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NASCAR Thunder 2004
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 15 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Sports - Tiburon
Genre(s): Racing, Driving
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: September 16, 2003
Summary
From 200 MPH super-speedways to hairpin turns on 11 fantasy tracks, tuning your car and finding the line is no longer enough. Now youre running to the edge against 42 other unique NASCAR® personalities every race, drivers who remember your every move and wont 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. 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. 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. [Electronic Arts]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: NASCAR 06: Total Team Control NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup NASCAR Thunder 2002 NASCAR Thunder 2003
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: GameSpot Preview IGN Preview Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GamePro
If you're the kind of hardcore NASCAR fans that will revel in the challenge of Career mode, you'll have an absolute blast with Thunder, particularly now that Tiburon has included a ton of in-game help and redesigned the interface to be massively more usable.
Read Full Review >Xbox Nation Magazine
One kick-ass game. If you're a fan of NASCAR racing, you've never had it so good on a home console. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.97]
GameSpot
The "Madden" or "Tony Hawk" of stock car racing games. It's as close as you can get to the real thing.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
Other than the unforgivable lack of online multiplayer mode on Xbox, this is one of the best ways to experience NASCAR short of making the pilgrimage to Thunder Valley. [Nov 2003, p.126]
Team Xbox
The "grudges and alliances" mode alone makes the game above and beyond any racing sim out there in terms of AI.
Read Full Review >Next Level Gaming
Extremely fun to play and highly addictive! And there are so many options that will keep you running back to your videogame system time and time again.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
The only area that the Xbox version of this game really pales in comparison to its PS2 brother is in the lack of an online mode -- a pity when the system has the necessary hardware built right in!
Read Full Review >Game Informer
The new driver ally/rival dynamic makes for some interesting new twists. [Oct 2003, p.137]
IGN
As long as you don't come in expecting any serious realism in the driving model, there are many ways to play and enjoy this title.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Taking the checkered flag involves strategy, which the Grudge/Alliance feature exemplifies perfectly. Still, the controls are a bit too unforgiving for the casual racing fan. [Oct 2003, p.132]
Sports Gaming Network
While there are some audio and AI issues, overall the game has progressed since last year. The grudge and alliance system adds a whole new element to gameplay.
Read Full Review >GMR Magazine
It's fun and impressive, but neither the drama nor the realism will convert anyone who isn't already planning on naming their first-born "Dale." [Nov 2003, p.88]
Yahoo! Games
Takes a step forward with a few new game modes and an interesting rival/buddy system, but the uneven graphics and performance hurt it. And on Xbox, as with all EA Sports games, the situation is worsened with no online play.
Read Full Review >Maxim Online
Fanatics will tweak tire pressure, suspension, and build dynasties, alliances, and sponsorships; rookies can learn the nuances of drafting, passing, and holding position on dozens of real-world tracks.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Uter gave it an 8:
I'm not a fan of Nascar, but this is genuinely a good game. There are a few problems though. The framerate takes a bit of a hit at some camera angles (none during gameplay thankfully though). Sharing drafting to gain allies seems like a bit unrealistic and gimmicky. In multiplayer, it'd have been nice if the pit crew weren't invisible. But overall it can be really fun.
Justin M. gave it a 10:
I have played this game quite extensively and it is by far the best nascar game to hit a game console.. Gaphically, game play, difficulty, tracks, physics..you name it... This game just kicks ass... I on my 7th season in carrer mode and even in easy on career mode this game is challenging... If like to watch nascar you'll love to play this game.... by the way... Don't make the mistake of pissing off your competition they will return the favour with no hesitation....
Brett b. gave it a 10:
This is the greatest game ever the AI drivers are awesome they actually fight back. THIS GAME ROCKS!!!
Richie R. gave it a 9:
Could have had all the paint schemes but its still ok.
Drew B. gave it a 10:
It's Awesome!!
Race Fan gave it a 4:
I am gobsmacked! None of you have played this game yet you have reviewed it between 8 and 10? Damn I want your crystal ball!!!
Kyle R. gave it an 8:
2003 was a great game, 2004 is suppose to have awesome AI the drivers will remember what u did to them last race and pay u back. It's going to be an awesome game.
