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By Andy Matheson on October 27th, 2001
Introduction It takes a special type of gamer to appreciate a Nascar game. Not many people like to drive in a circle for 10-200 laps. This game is a hit or miss...you’ll either love it or hate it and wonder why the hell anyone else would want it. Nascar 2001 on PS2 was a huge dissapointment. The sound was lacking, as were the options, modes and graphics. Furthermore, there were still less than 43 cars on the track. EA has catered to is fans once again and rebuilt their game into the greatest Nascar simulation, ever. Presentation Better than any Nascar game before it, Thunder feels like a Nascar game. From Lynard Skinard playing in the background to insane car options to a full 43 car grid, this game represents everything Nascar offers in spades. The menus are broken down really simple. Quick Race for a quick 1-4 player race. Race Modes to choose from Single Race, Championship or the awesome Career Mode. Getting into a race, you’ll see even more awesome presentation. Gas gauges, draft gauges, tire gauges, damage models, grid orders, lap times, there is an assload of info being shoved at you at all times during a race. Half the skill needed to win a race is being able to glance at your displays and stay straight at once. The sense of speed is just that good. Graphics & Sound One of the biggest gripes about Nascar2001 were the graphics. If there was ever a showpiece for anti-PS2 fanboys and there ’jaggies’ nonsense, Nascar2001 wouldve been it. Add in uninspired car models and tracks. It wasnt something pretty to look at. EA has improved them greatly. Car models are now insanely detailed, with incredible arrurate paint jobs, decals and tracks. Hell, even the pit crew looks awesome as it comes out and changes your tires and fills your gas tank. Also, and about damn time, there is a full 43 car grid on each track. The number drops in multiplayer, but it’s all good for faster gameplay. It sucks playing a super speedway like Daytona with only 20 cars and losing the pack, losing the draft. With 43 cars you’re always in the race. Just wait till you play Bristol at night with 42 other cars. Awesome. On the sound side, it’s about as good as a Nascar game can be. I say that because well...how good can Nascar sound be? You hear the car, and you hear the crashes well. Other than that, the sound effects arent very common. The menu music kicks ass. For a Nascar game, the sound is excellent. Gameplay A racing game with awesome graphics sound and presentation would be nothing without great gameplay, and thankfully Nascar Thunder delivers. Alot of it can be tied to the full 43 car grid. The tracks are all perfectly designed, right down to their real life counterparts. I’ve been to Texas Motor Speedway a couple times to watch Nascar, and it looks incredibly like the real thing in the video game. Collision detection is superb. And most importantly control is more realistic, no more letting off the gas and coasting around some corners.Lasting Appeal If you have more than one mullet freak around the house, Thunder has a 4 player mode which runs very smooth but isnt very detailed. The Carreer Mode is deep. You can gain sponsors, win cash to upgrade your car, etc. The goal is to win 8 championships(which would break Petty and Earnharts record) in 20 seasons. Best of all you can create yourself into the game. You cant create the driver tho, just the name. But the car creation is pretty cool. You can choose from Ford, Chevy, Pontiac and Dodge, as well as many paint templates or make your own. Depending on how much you enjoy Nascar, you’ll either play this game regularly or it will collect dust. Its an awesome game, you just have to be a fan. Conclusion Dont be swayed by last years lame product. Thunder 2002 offers quite a few innovative features such as 4 player, Career Mode and Create A Car. It has great graphics, sound and gameplay, which is all that really matters. Fire up the old Ford, show you mullet with pride and pick this baby up. | 
