Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed is the 5th game in the Need for Speed series. In Europe it is called Need for Speed: Porsche 2000 but in Germany and Latin America it is simply called Need for Speed: Porsche.

This is also the first Need for Speed title in Japan to not use the name Over Drivin' which had been used since the initial release of The Need for Speed until the release of this game.

Porsche Unleashed was the last title in the series to feature cockpit views and damage affecting performance although damage returned in Need for Speed: ProStreet with cockpits returning in Need for Speed: Shift.