The third major installment in the Need for Speed series has been heralded during its time for its intense action and beautiful graphics, even by the late 1990s (1998-2000) standards, even more so than the first two installments. The gameplay, unlike newer titles, is fun. Especially in PS1 version where cops using loudspeakers are hilarious. It actually introduced the concept of police pursuits as a part of the gameplay, and became a staple of NFS titles. In addition you can play either as a racer or a cop. Hot Pursuit's pursuit system has been significantly improved in terms of AI and police tactics over the first Need for Speed.
This game, and its sequel Need for Speed High Stakes, features manual transmission that provides better handling than automatic transmission (PC release only). Some cars (like Corvette C5 and DB7) even have different gear numbers under different transmission corresponding to their real life production lineups. Car tuning is introduced, which provides improvements for speed and handling.
Need for Speed fans and gamers have now been introduced for the first time to the incredible Lamborghini Diablo SV (especially the standard Giallo [yellow] SV with black SV logo vinyls), the underrated successor to the iconic Lamborghini Countach (which is also in the game). Since its introduction, the Diablo SV has become an icon of the franchise, with only the BMW M3 GTR (E46) from Most Wanted becoming more iconic.
This is also one of the earliest PC games to have official DLC, with cars like the Spectre R42, the Ferrari 456 M GT, and the Lister Storm joining the roster. Better yet, they're all free. There are also lots of nice mods for the PC version you can download online.
Like Need for Speed II, there are interactive soundtracks specifically for each track. The bonus track, the cyberpunk-styled Empire City, is a worthy prize for beating Knockout mode. There are even awesome hidden Easter egg tracks, but the PC version lacks the PlayStation version's Easter egg tracks, and there is no way of adding new tracks to the game aside from modding the existing nine tracks.
There are other things that need to be remembered, however, since not everything makes this game easy.
The limit on the number of drivable vehicles there can be in the PC version is very hard, limiting modding potential. Any more than 50 cars will cause the game to crash upon booting the game. If you want to drive more than that, you will have to remove some of the mod or DLC cars you've added to the game.
In the PS1 release, there is a hidden gimmick that if you have finished more than about 60%-70% of the race consecutively without getting busted (from the start or the last time you get busted), your remaining tickets will reduce to 1 unconditionally. It can be very confusing to play if one doesn't know about this gimmick. Its sequel, Need for Speed: High Stakes, fully inherited this feature and is still hidden. Not to mention the crazy rubberbanding in PS1 release.
There is an unfinished track in PS1 version which is the alternate route of Empire City. It is confusing why developers scrapped this track. Certainly not for time constraints because they have time to make Easter egg tracks mentioned above.
A hot, hot, hot pursuit indeed!