NASCAR Heat 2002

Sports Gaming Network

The 43-car field in the Xbox version compared to 25-car field in the PS2 version is by far what makes the Xbox game better.

GamePro

Beat the Heat games are the best part of this speedster, cleverly mixing a variety of cool driving techniques with engrossing competition.

GameZone

If I had to choose just one, I'd go with NASCAR Thunder. It may not be as realistic, but overall it's more fun to play...However, the unstableness of NASCAR Heat's vehicles heightens the intensity of the experience to levels NASCAR Thunder cannot reach.

Media and Games Online Network

One of the most engaging and entertaining racers I've had to privelige to play.

GameShark

This is a lot of fun. The car damage alone makes it worth it.

Game Informer

Compared to its PS2 counterpart, it's easy to see that the Xbox version is much sharper and smoother, but when it came to play, I will have to give the nod to the PS2 version. [Dec 2001, p.108]

Official Xbox Magazine

Weird AI and incomplete NASCAR track selection don't hold back this racer. [Dec 2001]

Hot Games

There's a lot more to do here than there is in Thunder. But whether or not you get to the mini-games will depend on your skill and your patience. If you develop both during the first few rounds of Heat, you'll be hooked. We were.

Next Generation Magazine

Dolby Digital 5.1 support means that viewing the game from the driver’s perspective is about as close as any of us will ever come to actually driving in a NASCAR race. [Dec 2001, p.96]

IGN

Will all racing fans enjoy this? Definitely not. But those of you with a hunger for the sport will have fun with this title, despite a few technical setbacks.

GameSpot

Should be quite appealing for its intended audience: die-hard fans of NASCAR. However, its laundry list of customization options and relative focus on technical driving may prove frustrating for borderline fans of the sport.

Gaming Age

The link feature is great, but the online play is wonderful. It’s a shame there isn’t a server to allow people from all over the world to play against one another.

Operation Sports

It's the same old song with a new background tune.

Gamezilla!

Nice graphics, solid sound, and easy controls...But, since it missed the boat regarding that special something (fun for extended lengths of time) and it really can be “too much” in the options department, I honestly must say this is for the real race fans -- not the casual gamer.

GamerWeb Xbox

The graphics, sound, and gameplay are all dismal at best.

Gamer's Pulse

There are some major glitches on the Martinsville track, but NASCAR Heat 2002 is a solid and enjoyable game overall that will appeal to both NASCAR fans and casual racing gamers.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

When it gets down to brass tacks, “Thunder” beats Heat to the finish line pretty handily as far as this year’s NASCAR video game crop is concerned. [Dec 2001, p.254]

Xbox Nation Magazine

Nascar heads should check this out immediately, others should stay far away. [Jan 2002, p.94]