Customer Reviews

NASCAR Thunder 2004

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

 

 

Nascar Thunder 2004 is the latest in the series of Nascar games. Now that NASCAR Racing Series is dead and out. NASCAR Thunder is all that is left on the PC. Last years edition was not even close to being better than Sierra's NASCAR racing game. The gameplay is better, the graphics are sharp unlike last year's bland track, you can see everything from the asphault to the oil track where all the cars follow. Graphics are smooth. The actual gameplay is much better and the game has more of the T.V. style presentations into it. Many nice cars and tracks follow this edition. Every single piece of the Winston Cup tracks to cars are here. The new career mode is not too hyped as it should be. First your car is slow is not that good. You have to be number 1 or else your sponsers leave. Very frustrating to win in the first races with a horrible car, terrible career mode. Still PC people get short-handed. Consoles still have more features on the game.

Graphics A+ Very sharp
Gameplay A-

Career Mode B- Can be sharpened up
Overall B+ to an A-

I've read a lot of reviews bad mouthing this game. All I have to say is: Read the manufacturer's specs and don't try running it on an old slow computer. Make sure you have a decent graphics adapter and plenty of RAM. The on-line gaming is great, even using a 56k modem. Half the fun is tweaking your car setups and testing the results on the track. If you love racing (and aren't afraid to put a little effort into learning) this game is a winner.

this is a fantastic realistic heart pounding race game, with a good graphics card it is one of the best, easy to use and simple to learn, you can really enjoy this game as a beginner or you can tweak your car like a real pro, if you can only have one this is IT. i have raced real mod. stock cars and this is the next best thing.

This game i so freaking real it is beyond amazing,keeps me on the edge of my pc chair,and yes can get your goat when ya get tapped by another car lol. Grahpics are amazing I use the GeForce 9800 GTX video card and run the game at 1600x900 resolution,having drove dirt track cars for real, it brings back some good and yes bad times lol. Way to go EA Sports ya did great on this game, I would highly recommend it.
David aka: Maxdogit

This game is cool to play. This game and NASCAR 4 are the only two that will work on Windows 7. The new NASCAR games are made only for XBOX and PlayStation. This game only recognizes the G25 or G27 wheel from Logitech. The wheel works great with NASCAR 4 also.

I am still hooked on the older games, since all I have is a gamepad. This game really needs a Steering wheel & Pedals.
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Graphics are naturally outdated, but it still gives you that "edge of your seat" feel around the track with forty two other cars. Lots of fun, but too precise for a gamepad. If you have a wheel & pedals, try this oldie.

This was my first game. Could not get around the track at the beginning. As I got better, I became addicted. When I got the wheel, the game became my past time. You must build a fast car to compete. That is the best part. A lot of stradegy is needed to build the car of your dream. If you mess up, you will go broke because it takes money, which the game starts you out at 4million, to build the car. Once you have built the dream car, set the AL at 100%. You can stay with them. After a year I brought the Sierra NASCAR 2003 and became spoiled. I sold my EA NASCAR 2004 and I miss it but when you have Sierra 2002 and 2003, you have the best. Donald Lindsey

Ok, I'm not going to talk about computer specs or anything, but im sure everyone's computer is supreme compare to mine, however I can still play the game decently. I'm not a car junkie so I NEVER touched the car settings, I will in the future when I have the time to play with it. This game takes time to develop really. I enjoyed the furious battle for position and the AI is really competitive. The car handles just right for me. I dont know why the bad reviews from others. I'm not even a NASCAR fan but I love the competitive-ness. I recommend this game to whoever loves a good competition. Its also a great way to learn about cars as you fine tune your beast into a champion.

If you are looking for a realistic Nascar sim, then do not buy this game, or any other Nascar game from EA Sports for that matter.The graphics on this game are good, but the whole thing is just so unrealistic. If you want a true Nascar sim any of the Nascar games from Papyrus is your best bet, i highly recommend Nascar racing 4.

Thunder 2004 has a very good game engine, yet it has some serious flaws. Which is why EA won't support it, and is the reason why I will not support EA.
The premise is very good, although behind the times for the "year" it names. The tracks are unbelievably accurate, watch through the Nascar "in-car" on TV, they did such an outstanding job getting the track layout correct.
But... the flaws start with computer programmers deciding which car adjustment does what. Usually, they're opposite from reality. Cautions are so bad that there needs to be a reset button, and the worst is the cold shoulder from EA for any type of support.
Buy at your own risk.