather than a hip-hop, bling bling, candy coat painting fest or just plain die already.

Great idea. It seems all these games that come out on EVERY platform are just crap.

A game focusing on awesome graphics (PS360, PC PSP)

A game focusing on Awesome gameplay (Wii, DS)

and NO PS2 version I see?

I think what they're doing shows they want to put out decent quality NFS games now.