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Yes—but only during a past promotion. EA’s Origin “On the House” offer gave away the PC version of Criterion Games’ 2012 Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The archived deal record says it expired on March 1, 2016, so it is not a free offer you can claim now.
What was the Origin free offer?
EA distributed the full PC game through Origin as part of its “On the House” promotion. GameSpot reported the giveaway on February 2, 2016, identifying it as the 2012 release. An archived offer record lists the promotion period as February 1 through March 1, 2016. That record is US-oriented, so it does not establish that the offer was available on identical terms in every region.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Need For Speed Most Wanted | $39.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Need for Speed Most Wanted | $115.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Need for Speed Most Wanted - Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $129.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Need for Speed Most Wanted - Xbox 360 (Limited) | $21.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (Renewed) | $17.27 | Buy on Amazon |
GameSpot’s February 2, 2016 report and the archived deal record document the giveaway and its end date.
Which Need for Speed: Most Wanted was free?
It was Criterion Games’ 2012 open-world racing game, not the separate 2005 game with the same subtitle. EA described the 2012 release as a game built around open-world driving, competition with friends, and Autolog 2, which tracked and compared players’ activities.
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- very good game
EA announced North American release for October 30, 2012, and European release for November 1, 2012. The original release also included Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, iOS, and Android alongside PC; the Origin giveaway itself was specifically for PC.
Sources: EA’s release announcement and GameSpot’s giveaway report.
Rank #2
- Open Road, Open World - Regions that include edgy industrial and urban environments -- it's on you to figure out when the environment can be a friend for a foe
- New and exciting gameplay that incorporates strategic cop pursuit and skill-based evasion techniques with illicit street racing
- Extensive visual customizations, whether gamers are trying to lose the cops or they just want to pimp their ride
- Go up against the best street racers on the scene to earn respect and rise to the top of the Blacklist
- Build up their Rap Sheet with record breaking times, street challenges and out-foxing an escalation of police vehicles, tactics and technology
Can you still get it for free through Origin?
No. The documented promotion ended on March 1, 2016. The fact that someone claimed it during the offer does not mean a new account can claim it now, and the historical promotion record cannot verify which games a particular EA or Origin account owns.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What can you do if you missed the giveaway?
Check your own EA account and the current store listings before buying: the offer history does not establish account ownership or current availability in your country. EA’s current product page lists PC distribution through the EA app and Steam, and presents a Complete DLC Bundle that requires the base game. The page accessed on October 8, 2026, displayed prices in Brazilian reais; those figures are not global prices.
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Rank #3
- Open Road, Open World - Regions that include edgy industrial and urban environments -- it's on you to figure out when the environment can be a friend for a foe
- New and exciting gameplay that incorporates strategic cop pursuit and skill-based evasion techniques with illicit street racing
- Extensive visual customizations, whether gamers are trying to lose the cops or they just want to pimp their ride
- Go up against the best street racers on the scene to earn respect and rise to the top of the Blacklist
- Build up their Rap Sheet with record breaking times, street challenges and out-foxing an escalation of police vehicles, tactics and technology
If you are considering a console copy instead, treat it as a separate purchase—not as a way to redeem the old Origin offer. Match the platform and edition to your console, and check the seller’s current stock and terms. The game was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but current retail availability is not established here.
EA notes that online features and services are not guaranteed and may be retired after notice. Check the product listing for your region and platform for current availability, edition details, and online-service information: EA’s Need for Speed: Most Wanted product page.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Open World Action - Lose the cops - your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, lay low, or shake the cops in surroundings that play to your car's unique strengths. Freedom is everything. Drive anywhere with your friends, discover hidden gameplay or utilize your knowledge of the city to beat them in a never-ending supply of challenges.
- Non-Stop Multiplayer - Pick a car, hook up with friends and jump into a non-stop playlist of tight, competitive events. No lobby screens means the action never stops. Score big, rank up and earn endless rewards and upgrades. Keep the fierce rivalries going between events with endless opportunities to race, battle and explore in a huge open world.
- Beat Your Friends - Autolog 2 ratchets up the intense competition with personalized race recommendations and feeds broadcasting all of your most newsworthy scores, speeds and times to your friends. Earn Need for Speed points at all times on any system as you try to outdrive your friends and become the Most Wanted.
- Racing Without Rules - It’s survival of the fastest as "Need for Speed Most Wanted" fuses the franchise’s, authentic "real car" feel with the intense speed and aggression of Burnout. Power down, slide out, and battle your way past cops and rivals using pure driving skill, and heavy doses of nitrous.
Rank #4
- Open World Action - Lose the cops - your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, lay low, or shake the cops in surroundings that play to your car's unique strengths. Freedom is everything. Drive anywhere with your friends, discover hidden gameplay or utilize your knowledge of the city to beat them in a never-ending supply of challenges.
- Non-Stop Multiplayer - Pick a car, hook up with friends and jump into a non-stop playlist of tight, competitive events. No lobby screens means the action never stops. Score big, rank up and earn endless rewards and upgrades. Keep the fierce rivalries going between events with endless opportunities to race, battle and explore in a huge open world.
- Beat Your Friends - Autolog 2 ratchets up the intense competition with personalized race recommendations and feeds broadcasting all of your most newsworthy scores, speeds and times to your friends. Earn Need for Speed points at all times on any system as you try to outdrive your friends and become the Most Wanted.
- Racing Without Rules - It’s survival of the fastest as "Need for Speed Most Wanted" fuses the franchise’s, authentic "real car" feel with the intense speed and aggression of Burnout. Power down, slide out, and battle your way past cops and rivals using pure driving skill, and heavy doses of nitrous.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
