'Need for Speed: Most Wanted' given 15 minute blowout in EA video

The episode covers aspects of Most Wanted's single-player, multiplayer,and social features, and Criterion's racing pedigree.

That means a look back at the five Burnout games and 2010's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit produced for publisher EA -- though not motorbike frenzy Redline Racer and its PC counterpart Suzuki Alstare Racing (published by Ubisoft), nor the even earlier aquatic deathrace Speedboat Attack (Telstar).

And that's fair enough, because this is first and foremost about 2012's Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Going by EA's latest showing, Criterion is seemingly justified in portraying Most Wanted as a cross between the best of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit's social challenges and licensed cars, and Burnout Paradise'sopen-world racing and exploration.

Most Wanted is marked for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC from October 30 in North America and November 2 in European regions.

Xbox premium motorsport brand Forza steps out with Forza Horizon earlier in the month on October 23, F1 2012 is looking at a September debut, while LittleBigPlanet Karting (PS3) and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed are also jostling for position on the late 2012 grid.

"PWNED : Need for Speed Most Wanted Special": youtu.be/9FwoLUZ6R5A