NASCAR Thunder 2002

"It's time to burn some asphalt with the Big Boys!"

NASCAR. The word sends chills down the spine of Americans in the southern part of this fine country. After a few years of being in the middle of the pack with the PS One games, NASCAR finally hits the PS2 with enough power to make it the best game of it's genre.

Gameplay: 9/10

With it's great controls, it's easy to ride with the big names of NASCAR. You can use either the D-Pad or the Analog Stick(Analog Stick is better for better control) and still get a possible top 15 finish without a mess. There is still a problem, and that can be the toughness of shifting when you need to. That's is the only mistake on a somewhat blemish free Gameplay, which gets a 9 out of 10.

Graphics: 10/10

They have finally got it right! They finally put 43 cars in the field, which means you can have the true experience of NASCAR without the cars blowing your ears out at the racetracks. Speaking of racetracks..Everyone of them are in here(Including Chicagoland and Kansas, the newest tracks on the NASCAR circuit). Plus, they have added some fake tracks to boost the fun level in this game. It's time to burn rubber with such stars as Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Junior, Ricky Rudd, and many more as you try to prove yourself. This gets a PERFECT 10 out of 10.

Game Modes: 8/10

Like any EA game, it's packed with game modes. One of the best ideas is the Create-A-Driver mode, in which you create a driver and his car(Always wanted to see Outback Steakhouse sponsor your car? BOOM! You've just got your Outback Steakhouse sponsored car made). After that, you go into Career, in which you must win 8 NASCAR championships in 20 years..Sounds easy, right? Not so fast my friend! The typical NASCAR rules are in effect here, so beware of that(Namely the Pit area speed limit, it gets me all the time). Plus, you can go up with 3 other friends for some speedy asphalt kicking! But, the challenge of Career is so up there, that you may not have lots of fun, that's why it gets a 8 out of 10. Anything else(Like a Season with the custom tracks)could of got this a higher score.

Audio: 8/10

It's major weakness is the Audio department, which only has ONE song in the entire game(But, it's ''Sweet Home Alabama'' by Alabama, a southern staple) and the sound effects are typical NASCAR. You always hear the Pit Crew telling you what you are doing right or wrong. Man, give these guys a little life, can't ya? Anyway, it gets a 8 out of 10..But, be ready to handle Alabama till your ears bleed(If you listen to Alabama at ear bleeding levels, that is).

Buy or Rent? Buy!

It's either this or NASCAR Heat 2002, so you don't have much of a choice here. If you want to take some challenges, get NASCAR Heat 2002, but if you want everything NASCAR gives into a one action packed CD, get NASCAR Thunder 2002 by any means needed!

Overall: 9/10

EA's freshman effort with the NASCAR license on the PS2 is by far one of the best efforts by EA in a long time, considering the past efforts on the PS One were a level below the monster of the PS2 game. With tons of Play Modes, drivers and tracks, you get a very huge package here. But, there are some hitches here and there doesn't give it a perfect score, but it comes very damn close. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to tame Bristol's very small, yet tough as nails course.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/27/02, Updated 01/27/02