As with all other EA games, the latest entry in the Need For Speed series will offer up a fair few ways for you to play ahead of the official release. During the Need For Speed Unbound early access period you can go hands-on with the full release for a window or even start your playthrough before the official release date.
Ahead of the Need For Speed Unbound release date, we will talk through each of the ways you can play early and what that means on your console of choice. By playing early you will be able to get a taste of Need For Speed Unbound multiplayer and also start filling out the Need For Speed Unbound car list.
Need For Speed Unbound early access
Need For Speed Unbound early access is available from November 29, 2022, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. There are multiple ways you can get early access either by paying or for free if you happen to be subscribed to one of these services:
- Ten-hour early access trial via EA Play on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- Ten-hour early access trial via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on Xbox Series X|S and PC
- Purchase the Palace Edition and get three days early access to the full game on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
EA play subscribers and playing Need For Speed Unbound on Game Pass will allow you to play ten full hours of the game. You can spend that time however you like. But, once the ten hours are up that is it, you will need to buy the game to continue playing.
The early access period for the trial begins on November 29, 2022, at 11 PM PST (November 28), 2 AM EST, 7 AM GMT, 8 AM CET. If you purchase the Palace Edition of the game you will also be able to play from this time after preload goes live at the times listed by EA here:
- PC – Nov 24, 2022 8AM PT / 4PM UTC / 5PM CET – Steam – Nov 28, 2022 8AM PT / 4PM UTC / 5PM CET
- Xbox Series X|S – Nov 24, 2022 8AM PT / 4PM UTC / 5PM CET
- PlayStation – Palace Edition: Nov 26, 2022 11PM PT / Nov 27, 2022 0700 UTC / 0800 CET – Standard Edition – Nov 29, 2022 11PM PT / Nov 30th 0700 UTC / 0800 CET
The difference with the Palace Edition is you can play the full game without any time limit. So you just get three days’ headstart on playing, albeit for plonking some extra money down on the game.
And that is everything you need to know about Need For Speed Unbound early access and when you can jump in and play. If you are looking to get acquainted with the tracks you will hear while racing then our full Need For Speed Unbound soundtrack guide lists every song you will be singing along to while obeying traffic laws in the real world. How boring!