THE DRIVER’S BATTLE IS ON!

17 January 2010, Australia & New Zealand – They’re sexier, faster, fiercer – and, this March, the green light will unleash the cars, tracks, and competitors of 2011’s premier racing title.  SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED™, the latest entry in the critically acclaimed Need for Speed™ simulation series, races onto retail shelves in Australia and New Zealand on March 24, 2011

Players can secure their spot on the starting grid by pre-ordering the SHIFT2 UNLEASHED Limited Version to get exclusive access to the Nissan Silvia spec.R Aero (S15), the Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV, and the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 and 40 career events.  These include Single-Type race events where a driver’s skill is pushed to the limits as each player competes in the same make of car; Old vs. New Challenge events in which classic cars go head-to-head against their modern counterparts; and Manufacturer Showdown events that pits some of the most iconic car rivalries against each other in an all-out-battle to prove which car is the best.

SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED pushes the driver experience to the next gear, with an all-new rendering engine and graphics overhaul, innovative helmet camera, night racing, and authentic degradation of tracks and cars.

SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED takes the innovative rivalry-generating Autolog technology pioneered by Need for Speed Hot Pursuit and connects friends, and competitors, together in head-to-head races and player statistic match-ups to add new layers of depth and detail to the intricate customisation and tuning of the simulation series.

Developed by the award-winning Slightly Mad Studios, SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED will be available on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC.