Need for Speed: High Stakes (PC) Windows

This is the PC version of High Stakes that came out a few months after the PS1 release. It has almost double the content of the original game along with the technically better graphics of being a PC game. There are 25 cars instead of 19 and 9 more tracks compared to the PS1 version. There are also a lot more events and challenges as well.

Personally, I prefer the PS1 version since even though this game has technically better graphics the PS1 version looks better visually and aesthetically with graphic effects that suit the game better and a better looking menu ui than this one. But because of the above mentioned content differences this game is more or less a deluxe version of it. If it had better physics and controls than it does then it would be the definitive version of the game, but the physics in this are kind of terrible and it's silly seeing opponent cars slide like on ice along the road unrealistically. The ice and rain also don't affect the gameplay at all to the degree that it does in the PS1 version, which is also very disappointing. The headlight beams for the cars also look pretty underwhelming and ruin the experience of the nighttime driving compared to how epic it was in the PS1 port.

This download uses the MagiPack fixed repack of the game and works fine on Windows 10/11. I'm not sure what all the fixes were. They were listed in the installer but not in a readme text. The game manual is included in the folder, and it would probably help a bit to explain some controls and options in the game if you read through it. config.exe is falsely accused of being malware in Windows Defender, but it's not. (You can use Virus Total to check it if you don't believe me)

To run the game just launch from nfs4.exe. Different graphics and rendering options can be configured using either config.exe or SetupMP.exe The game can be played with a controller, but I wasn't able to figure out how to get vibration to work even though there's an option for it in the game settings.

I know I pretty much downed this game a bunch, but Need for Speed: High Stakes for PS1 is my favorite game in the series and one of the best looking PS1 games. This game is a nice alternative way to play it and the extra tracks and cars are nice. This would be much better if someone made a mod that made the physics and controls feel like the PS1 port.