EA's Blockbuster Racing Franchise Makes a Sharp Turn with Need for Speed ProStreet (thanks Gamer's Hell), announces the latest installment in the high octane Need for Speed series is now available in North America, and will race onto European stores on November 22:

VANCOUVER, Canada--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS - News) announced that Need for Speed™ ProStreet ships to retailers today in North America. The game will ship in Europe from November 22 onwards. To celebrate the launch of the game, EA is auctioning off a one-of-a-kind autographed Need for Speed ProStreet poster and will donate the proceeds to the non-profit organization, Save the Whales, founded 30 years ago. The poster was signed by over 40 celebrities including Hayden Panettiere from NBC’S Heroes. Proceeds from the auction will go to Save the Whales for their programs to educate children and adults about marine mammals and the importance of protecting them in their environment. The poster will be placed on eBay on Friday, November 16 at 9:00am PST.

“The development at team at Black Box is proud to be delivering an all-new experience in the Need for Speed franchise that ups the ante in the racing game genre,” Larry LaPierre, Executive Producer at EA Black Box. “We are equally proud to make this commitment to Save the Whales, especially in light of the recent oil spill in the San Francisco Bay.”

Need for Speed™ ProStreet delivers something completely new by taking gamers to the highest level of street racing where the competition is fierce, the cars are hot and the races span the world. Experience the thrill and intensity of driving the most anticipated street racing cars that have yet to hit the North American market including the 2009 Nissan GT-R, the 2008 Porsche 997 GT2 and the 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X. Need for Speed ProStreet is your ultimate taste of the chaos and unbridled adrenaline sweeping street racing culture.

In Need for Speed ProStreet, gamers must prove they have the racing mettle to dominate the competition. Design and customize cars, face-off in iconic locations and battle in four distinct racing styles – grip, drag, drift and the all-new speed challenge. The competitive play is further amplified online with the introduction of a unique social feature that allows gamers to compete against their friends and rivals across the world without the need to be online at the same time(a).

Need for Speed ProStreet is an all-new racing experience. The atmosphere is electric – complete with energetic crowds, photo-realistic vehicles and billowing smoke – all designed to embody the pressure and intensity of the gladiatorial challenge known as Show Down. An all-new procedural damage system will have cars scratching, denting and crumpling differently with every driving mistake. Need for Speed ProStreet is the realization of the intense rivalry, raw power, and visceral aggression that embodies street racing culture.

Need for Speed ProStreet is developed by EA Black Box in Vancouver, British Columbia and will be available for Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the PC for a MSRP of $59.99. It will be available on the Wii™ for a MSRP of $49.99 and on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Nintendo DS™ for a MSRP of $29.99. For gamers on the go, they can download the mobile platform for a MSRP that starts at $2.99. The game will also ship for the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) handheld entertainment system early next year. The game is rated E10+ by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com.

(a)PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360 and PC versions only. INTERNET CONNECTION required. See product pack for additional details.