Need for Speed II: SE

Need for Speed II: Special Edition is a 1997 racing game that takes the original formula and adds more cars, more tracks, and even more opportunities to discover that driving at terrifying speeds is apparently a perfectly acceptable recreational activity. The Special Edition includes additional content and improvements, giving players a broader selection of exotic vehicles and locations in which to abuse the laws of traffic. The appeal lies in the combination of accessible arcade racing and the fantasy of driving cars most people would never be allowed to touch, let alone launch into a corner at full speed. The racing is fast, colorful, and satisfyingly dramatic, with every race offering the possibility of a glorious victory or an expensive-looking crash. Need for Speed II SE remains a fine example of 1990s racing excess: beautiful cars, impossible speeds, and absolutely no concern for insurance premiums.