NASCAR Thunder 2004

by Electronic Arts

Product Features

• Grudges & Alliances: Emotion comes to a racing game for the first time as CPU drivers remember your every move and aren't afraid to pay you back.
• Pick up & Play controls help new fans navigate over 60 events including all real world NASCAR races, plus 12 winding road courses.
• NASCAR Thunder 2004 goes online with peer-to-peer racing on the PlayStation2 and 16 player races on PC.
• The most extensive Career Mode in a NASCAR video game just got deeper and easier to navigate!
• The deepest NASCAR game ever created with over 70 drivers and 175 authentic cars and the first game with a full pack of 43 Cup Series cars.

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00009X3VM
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 6.1 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 17, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,329 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox

From the Manufacturer

The green flag has dropped with NASCAR Thunder 2004. From 200 MPH super-speedways to hairpin turns on 11 fantasy tracks, tuning your car and finding the line is no longer enough. Now you're running to the edge against 42 other unique NASCAR personalities every race, drivers who remember your every move and won't think twice about paying you back. Out-smart and out-drive them as you battle three-wide from green to checkers. Online or on your own, racing just became a contact sport.

Product Description

The green flag has dropped with NASCAR Thunder 2004. From 200 MPH super-speedways to hairpin turns on 11 fantasy tracks, tuning your car and finding the line is no longer enough. Now you're running to the edge against 42 other unique NASCAR personalities every race, drivers who remember your every move and won't think twice about paying you back. Out-smart and out-drive them as you battle three-wide from green to checkers. The game features 70 licensed NASCAR Drivers, more than 175 authentic car skins, 23 authentic tracks, and the largest set of car setup options ever offered in a NASCAR simulation.

To race as any of this season's Winston Cup Drivers, and hit the tracks up to 60 unique events to make a choice from, adding 12 road courses and 4 fantasy courses ;Try out the additional Career Mode you will have to create a racing legacy by managing sponsors, teams, garages, and pit crews ;Advanced new particle design build realistic texturing and lighting effects, for a realistic racing experience ;Advanced AI means racer will remind you bump another guy too much, and he will go after you and try to turn you out.

Release Region: United States
Release Date: September 16, 2003

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Potential gone to waste, November 24, 2003

By 

Hossmann "The Mann" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NASCAR Thunder 2004 (Video Game)

When NASCAR Thunder 2003 came out, I thought I saw a game with serious potential to be as well known as Madden or NCAA, but this year, I am beginning to think that EA has put it on cruise control, realizing that this is the ONLY option on the Xbox

Gameplay: This is what I am highly disappointed with. The gameplay from 2003 was good, but not great. And I was looking forward to the gameplay tweaks. But I was wrong. The physics many have complained about have gone from bad to worse. EA Sports overemphasized the "realistic" physics engine. So basically what I am trying to say is that it is much more difficult to master than last years version and if you are not racing in Daytona or Talladega, good luck. The physics engine will make you skid out of control if you go into a corner too fast. A good attempt to improve the game was the in-game rivalries in Career mode. Unfortunately, with the horrid physics, you will most likely do a lot of bumping + grinding with opponents, therefore making many enemies in the locker room, which means you will have an early exit in most races when your enemies come hunting you down.

Career Mode: It practically remains unchanged from last year. But this isn't NHL 2003 were taking about here. Last year, it had one of the best career modes available. And I can accept that. There were a few tweaks to polish the overall performance. Like a guide to newcomers and the R+D has evolved letting you choose what you research. But I'll be looking for some improvements in this area next year.

Graphics + Sound: These two things remain unchanged from 2003, but these were pretty good last year also so they dont have to worry about that, there are more teacks on the game, but these basically have to do with Alternative Rock, but if your not a fan of Alternative, this game does allow for custom CD's.

Final Verdict: I am rather disappointed with this game, I was looking forward to a good game this year, but itll have to wait till 2005. If you are interested in 2004, rent it first. If you like it, then buy it. If not, there will probably be a 2003 version available for 20 bucks, so invest in that then.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NASCAR Thunder 2004, October 19, 2003

By 

J. Kimbley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NASCAR Thunder 2004 (Video Game)

Nascar Thunder 2004 is an improvement over last year's game Nascar Thunder 2003. A new feature that EA Sports has decided to put in this year's version is the grudges and alliances during the race. With this new feature it makes the game feel more realistic when you race at tracks particularly at short tracks like Martinsville or Bristol where rubbing can be expected. If you don't race clean with the other drivers you can expect a rivalry between you and that driver or drivers that you got a rivalry with are sure to get some serious payback from them if they reach -60 or more, so you better race clean.

Another feature that EA decided to put in this game is the Speed Zone to teach you about passing, drafting, time trials, and blocking out on certain tracks, not only that there are also videos to help you become that better racer in NASCAR Thunder 2004. There are some game modes/features that are making a return for this year's game like Career, Lightning Challenge, and Thunder Plates. You still have to earn Thunder Plates to unlock Busch Drivers, or Legends such as Alan Kulwicki, Bobby Allison, and Richard Petty.

It's a good thing that this is the only NASCAR game this year because everyone should own it. Finally, EA got things right with the game. The new 'feelings' all the drivers have are great. You can get them to like you, or you can get them to want to bash your car into the ground. If you are like me, you'll love to take out the other cars as you passed them in previous games...but now I don't know if I should every time.

The control is a bit shaky as if you were actually driving a car. Gone are the days when you hit someone on their side and don't loose control a bit. Granted you can save the car most the time but at least you have to save it now. The graphics are much better than ever before. The faces of the drivers look like the drivers now. And the cars and tracks are very smooth.

If you played the previous games, you probably had limited damage on and every time something bad happened to your car you could just hit square and repair it right away. The damage control on this game is much pickier. So don't go wall bumping like I used to do as well. I actually hit the brake button for the 1st time when I bought this game...WOW!!! If you're not a big fan of braking though don't worry, you may get lucky on the short tracks and have a car on your right side the whole time...not likely, but possible.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Green flag! Go, go, go!, September 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: NASCAR Thunder 2004 (Video Game)

NASCAR Thunder 2004 hits the shelves, and with quite a bang, too. There are so many steps up from last year's game. The graphics and sound are even more stunning than previous versions.

This year, there are a few new treats added into the game. In addition to new lightning challenges where you will earn thunder plates, there is now a SpeedZone mode where you'll be able to brush up on your driving skills. This covers drafting, blocking, passing, and a time trial mode where you simply have to hit your marks to win with the best time possible.

There's also the addition of an allience/rivalry system. Share your draft with another racer, and he might just help you win a race. Bump a driver too much, and he'll be sure to come after you and pay you back. He may also try to block you if he gets ahead of you.

The driving assists have also been greatly improved. Last year's game had one major flaw -- braking assist made the car too slow. It was very tough to try to get a decent starting position or a good finish. Not this time around. With the assists, it will be easier than ever to win races! You can play like a pro when you first pick up the controller! There are thunder license challenges to also help you bone up on your driving skills. You even have video tutorials narrated by MRN's Joe Moore.

As always, there are thunder plates to go after and win. Thunder plates will unlock things like legend drivers, new sponsors, paint schemes, special tracks, and even qualify cheats. To win the qualify cheats, you have to beat the various tracks' thunder license challenges.

So, maybe having every licensed track NASCAR races at isn't enough for you. Well, there are the same infield courses from last year's game as well as new fantasy tracks. Race through New York, or take a nice trip through the country side in brand new fantasy tracks. Get ready for some serious right turns up ahead.

All in all, this year's game is wonderful. All of NASCAR's Winston cup drivers are waiting for you! So get up, get Thunder 2004 for your X-Box or PS2, strap yourself in, and let's go racing!!!

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