Customer Reviews

NASCAR Thunder 2002

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

 

 

Don't get me wrong, 2002 has it's advantage's; such as all the tracks during a real season, better looking crashes (and more yellow flags), updated cars and drivers. But for the most part it's Nascar 2001, so if you enjoyed that one and are looking for an updated version, then this game will satisfy.

But if you were expecting a new Nascar game for 2002, then be ready for the reality of the release of PS2, it seems that all creative efforts must have gone to the new system. Here's what to expect: 1)there is no commentator at all now, 2)there is no option for music during the race, 3)they supply even less driver info, and they even forgot some drivers (where's the Tide car?),
4)there's still only 18 cars on the track, 5)same exact garage settings from 2001, 6)two lap qualifying, 7)no cars are ever 'retired' from the race, everyone finishes, 8)graphics are basically the same, 9)Richard Petty is still listed as an active driver (when was his last race?), same driver creation as before: goofy-stupid logos to choose from, exact same as 2001.

Now my review sounds negative I know, actually I'm happy with the game over-all, but then again I was happy with last year's game. I was hoping they could have improved some of the weaker aspects, that's all. For instance: every game these days should have an adjustable AI, so that you can go from incredibly easy to insanely hard (the game would never get old at that rate).
This game's difficulty is the same as last year, and yes I have found myself out in first and all alone (on Legend no less!)
I still gave it 3 stars (I'd even say 4, but I'm a fanatic).
My advice on making the race challenging? Do this:
Leave the default settings for the car, just take it out and drive / set the pit scaling to short so all cars have to pit more / shorten the race (pick 25% or 50%)the more time you have the better you'll do / and (if you like) set difficulty to Legend. Good luck, enjoy!

so far, all the nascar games have just gotten better, and since this is the newest one, well, you get the point.

Good:
Has all Winston cup racers
Has all tracks + extra that EA Sports made
Awesome graphics
realistic pits and crew
As many laps as you can handle
good steering
Works with any steering wheel

Bad:
get a headache after a while (like an hour)
/\
Thats the only bad.

This game is really cool. It has better graphics and all the new drivers and tracks. It is so fun. If you like excitement, this is the game to get. I don't remember Nascar 2001 having Daytona on it. (It would make a good christmas present)

Now available in 3 box set Collectors' Edition. Includes NBA Live 2002 and Madden 2002.

What an awesome game, the tracks look real, you can set up the car anyway you like, choose any driver you wish ( I prefer Richard and Kyle Petty, all 3 DEI drivers, and Kevin Harvick.) You can even make your own driver and paint the car any color you want. The engine sounds are exact, the feel of the car is accurate, the crowd cheers on the last lap whether you're in the lead or not, the game is accurate in every detail. I have one gripe about the options, though.
If you have a Dualshock controller and enable vibration, you don't feel it during game play.

I own Nascar 99, Nascar 2000, and Nascar 2001, and so I expected Nascar Thunder 2002 to have the same exeptional graphics.Boy was I wrong! The graphics are comparable to a Playstation 2 or PC. The game has all of the best cars, including some drivers that you can unlock by running well at certain tracks. You can race ANYWHERE that the drivers race Sunday, from the season opener at Daytona, to the closing at Atlanta. Also included is Daytona Beach, where it all began. This a great game, my only complaint was that the draft stinks. And a note to EA sports:Give us the 43 cars on the track next time!!! You have it on Playstation 2, why not on PLaystation?

Good game better than most Nascar Race games, (have all), set-ups still hard for some tracks,great racing action,great graphics. Must have!.....

By this point, most gamers have gotten their hands on PS2 and all it has to offer, making the venerable Playstation's age show. When me and my fellow Nascar buddies popped in Nascar 2001 for PS2 last year, we were stuck on it for weeks; we had a similar reaction to the new Nascar Heat by Infogrames this summer. However, while waiting for EA's next PS2 punch, I decided to see how the brand spankin' new Nascar Thunder 2002 would fare on the good 'ol PS1.

Race fans can rejoice in that EA's Thunder 2002 is about as good as a PS1 Nascar game can get. It's got more drivers (over 30), all the updated paint schemes and every track that Nascar runs this season (plus a couple fun fantasy tracks). The PS2 games can't say that yet (until the P2 Thunder is released in a few weeks).

The AI is aggressive and challenging in this one - you won't have to worry about shooting out front and being alone in veteran mode. The tracks look solid and the lighting effects have been upgraded. Black Box really has done an excellent job in making what will most likely be the last Nascar game for PS1 the best yet. For those of you like myself, who are hanging on to that PS1 and want to get some more mileage out of it, Nascar Thunder 2002 is a great way to do it.

nascar 2002 has the best graphics but all playstaion nascar game are never realistic, the draft is so unreal u lose the ability to race side by side and there is only 18 cars aloud in a race, and the wrecks stink. the nascar games are always better on the pc. i have all the nascar games from 96-02 but they arent that great

I've never played this game but I've read about it at almost every site i could find and if it's anything like NASCAR 2001 i'll love it and you will too.(and I want it for Christmas)