However, Edge gave the former version seven out of ten, saying that it "doesn't manage to regain the 'rawness' of the first installment, remaining a fun title that will undoubtedly gain admirers at the expertise of most racing afficionados." The game was heralded during its time for its intense action and beautiful graphics. Edge praised the design of the game's tracks and challenging police pursuits, but criticized the weightlessness of some cars for "failing to convince the player of any realistic dynamics at work." The game reached number 10 in the UK charts. In the US, the PC version sold 276,000 copies during 1999 alone, at an average of $25. In February 1999, the same PC version received a "Gold" sales award from the Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland (VUD), indicating sales of at least 100,000 units across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The same PC version was a finalist for Computer Games Strategy Plus 1998 "Racing Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to Motocross Madness. The staff said that the game offers "great looks, and excellent racing action." PC Gamer US likewise nominated the game as the best racing game of 1998, although it lost again to Motocross Madness. They wrote, "For pure arcade rush, it's hard to beat Electronic Arts' thrilling Need for Speed III." It won the "Personal Computer: Simulation Game of the Year" award at AIAS' Second Interactive Achievement Awards, the "Best Driving" award at Computer Gaming Worlds 1999 Premier Awards, and the "Driving Game of the Year" award at GameSpots Best & Worst of 1998 Awards. It was also nominated for Best Multiplayer Game and Best Racing Game at the 1998 CNET Gamecenter Awards, for "Console: Racing Game of the Year" at AIAS' Second Interactive Achievement Awards, for the "Best Racing Game" award at the 1998 OPM Editors' Awards, and for the "Best Racing Game of the Year" award at IGNs Best of 1998 Awards, all of which went to StarCraft, Grand Prix Legends, Gran Turismo, and Powerslide, respectively. Notes References External links 1998 video games Electronic Arts games Interactive Achievement Award winners 03 PlayStation (console) games Split-screen multiplayer games Video games about police officers Video games developed in Canada Video games scored by Rom Di Prisco Video games scored by Saki Kaskas Windows games Video games set in the United States D.I.C.E. Award for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year winners Video games developed in