The graphics still look sufficient enough to at least pass today's standards but they aren't as impressive as they once were.
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit was graphically stunning in 2010 and the Nintendo Switch version doesn't look like it has improved too much from the PS3 and Xbox 360 models. However, given that there is no real levelled matchmaking or restrictions on cars that can be picked it is highly advised to unlock some of the faster vehicles before participating in online matches. Nonetheless there is a rather bustling online mode of races, including cross-play, where up to 8 racers can duke it out to take the top spot. Strangely, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered lacks a local multiplayer function, which is quite a shame given the two different mechanics of the police interceptors vs street racers. EA was also so confident in Autolog that the developer even used it in their marketing campaign for the launch of this remaster, including a great advert called "5:10", which illustrates the torment of being beaten by friends. Even in 2010 it wasn't anything particularly revolutionary but admittedly it does serve a purpose by competitively motivating players to beat the best times set by a friend. This feature feels somewhat basic by today's standards. Speaking of beating certain times, Autolog mode is an online leaderboard consisting of the fastest times set on each course from any friends that are also playing Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered. There is a number of different styled missions to complete throughout the Career mode but ultimately distinguishing the difference between them is hard when the main objective is always to finish in first place or beat a track in a certain time. Players are also armed with a few of these weapons to keep the police - and other racers - off their tail and are actively encouraged to attack the police vehicles to gain Bounty points. Incredibly expensive sports cars aren't the only thing in the SCPD's arsenal: they are also equipped with rear-ended spike strips, targeted lock on EMPs and a few other obstacles such as road-blocks and attack helicopters.
What is great about this is that the police force also uses these cars to combat the racers throughout the career mode, meaning that the Seacrest County Police Department has an exorbitant budget to crack down on these street racing thugs with their very own Lamborghinis and Maseratis. There are over 70 licensed cars to unlock and use, both in career mode and online.
Seldom does a race go by without unlocking a new car, which is great considering there is a large range of licensed cars to choose from, including the Aston Martin V12 Vantage to a McLaren MP4-12C. These Bounty points are added towards the player's Wanted Level which unlocks cars, races and more intense police chases. Incredibly confusing and annoying naming conventions aside, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered puts an emphasis on living life on the edge by rewarding dangerous driving, unlocking shortcuts and taking the lead with Bounty points. Titles boasting this feature include 2005's Need for Speed: Most Wanted, which is different from the remake of Need for Speed: Most Wanted in 2012. In these titles, there were police chases throughout certain races, and this mechanic has been used in other games in the Need for Speed franchise. Hot Pursuit doesn't just focus on the point-to-point racing but includes a mechanic seen in previous Need for Speed titles, such as 1998's Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit and 2002's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2. Add in weather effects and there is a good variety to be had in the races.
The career mode takes place in the fictional area of Seacrest County where the terrain can vary from snowy mountains to city landscapes and rural roads.
It is easy to see that career mode is the meat and bones of the offline modes for Hot Pursuit Remastered, putting an emphasis on raising the Bounty profile of the player and unlocking new cars along the way. Technicalities aside, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is a simple point-to-point racer with a rudimentary career mode, especially for the likes of the modern era.
Never fear, though this alternative Switch version is much better. Therefore, those reminiscing on the glory days of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit for the Nintendo Wii might be left disappointed. However, Nintendo Wii owners got something vastly different compared to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 counterparts, as many Wii games often saw demakes or completely different games altogether despite sharing a title with the rival console versions. Miffed by that intro? Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is, as the title correctly illustrates, a remaster of the hotly acclaimed 2010 arcade style racing game.