Customer Reviews

NASCAR Thunder 2004

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!!

Obviously not intended for NASCAR fans who are only casual gamers, Thunder seems far more geared for the game geeks instead. Even on its easiest setting (rookie, w/assists, etc.) you will constantly wreck and smash into other drivers. This in itself would be bad enough, but additionally, when you hit the other cars, they start trying to hit you back. By the end of the first race you will have pee'd off half the drivers, turning the game into more of a smash up derby than a race. I checked to see if there was a setting to turn off rivalries, but it was nowhere I could find. Furthermore, if you want to play in career mode, the easiest setting is not even available, basically making it impossible for a NASCAR fan without much video game experience to do little more than play bumper cars. Even the settings that are there seem to be more of a joke on the player. For instance, you can lower the volume for different aspects, but when the announcer comes on before and after the race, he's comes at you full blast. This has the tendency to not only scare the crap out of the player, but also wake up the wife, whom you told an hour ago that you where coming right to bed. And for some reason, certain display setting keep changing regardless of what you set them to. I personally like to have a small diagram of the track to see where I am in respect to turns and the pit, but just when you need it most, it has turned into a display of car damage or sometimes nothing at all. No matter how many times you change and save it, it changes back. I realize this is an older version of the game, but my limited experience with EA is that they don't usually correct most problems with new releases.

So many negative reviews have been written about this game by those who played earlier editions. well this is the 1st time I ever played a NAscar game and I love it.

License mode is great, having Richard Petty talk you through each track is great stuff, its like a real life scenario, you have to practise to become good to become a contender to become a champion to become a multi time champion to become a legend.

I like games with competion and I like games where you really have to work hard and practise, then when you do finally become champ, its a sweet feeling, like you really one the big one.

Tou will do better on some tracks then others (thats how it is in real life) but the key is to be consistent and patient. I can talk all day about this the quality of this game but I wont. Great graphics and excellent sound. This game is for the hardcore professional racers who wont sulk bcz they cant win a race or cry bcz the game is to repetitive.

For serious races only

Great graphics. Nice physics to car handling, including realistic damage, good force feedback effects (on my Nintendo wheel).

I play mostly quick arcade mode races. never bothered with "career" mode. Love trying all the different tracks, and was surprised to learn how different they all are! When I watch motorsports I'm a fan of road racing, not oval track racing. But this game taught me that there's a lot of variety in how you drive the ovals. Really taught me a lot of respect for the stock car format - more fun and less predictable to drive than any road racing simulator, because of all the traffic.

Lots of fun in both single and dual player modes. Nicest touch there is that even in dual player mode, you still have lots of AI cars on the track. (You get 40 cars in single player, 20 in two player mode). AI seems decent - no stupid driving by the machine.

Negatives:

1. the game does not remember any of your settings. If you want to switch tracks or something, you have to set up your car from scratch. What's the point of that??? I'm CONSTANTLY having to go back and reset my car for a manual transmission. It's silly (no, annoying) to have all these options and menus and dialog boxes to go through when the game remembers squat. I think this is a bona fide bug, it is not relevant to my setup.

2. doesn't work quite right with my Nintendo wheel. the shift paddles don't work so I have to shift with the A and B buttons. Other than that the wheel works really well with the game, with fairly realistic force feedback, etc. (feedback could be more detailed though).

3. no weather modelling. It's always dry and sunny.

Overall though, it's the most fun racer that I've used on gamecube.

I have been a long time fan of race inspired games of the simulation type. I have stayed away from "arcade" style ones due to the mindless physics and press the accelerator only mentality. NASCAR Thunder 2004 is one heck of a good game and I would put it as a close second to Gran Turismo A-spec for the PS2.

The graphics are good, although the surfaces and action is not as smooth compared to GT for PS2. Audio is very good with a nice balance of default sound effects and music whereby tweaking is not necessary.

There is a sense of nervous anticipation just before the race begins and it carries over until the finish line. With a highly competitive grid of racers the action is intense at times. A great game and a must buy for the race gamers.

What can you say about Nascar Thunder 2004!? This is the best racing simulation I have ever seen and played!! The Rivalry factor is intense and well placed in the game. Gives it an added luster never seen before. Choose your friends/foes well, Rivals will not forget when you drive "dirty" and bump them out of the way. Remember, they just might "pay" you back when your about to race for the win.

Tons of options in frachise mode. you control everything! Pit crews, car designs, sponsors, it is unbelievable!

This is as close to the perfect race simulation you can get. If you are a NASCAR fan or a racing simulation fan this is the game for you. Go get it now!! By the way, The #24 IS on Fire!!!

It's a really good nascar game!!! If you're a nascar fan this is a must have!!! Great graphics, awesome crashes, and plainly realisitc. You can even create your own car.

This game is great! I ordered another X Box controller, so I can play against my sister. Tony Stewart is Nascar's best!