Need For Speed: High Stakes Hints

Click the photo mini-game:
Select the "Credits" icon after the game loads and use the option to change the display from text to photographs. Repeatedly click on the pictures as they appear until a "Click The Photo" mini-game begins.

Fireworks:
Set the system date to July 4th to view fireworks during the game.


Hint: Quick money:
Enter career mode, buy a car, then go to the circuit selection screen. Choose any circuit and enter the first race. When you get into the first race, press [Esc] to pause game play. Click on "Quit", then "Main Menu". The game will ask if you want to forfeit the race. Answer "Yes
and you will return to the main menu. Do this for the three races in the circuit, and you will gain $100 at the end. This is a quick and easy way to gain money.


When you complete the European tour, go to the High Stakes tour and choose the Knock-Out race. You will have to pay $3,500 to enter the race. When you start the actual race, press [Esc] and quit to the main menu. The game will say that you lost the race and give you $4,000 as a reward for coming in last.


Hint: Drive Semi In knockout mode:
In split screen arcade, go to knockout mode, then make one of the human players lose the knockout race. The human player that loses will be in the next race driving a semi.

Hint: Driving the cars well:
In order to do well in the game, you need to know how your particular car drives. For example, to get a BMW Z3 or a Mercedes SLK good into a turn, it is best to brake in front of the turn rather in the turn, as a powerslide will make you lose time. In the higher horsepower cars, such as the M5 or Corvette and up, it is best to do a controlled powerslide. Do not give it gas until you have passed the apex of the turn (halfway into it). This does not apply to all turns -- only the ones that you would not be able to hit the gas all of the way through. Conversely, a GT class car requires a different method all together. It is best to just let off of the gas and turn in most of the turns, and if you use the brakes, never use them in the turns. Always use them before the real curve begins.


Hint: Power slides:
To perform ridiculous power slides, choose the Mercedes CLK-GTR as your car. It has 60% of its weight at the back. Next, go to car tuning and set suspension to as soft as it will go. Experiment with things such as turn speed, tire type, and cheats. This car has a lot of oversteer, and is great fun to drive.