My all-time favorite NFS game was the very first one, which I played for endless hours on my 3DO console with a special analog joystick. At the time, it was pretty much the best racing game made, and with the best graphics available. The crashes were so realistic (except no damage of course). The only other racing game at the time that I enjoyed as much (possibly more) was Road Rash, also on the 3DO. Those were the days. Heck, I still have the 3DO sitting in a closet...maybe it's time to dust it off and give it a go...
Over the years since, NFS has greatly improved graphically but gone downhill gameplay-wise. I did like Porche Unleashed, but the others are basically crap. Sure there's a market for more arcadeish racing games, but I don't think EA can make an arcadish racer thats also FUN! They've yet to come close to Grand Turismo or other popular racers.