Customer Reviews

Jarrett & Labonte Stock Car Racing

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This may be the most well rounded pure racing simulation ever on a console system. I also wrote a review for F1 Championship Season 2000 and probably enjoy that game more, but for a pure challenge this is the game.

First off there is one drawback, and that is the lack of qualifying for individual races in season mode. Instead you are defaulted into certain spots. That's not good. However, the games mode of trying out for certain teams and meeting their required goals is enough of a feature to overlook the qualifying flaw.

Gameplay... tough but brilliant. The controls are twitchy compared to F1 and NASCAR, but the setting can be adjusted in the options. Very nice. More importantly... the cars drive different from each other. A rear wheel drive Mustang will drive and handle differently than a front wheel drive Celica or a monster 460 hp Viper. Factor in the weather conditions (from drizzle to flat out storm) and the toughness is amplified.

They have a wide array of real life courses that can be driven at night as well. But there are two real keys to this game... physics/realism and opponent AI. The physics/realism are tremendous. Bumpers hanging off, windshields smashed, hoods being torn off, etc. Also, you can drive from the cockpit view with the actual interior of the real car. That may not be a big deal for some, but I was never impressed with a Grand Tourismo where you had to either drive from the bumper cam or from behind the car. Driving from the cockpit changes the entire aspect of the game and gives it a sense of authenticity with which GT and GT2 cannot compare.

The opponents are unparalleled. If you rub a guy wrong once or twice... he will be on you. They will block, rub and ram if you are overly agressive. However, if you play nice they will run a clean race. These opponents don't just have AI, they have personality and tactics.

The bottom line... this racing game is second to none in realism and Opponent AI. The graphics and sound are well done. Each car sounds different. The car set up screens are well done and informative. Overall, if you consider yourself a (video game) race car driver and afficianado... then this game must be in your library. And if the simulation aspect is too much and want just a slight tinge of forgiving physics... check out F1 Championship Season 2000. You cannot go wrong with either choice.

This is by far the BEST and MORE realistic racing game I have EVER played. The damage simulations in this game are superb. Its amazing how realistic the cars behave, each car has its own characteristics and quirks. Another element that makes this game so ultra-realistic are the engine sounds; each car has its own specific sound that is extremely accurate. There are SO many real-life cars and tracks to chose from. I simply can't get enough of this game; I could sit and play it for hours on end. If you have to buy just ONE racing game for your Playstation, this one HAS to be it. EXTREMELY recommended!

I have played the Demo and it has an arcade style to it. Its fun, the graphics are has good as the PSX gets! I wish they would have but it out on the PSX2 instead for better grapics. The wrecks/damage is excellent ! If you get hit in the bumper front or back enough it will hang off your car half-way and vibrite as you drive down the road, then if you get hit again it will fall off onto the road, and STAY there the whole race, getting knocked around the track. This is just one of the many examples of Damage this came allows. I would say the visual graphics are the same as Driver. The sound is good. The cars range from DODGE VIPER, PLYMOUTH PROWLER, FORD MUSTANG, AUDDI TT, to TOYOTAS, ALFU-ROMONOS, ect... And its up to 4 players!! For a fun GOOD new racing game this is the ticket!! But thats just my opinion.

First off let me say that I have little experience with racers... I have just two others, but have read tons of reviews. I bought Jarrett & Labonte after reading the rave reviews from others and it was even better than I expected. I doubt I will ever race with Gran Turismo again and Test Drive has been collecting dust for some time. This is a great game for one or more at double the price. At first I was disappointed in the graphic detail and clarity of the cars compared to Gran Turismo but after playing for more than the intial 6 hours, I can say that the car graphics are variable from mediocre to excellent, but the scenery is consistently outstanding and blows Gran Turismo away in this category. The racing itself with all the damage and fantastic sound effects is just plain fun and addictive. With a second person it is lots of laughs. Why go out for entertainment when you have this outstanding game. It is at the very top of my list and I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed with this racer. The depth of play goes as far as you want, but even right out of the box it is easy and fun. Control of the cars is more difficult than in Gran Turismo but everything else makes up for this. Menus are easy to navigate compared to Gran Turismo, with settings easy to access. Choosing a type of car and tweeking it is not important to me, but it can be done easily in this game and you get to do it right away rather than having to earn the right as in Gran Turismo. This is technology and superb game writing at its best. Get this game, but you are warned that it is very addictive.

Don't let the title fool you. This ain't a bunch of cars going in circles. If you like Gran Turismo your gonna love this game. Solid graphics from hoods flying off, windshields shattering and sparks from various parts draging on your car. The championship mode is a real challenge. This is a game where you can feel and see the results of your car settings.
If you a true race fan and a car buff I recommend this game. You will not be disappointed.

I am guessing that the marketing for this title was a complete miss and a bomb. It clearly is supposed to grab the attention of NASCAR fans who will be sure to be disappointed because there are no Cup cars and will be missed by road racing / simulation fans (me). I remember passing it by when it came out because it looked like another off brand NASCAR title.

I loved TOCA on PSX/PC. I loved Touring Car Challenge (TOCA 2) on PSX/PC. I loved Pro Race Driver (PC/Xbox). Basically this fits somewhere in between TOCA 2 and TOCA 3 I guess. Anyway it is a sort of simulator with real tracks and lots of different cars. The damage, handling, sound effects, options and control are a real hoot. It has a 16 x 9 / widescreen mode and I pop it in my ps3 and play it on my HD TV and it doesn't look too bad for a PS One game. Love it and recommend it!

Jarrett and Labonte Stock Car Racing in Europe is called
Toca World Touring Cars. Toca with a good spin. The graphics are excellent. The Cars are blindingly fast. A must buy!

One of THE best racing games for Playstation! My only negative is Watkins Glen should be the full circuit.

One of THE best racing games for Playstation! My only negative is Watkins Glen should be the full circuit.

First off this game will give GT2 a run for its money its that good. Not as deep as GT2 as far as tuning cars but the game play...AHHHHHHHHH MANNNNNNNNNNNN. This game is awesome. You race against 11 other cars on the track at a time and from start to finish its a bumpin and a grindin through out the race. The AI is so tight that if you bump or nudge another driver off the track or spin him out. Guess what you better watch your back cause he'll remember that and he'll be gunnin for you. The graphics are as good as your gonna get for a playstation racing game even blowing GT2 out the water. The control is the best part of the game these cars respond instantly to your commands. Just remember to tap the handbrake on turns to make for fast lap times dont hold it to long or you'll spin off the track. And if you think your gonna pull ahead of the pack and blow them away your wrong. All cars are evenly matched for championship mode that you really need skill and patience to win races. All in all this could well as be the top racer for the playstation if it wasn't for GT2 but its up to an individual which is the top racer. As for me I'm enjoying both of them. So what are you waiting for, still reading, add this bad boy to your shopping cart now and get ready for some fast pace bumpin and grindin racing on the Playstation, later peeps. Peace to the World...