It was announced last year that a trio of new Need for Speed titles would soon be arriving by Fall 2009, what we have here now are screenshots of Need for Speed SHIFT which is the front-most on the starting grid. Gallery and a reminder of what EA intends to release for the franchise in the months to come.

• Need for Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, PSP) — A “hardcore racing simulation” overseen by Black Box executive producer Michael Mann, and Patrick Soderlund, the co-founder of DICE and current senior vice president of EA Games Europe. External developer Slightly Mad Studios will be responsible for putting a realistic spin on the franchise.
• Need for Speed: Nitro (Wii, DS) — As you might expect, this one will feature a “unique visual style,” courtesy of EA Montreal. Nitro promises to take full advantage of the unique controls on offer for both platforms, but without sacrificing depth. According to Munro, “We do not want to fall into the trap of creating a ‘Need for Speed Lite.’
• Need for Speed: World Online (PC) — Jointly developed by Black Box and EA Shanghai Singapore, this free-to-play online racer is set to launch in Asia this Summer, with a North American release slated for next Winter.

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[via Joystiq]