I started playing the NFS Games back when the original Hot Pursuit was launched back in 1998. I'm definitely looking forward to the new NFS Hot Pursuit as it will be a welcome refresh to the series. The Underground refresh was a change that I sort of liked but at the same time missed the old feel to NFS, particularly the cops and the exotic cars. Most Wanted brought it back and Carbon kept it and those were fun games. ProStreet was interesting as an experiment and all in all a good game albeit not nearly as popular. Undercover was basically Most Wanted 2 and served its purpose as such and I liked it. Shift I have only tried but have not played it very much and it seems good in terms of realism.
My favorite game in the NFS series to this day though, and I certainly enjoyed Hot Pursuit, High Stakes, and Hot Pursuit 2 but my favorite was Porsche Unleashed. I wish they would make another game like that again. But this new Hot Pursuit seems very promising to bring back the old feel, let's hope they don't ruin it by adding a corny story to it or something.
The only thing that sucks on my end is most the people I know aren't into racing games at all, they only do FPS and Action games online. Good to know I'm not the only one who digs racing games.