History VideoGame / NeedForSpeedShift

* ObviousBeta: The Xbox 360 version of ''Shift'' [[http://web.archive.org/web/20091122051957/http://freakbits.com/xbox-360-crashes-accessing-playstation-store-0927 tried to access the PlayStation Store.]]

* RareVehicles: ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' features the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0, which had a grand total of 52 units made between late 1973 and 1975.[[note]]Its predecessor, the Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8, which is only slightly less rare (with 55 units built in 1973), would be featured in Ghost Games entries from 2015 reboot to ''Heat''.[[/note]]

[[JustForFun/TheOneWith The ones]] where ''NFS'' goes legitimate... [[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedProStreet again]].

* SpiritualSuccessor: ''VideoGame/ProjectCARS'' to ''Shift 2: Unleashed''. Both made by Slightly Mad Studios.

[[JustForFun/TheOneWith The ones]] where ''NFS'' goes legitimate... again.\\\

[[JustForFun/TheOneWith The one]] where ''NFS'' goes legitimate... again.\\\

*** Speaking of other drivers, did we mention there is an [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2022_05_05_at_111414_am.png opponent]] named '''[[WesternAnimation/{{Jimmy Neutron|BoyGenius}}'''?

* ArtisticLicenseCars: In ''Shift 2'', the game featured the "Honda [=S2000 CR=]", but it clearly uses the [=AP1=] model. Same goes for the Lancer Evo IX where in both games claim that it's an "MR-edition" despite the fact it has the looks and the performance of an Evo IX FQ-300.

** In certain events in ''Shift'', the other drivers are called Isabel Diaz, Karol Monroe, Nate Denver, Gavin May or Hendrik Dehn amongst others, names you encountered in earlier ''NFS'' games.
*** Speaking of other drivers, did we mention there is an [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2022_05_05_at_111414_am.png opponent]] named '''[[WesternAnimation/JimmyNeutronBoyGenius Jimmy Neutron]]'''?

* MissionPackSequel: ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' is basically almost every content from the ''Shift'', just with added new cars, tracks and features.

* LawyerFriendlyCameo: The Riviera track's Monte Grande layout blatantly resembles the Circuit de Monaco. Possibly to avoid sparking tensions from UsefulNotes/FormulaOne.

* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: The Riviera track's Monte Grande layout blatanly resembles the Circuit de Monaco.

* AbsurdlyLowLevelCap: Since ''Shift's'' maximum level is 50, ''Shift 2'' dumbs down to level 20 as the maximum cap. Any XP beyond that threshold will not be added any further.
* AnachronismStew: Since ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' announced the Legends Pack, it includes tracks from the '80s and earlier and it has no problem bringing a modern car to it. It can result in such weird sightings as bringing an SLS AMG to Hockenheimring 1982 or even bringing a Bugatti Veyron or a [=GT1=] car around the 1958 version of Monza.

* InNameOnly: The PSP version of ''Shift'' is odd in that it has nothing to do with the console versions. If anything, it has more in common with ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedProStreet ProStreet]]'' (as its career mode closely mimicks what ''[=ProStreet=]'' had, even featuring alternate versions of its Street Kings[[note]]Although several Street Kings and other [=ProStreet=] and Most Wanted drivers do appear in the main version of ''Shift'', they appear as random opponents there.[[/note]]) and ''[[VideoGame/{{Burnout}} Burnout Dominator]]'', of all things (as it was developed by the same team, it runs on the same engine, and even recycles a few assets and mechanics).[[note]]Ironically, the PSP version of ''[=ProStreet=]'' was the inverse of this, having plain career mode which had no plot at all, as opposed to the console and NDS versions' story mode.[[/note]]

* BoringButPractical: Take any stock Tier 1/D-Class car on any track and you can attain a 100% Best line and master all corners with ease. Mastering corners will be marked permanently and will carry on on the next race on the same track.

* InNameOnly: The PSP version of ''Shift'' is odd in that it has nothing to do with the console versions. If anything, it has more in common with ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedProStreet ProStreet]]'' (as its career mode closely mimicks what ''[=ProStreet=]'' had, even featuring alternate versions of its Street Kings[[note]]Although several Street Kings and other [=ProStreet=] drivers do appear in the main version of ''Shift'', they appear as random opponents there.[[/note]]) and ''[[VideoGame/{{Burnout}} Burnout Dominator]]'', of all things (as it was developed by the same team, it runs on the same engine, and even recycles a few assets and mechanics).[[note]]Ironically, the PSP version of ''[=ProStreet=]'' was the inverse of this, having plain career mode which had no plot at all, as opposed to the console and NDS versions' story mode.[[/note]]

* VillainProtagonist: Averted here, as these games are focused on sanctioned track-racing, as opponsed to the illegal street-racing usually featured in other installments.

* InNameOnly: The PSP version of ''Shift'' is odd in that it has nothing to do with the console versions. If anything, it has more in common with ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedProStreet ProStreet]]'' (as its career mode closely mimicks what ''[=ProStreet=]'' had, even featuring alternate versions of its Street Kings) and ''[[VideoGame/{{Burnout}} Burnout Dominator]]'', of all things (as it was developed by the same team, it runs on the same engine, and even recycles a few assets and mechanics).[[note]]Ironically, the PSP version of ''[=ProStreet=]'' was the inverse of this, having plain career mode which had no plot at all, as opposed to the console and NDS versions' story mode.[[/note]]

* RiceBurner: Chris Rado's Scion tC AWD. Though it's justifiable that it's a time attack car. The Twins Turbo Motorsport Viper GTS counts as well.

* VideoGameCrueltyPunishment: You cannot cut the track, because doing so will lead to having your lap time deleted and repeated infraction could lead to disqualification.

* AnachronismStew: Since ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' announced the Legends Pack, it includes tracks from the '80s and earlier and it has no problem bringing a modern car to it. It can result in such weird sightings as bringing an SLS AMG to Hockenheimring 1982 or even bringing a Bugatti Veyorn or a [=GT1=] car around the 1958 version of Monza.

Following the commercial success of ''Shift'' (especially in comparison to its predecessor, ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedUndercover Undercover]]''), EA green-lit a sequel,
''Shift 2: Unleashed'', which became noted for its unusual lack of the series' name in the title (although fans still call it ''Need for Speed: Shift 2 – Unleashed'', as it still used the logo the franchise used at the time) and its handling model being massively expanded from the first ''Shift''.

*** The [=E46=] [=M3=] bares a striking resemblance to the highly-known [=M3=] GTR, where as the [=C6=] Corvette [=Z06=] strongly resembles the C6.R. Not to mention the Ford GT's Works conversion resembles its GT3 counterpart.
*** Finally, the Volkswagen Scirocco's Works conversion takes nods to its Nürburgring GT24 variant.

* DarkerAndEdgier: In contrast of the LighterAndSofter below, ''Shift 2'' takes a dark and gritty step further than the former. When you start the game, you are greeted with an introduction of a very still but disturbing scene of a brutal car crash during a night race. And not to mention night races alone are also introduced in the game which also adds up to the factor.

* LighterAndSofter: Downplayed in that, in comparison to ''Undercover'', which is the closest a ''Need for Speed'' game plot has come to being a straight-up action movie, ''Shift'' doesn't feature a plot at all, being simply a racing simulator.

* ArtisticLicenseCars: In ''Shift 2'', the game featured the "Honda [=S2000 CR=]", but it clearly uses the [=AP1=] model.

* InterfaceScrew: Damaging your car will cause the screen to go black and white.

* AnachronismStew: Since ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' announced the Legends Pack, it includes tracks from the '80s and earlier and it has no problem bringing a modern car to it. It can result in such weird sightings as bringing an SLS AMG to Hockenheimring 1982.

* HardModePerks: ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' rewards more cash for races depending on the difficulty.

* ShoutOut: In certain events in ''Shift'', the other drivers are called Isabel Diaz, Karol Monroe, Nate Denver, Gavin May or Hendrik Dehn amongst others, names you encountered in earlier ''NFS'' games.

* VersionExclusiveContent: The Xbox 360 release of ''Shift'' adds the [[DownloadableContent Ferrari Racing Pack]] featuring 10 Ferrari cars such as the FXX, 3 variants of the [=F430=] and the [=F50=] GT. It also counts as TheBusCameBack due to Ferrari itself returning since [[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedHotPursuit ''Hot Pursuit 2'']] to this console-exclusive game.