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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Game

Need for Speed Unbound

Need for Speed Unbound is a 2022 racing video game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Need for Speed Unbound is a 2022 racing video game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. It is part of the Need for Speed franchise and features open-world street racing set in the fictional city of Lakeshore, inspired by Chicago. The game was released on December 2, 2022, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, with an Amazon Luna version following in 2025.

Gameplay

Need for Speed Unbound is an open-world racing game centered on street racing, car customisation, police pursuits, and progression through events. The game includes both single-player and multiplayer modes, with separate progression between them.

Development and release

Criterion Games developed the game and Electronic Arts published it. It was released in December 2022 for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S, with a later release on Amazon Luna in June 2025.

Setting

The game is set in Lakeshore City, a fictional location inspired by Chicago. The city serves as the main environment for races, events, and the story campaign.

Reception

The game received generally positive to mixed reviews from critics, with aggregate scores varying by platform. Coverage highlighted its visual style, open-world racing, and online mode structure.

Key facts

  • Developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts.
  • Launched for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on December 2, 2022.
  • Open-world street-racing structure with separate single-player and multiplayer campaigns.
  • Setting is Lakeshore, a fictional city inspired by Chicago.
  • An Amazon Luna version was released in 2025.
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Canadian context

Electronic Arts is headquartered in Canada, making this a notable title for Canadian readers interested in one of the country’s major games publishers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Need for Speed Unbound?
It is a 2022 open-world racing video game in the Need for Speed series, developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts.
When was it released?
It was released on December 2, 2022, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.
What platforms is it available on?
It is available on PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S, and Amazon Luna.
Where is the game set?
It is set in Lakeshore City, a fictional city inspired by Chicago.
Does it have multiplayer?
Yes. It includes both single-player and multiplayer modes, with separate campaigns and progression.

References

  1. Steam — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1846380/Need_for_Speed_Unbound/
    Supports: Developer, publisher, genre, release date, franchise
  2. PlayStation — https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/need-for-speed-unbound/
    Supports: Separate single-player and multiplayer campaigns
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_for_Speed_Unbound
    Supports: Platforms, setting, release date, open-world racing, Amazon Luna release
  4. Electronic Arts / YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Y8XCe7F9E
    Supports: Release date, setting, racing premise, The Grand event