Shift 2: Unleashed

Shift 2: Unleashed
European cover art featuring a Nissan GT-R GT1 and a modified Maserati GranTurismo S
Developer(s)Slightly Mad Studios
Straight Right (iOS)
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Producer(s)Marcus Nilsson
Composer(s)Heavy Melody Music
Ramin Djawadi
Troels Folmann
Stephen Baysted
Mick Gordon
Mike Reagan
SeriesNeed for Speed
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
iOS
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows, PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360
iOS
  • WW: August 4, 2011
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Shift 2: Unleashed (also known as Need for Speed: Shift 2 – Unleashed) is a racing video game, the seventeenth installment of the Need for Speed series. It was developed by Slightly Mad Studios and published by Electronic Arts. The game serves as a direct sequel to Need for Speed: Shift and expands on many aspects that were introduced in the original.[3][4] Shift 2: Unleashed was released worldwide during March and April 2011.[2][1]

Shift 2: Unleashed features over 145 cars from more than 37 manufacturers and over 36 different tracks, which players can compete in several types of races.[5][6] Players can also compete online.[7][8] The game also features three new main additions: an in-helmet camera, night-time racing and the Autolog feature introduced with Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.[9]

As of 2021, download versions of the game are no longer available for purchase in any online stores, and online play was shut down on September 1.[10][11] The non-download boxed EA DVD versions of the game can still be purchased from some online stores until supply runs out.

  1. ^ a b c "Shift 2: Unleashed release date slips a week". CVG. February 18, 2011. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED Launch Date Announced". Needforspeed. January 13, 2011. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  3. ^ "EA's Engine Roar with Shift 2 Unleashed" (Press release). Electronic Arts. November 16, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  4. ^ "Electronic Arts Reports Q1 FY11 Financial Result" (Press release). Electronic Arts. August 3, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  5. ^ "Cars". Needforspeed.com. January 27, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  6. ^ "Tracks". Needforspeed.com. January 27, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2011. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  7. ^ "Shift 2 Unleashed Hands-on". GameSpot.com. November 29, 2010. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  8. ^ "Shift 2 Unleashed – Ignition Interview". GameTrailers.com. November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  9. ^ "Shift 2 Unleashed". Needforspeed.com. November 16, 2010. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  10. ^ EA_David (May 31, 2021). "An-announcement-about-some-older-NFS-titles". EA Answers HQ. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  11. ^ Max_Joker (May 31, 2021). "Sun is setting on some older NFS titles – it's not you, it's us". r/needforspeed. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2021.