NASCAR 06: Total Team Control

"An Improvement from last year, but I expected more from EA."

So, Another year, another NASCAR game. This game came out in the middle of the 2005 NASCAR season, so this year is equal to the 2005 of the real NASCAR season. Which means that any changes in the current season didn't make it to this game. So, gentlemen Start your reading!!! (Sorry, I won't do that again. <_<)

Visuals- 9

They tweaked the graphics up a bit this year. The Dodge Chargers look like Dodge Chargers. The tracks have been given a few tough ups here and there, with better lighting effects and new damage modeling. Though the people models look the same as 2005, victory lane, garage, the same. Although I would like to note that the opening movie is amazing, If only the entire game looked like that.

Gameplay - 7

So, you're asking me, ET, what about the gameplay? Hence the name "Total Team Control" This game focuses on the teamwork aspect of racing. At first the game tosses you into a amazing opening movie. Where Jeff Gordan and Jimmie Johnson of Hindrick motorsports, against the DEI teammates of Dale Earnhardt Junior and Michael Waltrip, when Jimmie gets spun out the game puts you in the totaled car of Johnson, The game makes you use the Swapping option to switch to Jeff Gordan's ride and win the race.

So, with that out of the way the controls are BAD. The Trucks are too tight, the NNS cars are too loose, and the game has a very slow since of speed compared to 2005, The team option is a nice touch for bordom though, when you get to the lead and are bored, swap over to another teammate and get to the front. The team aspect left me with a bittersweet aftertaste. You are you in the race, but you have to take care of all of your teammates as well, The game makes up for this by having the teammate help you out, like if you're next to him, and don't have enough to get though, select the "Work with me" option and he'll make you follow his line in an attempt to get you up with him, There are a plethora of commands, but you can only choose four of them. So you need to choose wisely.

Sound-9

The music is okay, Most of the default music is instrumental. (Including an Iron man ripoff) And there's no long EA bar that takes up half of the bottom of the screen, Except for the really good lyric one. The music is mostly Classic Rock, so if you don't like that, then make another soundtrack with gangsta rap and the hippity hop, and the boppin and the bippin. (Oh god, I did it again, I'm sorry. <_<)

Replay Value - Moderately High.

You'll have a nice time with Fight To the top mode if you learn how to to work with it. Most of the Challenges are up to date with the end of 2004/ start of the 2005 season, But you'll prolly shelf this around the time you shelved 2005. Unless you're still playing it, then you're a hardcore NASCAR fan and will have hours of fun just tweaking the gear ratios. @_@

Last thoughts- These are my thoughts and do not reflect the thoughts of GameFAQs or CJayC or even.....Chicken Fries. >_>

I felt the sameway with 05 then I do now with 06. It's better because it has more drivers and paint scemes But I feel, and so do a lot of people on the Message Boards, that they left out Bill Elliot and a few other drivers that should have been there.

Overall, I had fun with this game, and is a bit of an improvement from 05, but not by much.

8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/07/05