Score: 87
Overall User Average: 8.67 / 10 (86.8%)
Gameplay User Average: 8.75 / 10
Graphics User Average: 8.79 / 10
Sound User Average: 7.71 / 10
Xbox Masta 4
Date reviewed: August 28, 2005.
Overall: Although this game is a bit old now, it still isn't a bad game to get. I would suggest one of the new NASCAR games however oh well. This game is acurate and is fun to play.
Gameplay: If you like hitting turns at high speeds then get this game. It really is acurate about the braking and high speed system. Don't brake good enough you are going to end up higher into the walls, brake too much and you're going to get passed. This game isn't hard, and is easy to learn right away. It's always fun to see a NASCAR crash so make the best of it.
Graphics: Graphics aren't the best today but this game is fun. Does a great job of showing damage, and the tracks are great.
Sound: Sound is good, hear a crunch when hitting a wall. Your team will talk to you, also great sounding engine as well.
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %
The Jackal
Date reviewed: June 4, 2005.
Overall: This was one of the first Xbox games I played and it's great. I think visually today it isn't the greatest but it is still pretty impressive. The tracks are all accurate as the should be and the create a car for career is very good as well. I played some of the Nascar games after this one and even though they were newer, they did not stack up to it at all like they should of.
Gameplay: Gamerplay is great. The game has a lot of detail put into the driving aspect which is good. You really learn a lot about the right lines to take, when to accelerate, how much to break, etc. in order to stay with the leaders and be the best.
Graphics: Visually it could have been better but it was a 2002 game and still was impressive. The crashes are well done, the smoke and dents look very nice, the create a car gives you a lot of choices, the time of day really affects you and looks great ie. sun in eyes, lights shining off car at night looks great. I think visually this game was great.
Sound: It sounds very nice. With the volume way up you get such a great racing feeling with the engines going and cars passing you. I think a bit more detail could have gone into the skidding and such to give the game a little more but still it was great.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 80 %
JediMasterChief
Date reviewed: August 11, 2003.
Overall: Start your engines! Nascar Thunder 2002 is a Nascar racing game created by EA Sports. Nascar Thunder 2002 was the first Nascar racing game that I have played and I enjoyed playing it.
Gameplay: You start off your career as a pro racer and you speed through season after season of high speed racing. Gameplay is simple (race around speedways to get to pole position). It might get boring after racing in circles for a long time, but we must keep our Nascar spirit. I myself am not a Nascar fan, but the I liked the game. It isn't one of my favorite Xbox games, but still, it has something in it. The controls in Nascar Thunder 2002 are like all other racing games. The multiplayer mode is also cool. The game might start off somewhat easy, but racing is always a challenge.
Graphics: It isn't as realistic as on TV and the Xbox's graphical capabilities have not been used at a maximum. However, the visuals are even though quite good. Since it is an EA Sports game, it is somewhat realistic, actually to me it seemed very realistic. Car collision and car damage is done very good in Nascar Thunder 2002.
Sound: Engine sound effects have been also done very good. It is also good that they added in commentators to make it more realistic. The main title song of Nascar Thunder 2002, 'Sweet Home Alabama', a nice song. Both music and sound effects have been effectively used in Nascar Thunder 2002.
Suggestions: There is no point in suggesting sequels, because they are developed every year. Visuals and sound could have been used at a maximum, but it's still okay that they have been used at a satisfactory level. It would have been cool, if EA Sports put a bonus demolition derby game onto Nascar Thunder 2002, but since it's a sports game, they probably wouldn't do that.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %
rpgreligion
Date reviewed: December 21, 2002.
Overall: Fun game. The gameplay is superb, but has its flaws but of course. Visuals are excellent. Sound is ok. Probaly the best nascar racing game out currently for xbox, i think it beats heat. Having played 2003 yet, but its probaly better.
Gameplay: Racing, fun. But ummm i found crashing other drivers to be just a bit too hard. And we need an instant replay system! All races in career mode would be nice. The physics really suck. You hit a car as hard as you can and nothing happens except they spin half way around and get it back going. Also mechanical failures would be nice. More npc crashes. Npc cars need more of a mind of their own, so improve the ai.
Graphics: Wow. Nice glare, and shadowing, excellent cars. Pit crew could use some work. The tracks look fantastic.
Sound: Sweet home alambama is a sweet song and all...but ummm VARIETY would be nice. The cars sound, are a little dull...and dont really sound like the cars, at least to me.
Suggestions: Driver injuries, instant replay system, improved physics, improved ai, more sound variety, more car customization, better graphics, more add-ons, good luck!
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 60 %
murken
Date reviewed: November 29, 2002.
Overall: this is definately for the NASCAR obsessed fan. the game feels real, looks real, and plays pretty real. however, not being a big NASCAR or racing-genre fan,i'll bring a little more objectivity into the rating. the game is tough, takes hours to get used to, and needs some NASCAR knowledge; all of which I don't want to spend the time to do.
Gameplay: this is as close as you'll get to running a 700 horsepower car at 190 miles per hour. the racing, the competitiveness, and the adrenaline factor all seemed to fit into place. this is a very addictive game if you allow it to be.
Graphics: everything looked nice and polished. the sun glaring, the crowd cheering, other cars passing, real damage effects; very nice job.
Sound: crank up the stereo and it sounds like you're watching a race on Sunday. crashes seemed a little played down though.
Overall: 50 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 50 %
xboxgamer142
Date reviewed: May 27, 2002.
Overall: Start your engines! Nascar Thunder 2002 is a Nascar racing game created by EA Sports. Nascar Thunder 2002 was the first Nascar racing game that I have played and I enjoyed playing it. Since it was created by EA Sports, it is obvious that it has to be good...
Gameplay: You start off your career as a pro racer and you speed through season after season of high speed racing. Gameplay is simple (race around speedways to get to pole position). It might get boring after racing in circles for a long time, but we must keep our Nascar spirit. I myself am not a Nascar fan, but the I liked the game. It isn?t one of my favorite Xbox games, but still, it has something in it. The controls in Nascar Thunder 2002 are like all other racing games. The multiplayer mode is also cool. The game might start off somewhat easy, but racing is always a challenge.
Graphics: It isn?t as realistic as on TV and the Xbox?s graphical capabilities have not been used at a maximum. However, the visuals are even though quite good. Since it is an EA Sports game, it is somewhat realistic, actually to me it seemed very realistic. Car collision and car damage is done very good in Nascar Thunder 2002.
Sound: Engine sound effects have been also done very good. It is also good that they added in commentators to make it more realistic. The main title song of Nascar Thunder 2002, ?Sweet Home Alabama?, is also quite nice, even though it is from the 70s. Sometime ago, I found the song on the Forrest Gump Soundtrack. Both music and sound effects have been effectively used in Nascar Thunder 2002.
Suggestions: Nascar Thunder 2003 will probably be created by EA Sports sometime this year, so there is no point in me suggesting it. Visuals and sound could have been used at a maximum, but it?s still okay that they have been used at a satisfactory level. It would have been cool, if EA Sports put a bonus demolition derby game onto Nascar Thunder 2002, but since it?s a sports game, they probably wouldn?t do that.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %
xboxrocks29
Date reviewed: May 5, 2002.
Overall: i am really into watching and playing nascar.this game has really awsome graphics and pit crew graphics.they really did a job on the pit crew this time.
Gameplay: i think the handling is really good compared to some of the n64 games of nascar.they finally put some intrest in the game at least to me.the other racers on the track battle u like crazy.
Graphics: again this game has really awsome graphics to it.if u do a nite race the sun looks really real and it feels like u are there because sometimes the sun hurts ur eyes.
Sound: i like how they have the lady as a crew chief for u in 2player mode.the crew chiefs have the voice like they would in a real life because of the strict voice.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %
Bundy
Date reviewed: April 16, 2002.
Overall: f you are a NASCAR fan, then you have to have a NASCAR title. I bought Thunder because I was at the Talledega EA Sports 500 in October of 2001. EA had a booth of about 20 xbox all playing Thunder and this was before launch day. You had a chance to run a lap and the guy with fastest time got to Race a lap against Dale Earnhardt Jr., I did not have the fastest lap.
EA gives a nice tribute to my fallen hero with a huge black #3 splash screen. Then some good ol boy music plays as the game loads up: Sweet Home Alabama.
This game is fun, challenging, and addictive.
Gameplay: Several play modes exist, such as quick race, season, and career. In quick race, you can race up to 3 of your buddies. This is great fun, but you are the only 4 on the track. This is a shame. Also in multiplayer mode, you do not have the option of getting a rear view mirror or a full in car view.
There are so many things that can be changed in the game it is unbelievable. AI strength, race length, damage, tire wear, caution flags, display perfect line, and speed compensation. Those are just the game settings, and it allows you to be as close or far from the real thing as you want. Then you can make changes on your care. You are free to change whatever the real guys do. For most folks you will be fine if you take the default setup.
This game can be very hard, but when you make the settings to your level, the game is just plain addicting.
Graphics: This is the best-looking NASCAR game I have seen. The level of details on the cars, down to all the decals, is amazing. The tire smoke, tire tracks, infield, grandstands, sun, pits, track surface, fans is a perfect package. The team has done a fantastic job to replicate all the tracks and cars. I wish that somebody would create a NASCAR game for the xbox first and take advantage of its hardware; the graphics would blow us away.
Sound: This is my least favorite part of NASCAR Thunder. I find that the sound is very flat. The engines do not have the feel or sound that it does on TV or at the track. This is by far the worse sounding NASCAR game I have played.
The spotters also get to be annoying. Sure they are helpful to tell you that you are clear or not, but they are very repeatable. Such as you hit a wall 4 times and twice they probably told you either ?this isn?t a demolition derby,? or ?you are not making friends with the guys in the body shop.? They should either have more lines or just not say something every time.
Suggestions: Please write a version with the xbox in mind first. The graphics will be out of this world, plus options such as in car and review mirrors for all humans may be possible. A full 43-car field is also desired when playing multiplayer. System link and/or online play is also a necessity.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 50 %
toyboat
Date reviewed: April 12, 2002.
Overall: I find this game to be very addictive. I bought it, played it, had to buy a steering wheel (the MC2 really makes the game) and find myself having to stop playing because I do need to have a life other then racing around the track. I find that the game play is fun and creating your own car and running your own team is great, yes there are some things that I feel need to be updated in a Thunder 2003, but I will get to that later. The feel of the normal controller is a no where near as good as the steering wheel. Lets just say that everyone that walks into my living room always comment on the table that I built so that I can play this game more comfortably, and that I have about 10 extra careers saved because all of my friends had to create there own cars and play.
Gameplay: You do get the feel that you are racing in a NASCAR race. Yes there are some things that you can not get from this game, like the breeze in your face, the smell of rubber, or the oil and dirt on your face after a race, but after having some of my family members comment that I don't need to talk to the other cars, and that my pit crew doesn't always reply to my questions you realize that this game is too realist. I just find myself playing too much (I think that the time I ran the full Daytona 500 was a little of a low point, and my butt was a more then a little sore after the run.) The one bad thing is that after you upgrade your car to about half of everything you can win the championship even on legend. The longest it has taken me to complete all 8 Championships was 11 years. Once you have one you are almost guaranteed to get the next seven. There is no way to set damage on in career mode. I would like to see that. You may have a good racecar and a great engine, but if you hit that wall you for the last time you should be out of the race and have your points reflect a 43 place in the standings.
Graphics: The grahics are great. When my father so the game is comment was, is this a real race or a game? Ok he may not be the most computer game experienced person around, but he was impressed and so was I the first time I played (and the 100th...and the 200th....) There are somethings that I have seen that make the game a computer game. Like seeing one of the cars that was crashed just jump off the track and fly through the air. The tracks are great recreations of the original tracks. I do get the feel of being in the middle of the pack when running 15th and have traffic all around me. I really enjoy some graphics on the other cars on the track, but I have yet to see damage on another car (unless it is smoking on the track with its engine on fire). Also I would like to see some of the real advertises on the cars, like Mark Martins Viagra, Dale's Budwieser I understand that it may be hard to get the rights or that it may make the rating on the game more for Adults, but that would make the game that little more realist.
Sound: Well the sound is a little lacking. Yes I like the intro song, but after about a day or to you do not even hear it anymore. The crew chief can get really annoying, but you still need to hear if a car is "still there" I can say one thing, get the volume up enough and the china will rattle......
Suggestions: There is a lot of little fixes that the developers did not fix. Like when the announcers talk about your car before the race. They are wrong a lot. I have lost position in the stands and they say that I am up in the standings, I have been in the points lead, and they say that I have been past in the standings. I have watched the replays after the race and had my car's tires vanish and not get put back on until I was out of the pit. The computer has taken control of my car on a caution in the middle of a shift and my car was stuck in N for the entire caution (and 3 laps behind). The lack of control in the pit has caused lose of position. An option to control the pit would of been a great option. Damage "ON" for the career mode. More Money management, for car maintance and fuel. If you crash, money to rebuild your car. Having more then one car in your garage. Having to pay salaries to your team. Many more statement for you spotter.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
ivandy
Date reviewed: April 6, 2002.
Overall: The best NASCAR game ever! Big
improvement over any other
NASCAR game I have ever played.
One of the major reasons for me
buying an xbox.
Gameplay: Everything was very easy to do.
Seems like an actual race, unlike
some previous versions. Lots of
fun!
Graphics: Graphics are great! Crashes, pits,
everything was very precise.
Better graphics than any other
game for NASCAR.
Sound: I do like Sweet Home Alabama,
but the game really needs
soundtrack capabilities! Love the
crew chief and spotter talking.
Need more of it! Needs surround
sound desperately! I want it to
sound like a real NASCAR race.
Suggestions: Even though its a wonderful
game, it needs a bit. I want to be
able to drive my own car under
caution and in the pits. The
compter screws up sometimes
and I lose positions. The game
should have options for weather.
Daytona and Vegas should have
options like really hot! or cloudy.
Road Courses should have
options on if it will rain or not.
Rain on a road course would be
sweet! I want black flags! In
career mode, if a driver gets in a
bad enough crash, he should be
hurt and out for a certain amount
of races. make it real!!! spectator
option for multiplayer!! online and
system link options! driver
interviews during the race, have
the box come up in the corner like
a real race. maybe a field
summary across the top of the
screen? i want to be a part of
victory lane! i want to do a victory
lap with the flag. more crashes by
the rest of the field. not as long
cautions, or at least let me control
my own car. more track
conditions. and more types of
damage! i think that sums it all
up...
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 70 %
teddster
Date reviewed: February 17, 2002.
Overall: really good racing game, nice graphics, feels like your actually racing, sound is supurb, very easy to control, i suggest if u like racing games buy or rent this game.
Gameplay: controls are very easy to use and you begin to control it without even thinking about it.
Graphics: great graphics, real cars, its all really good the cars look like they actually do in real life.
Sound: theres nothing better than hearing the cars engieins roar, and it sounds like your actually driving, but the spotter gets incredible iratating after a while.
Suggestions: make better create a car mode, more drivers, make more tracks
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %
doughthe1st
Date reviewed: February 16, 2002.
Overall: I love Nascar and EA Sports did a great job putting it in a game for Xbox.
Gameplay: The controls are easy to learn and use as you play more!
Graphics: The atention to detail is pretty good compared to other racing games.
Sound: Don't pay much attention to the music since I'm busy being involved in the action packed racing.
Suggestions: I noticed there aint a automatic save feature in the game so I like to see that added in the future. And there's not much of a soundtrack in the game aswell.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %
Fett56
Date reviewed: February 11, 2002.
Overall: This game is amazing. It is the best NASCAR game on any console, and almost as good as NASCAR 4 on PC. I just can't get enough of it!
Gameplay: It is kind of hard to control at first, but then you get used to it. The camera angles are great, and so is the rearview mirror.
Graphics: The Graphics in this game are simply amazing. Again, i must compare it to NASCAR 4. It is better than NASCAR 4 graphics wise.
Sound: The sound is great in this game. Some people say the sound is ok, but I think it is great. You get so involved in this game, that the sound just seems to fit.
Suggestions: LAN and Online play. 43 player online.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %
Bruce111
Date reviewed: January 31, 2002.
Overall: I enjoy this game, but wish that when you increased the length from 5 to 10% that more pit stops were required. That would give more pit strategy into play. I don't have all day to race one track.
Also, I wish that you could change the length of the races and the difficulty during the season.
I enjoy racing games and this is my first NASCAR game. I'm glad I chose this game.
Gameplay: It'd be nice to create custom courses. The ovals get old.
The AI is harder/easier on the same settings in different race modes.
Sponsorship is too easy to acquire and the full sponsorship is sometimes less than individual sponsors. This doesn't make it worthwhile to have a fully sponsored car.
Names are never mentioned, only the car numbers.
Bring some weather into the game, a little light drizzle. It doesn't matter the reason for a yellow, it always lasts about 3-4 laps. Even if a fire is out by pushing "L" quickly.
Also, it sucks that when 3 or more cars in multiplayer are racing, those are the only cars on the track. It is still exciting, but takes away some competition.
Graphics: no rear view mirrors in multiple player mode. :(
no pit crew when in multiple player mode.
Sound: Okay. I can tell the difference in the sound from the different views. It would be nice to have more variety in music and to be able to play your own music.
Suggestions: see above...and...
Include options to make this game more versatile. There could be "Mario Kart," options that could be turned off/on to spice up a game for multiplayer. Also, I wish that career mode could have more than one driver in a season/career.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %
xgamerx
Date reviewed: January 25, 2002.
Overall: My appeal to NASCAR racing is a long time in the making. I have personally gone to the races and my favorite racer out there is Bill Elliott. I know what there is to expect from the reality of the sport and I feel EA sports could have done a far better job in the show aspect of this game.
Gameplay: Gameplay is awesome. All aspects of driving are simulated, the black marks on the racetrack made by the tires, the spotters calling out the plays going on around you, the feel of the controller when the car is rubbing up against a wall or car, Going into pit lane for adjustments, the sounds of the engines and screeching of tires. So if you want a Nascar game for only the game this is a good one.
The menu screen is a bit on the tricky side. I don't like feeling my current race isn't saved when you can only return to the main menu. That just makes me feel a bit uneasy.
Graphics: There is such a lack of visual appeal in this game its sickening. While in career mode you don't get anything. I want more show in this game then what is given. I won a race and didn't get any satisfaction of winning. What I mean by that is my racer did not visually enter victory lane and my driver get out to spray the fans with champagne standing beside to lovely ladies wearing bikinis. Like Halo, after completing a section there is a short video discribing the next part of the game. I want that in this game. Another audio/visual thing that is missing from this game is, &q Start your engines!!!!! This is made famous everytime there is a race. To me these things add the realism making it a much better game. I know Xbox has the ability to add short video clips so why wouldn't EA sports apply this in Thunder??? Do the engineers know anything about racing and its visual effects. The beginning visual effects are ok seeing all the cars going down the track while skynard is playing in the background. After I played this a few times I feel EA could have added much more but lacked effort on their part. Folks if you only want game play this is it...
Sound: Sound is good. The beginning of the race day should start off with "Gentlemen, Start your engines!!!" and you TV speakers exploding to the sound of 43, 700+ horsepowered cars starting.. Your controller should shake and you know you are ready to do some real NASCAR style racing. Nascar racing is beefy braughy and the lack of it is shown in this game. But for the most part during game play it is really good. you have spotters, you have sound of your tires, you have scraping of your car. Gameplay sound is good.
Suggestions: EA sports and NASCAR Thunder developers. Get some balls and go to a race! Feel the power and loudness and visually stimulate me in your next attempt to make a good Nascar game. Come on people, make me hear and feel and see all there is in Nascar. From the F-16's flying overhead at the start of the race to the Mr.Peanut man in vitory circle. Visually show me my driver getting into the vehicle and starting the car with a push of the button and making my heart pound because I am about to go head to head with crybaby Gordon. Getting in fistacuffs with Tony Stewart in the pits.. ADD VISUAL STIMULATION outside of just racing. You do the racing part great.
Overall: 70 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 40 %
Sound: 60 %
Brandon
Date reviewed: November 25, 2001.
Overall: Hey. Nascar Racing fans out there. Are you listening to me. If you like nascar racing games you must get this. No dout in my mind that this is the best nascar game out there today. The graphics are amazing, the damage is out of this world. It is the big daddy of all nascar games. So buy it.
Gameplay: The controls are so easy to use. Old or new racer. The only way you can screw up is if you drive the wrong way or you just wreck the person on purpose. I think that it is so real. It is like real racing. When there is a opening the racer will take it. They can get alittle crazy out there but you just have to get use to it.
Graphics: Like I said earlyer, the graphics and damage are wonderful. Even if you dont like nascar and just like games with good graphics you should get this. The pit crew is better than on games like 98 were there was no pit crew.
Sound: The sound was not that great, besides how do you expect them to make it perfect. Every game has at least one wrong thing. And this games wrong thing is its sound. Hey it is ok but i would not brag about it.
Suggestions: Good job on putting everone on the track not like heat were there was only 24 cars period. And Make the sound alittle bit better. What would be even better is show like on the real races people talking to the driver having a interview or something like that. That would take some big ba**s. You already have the pit graphics at the best. So you have not prob. there.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 80 %
undertow
Date reviewed: November 24, 2001.
Overall: First Impression of this game was that it didnt look much different than any PC game of the same type I had seen or played. For a typical console I guess that would be a good thing.. for the Xbox it leaves a bit to be desired.
Gameplay: The Gameplay is very precise and easy to get used to, in fact theres not much to get used to in your first race it's almost a give that you'll be vying for the top spot before the race is through. The AI seems to just follow the leader around in circles, not really trying to take over unless they just happen to be going a bit faster and it accidently happens. With easy controls and very smooth graphics it does make it very fun to play for atleast a race or two. (Who can resist stopping at one point and driving the track backwards!)
Graphics: Graphics are on par with any PC game of the same type. This title could be very done if it were an xbox only title, but compared to any other console this one is by far the best. Actual damage, although not as much as I would have like. The inside of the cars seems to be a bit repetitive, I guess they couldn't model each drivers exact car inside and out. No complaints about the backgrounds or pit crews, all very well done and really help the score in this department.
Sound: The usual and expected sound, I would have liked to hear more announcer voices. The radio comm is standard, and sometimes just states the obvious. Classic Nascar engine sounds are done really well, and some of the collisions actually sound really life-like as well. A definite plus to this appealing game.
Suggestions: Make an Xbox Only Version. I'll let you decide what to add and not add, you're the pros :)
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
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