Arctic Thunder

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Sep 17, 2001
Arctic Thunder Image
Metascore
45

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

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  • Summary: Climb on for a little high-speed snowmobile racing (and some hand-to-hand combat) with 19 characters/sleds to choose from, and 12 available tracks to tear up within race, training, battle, and arcade modes.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 15 out of 23
  1. Gamezilla!
    86
    I felt that if it weren’t for the fact that collecting all twelve of the gold medals gave you that maxed-out character, I'm not sure I would have ever played the game in racing mode.
  2. Hot Games
    80
    Don’t let the soft controls or graphic glitches deter you, though. Arctic Thunder still has some fun in the engine, mostly in the breakneck pace of the races.
  3. GameSpy
    67
    Unfortunately, when there is a lot of action on-screen, there are noticeable slowdowns, which really shouldn't happen with a machine like the PlayStation 2.
  4. PSX Nation
    40
    I’ve decided to rename it “Chaotic Thunder”. See the game is such a chaotic mess that it’s hard to describe.
  5. Electric Playground
    40
    Playing this game reminded me of being at a family outing when I was a kid and picking up a coke can to take a drink only to find out that one of my relatives had used it as an ashtray.
  6. Game Revolution
    33
    You'll find more arctic thunder around an outhouse in Antarctica than you will in this entire game. Don't bother to thaw.
  7. Cinescape
    0
    Last but not least are the incomprehensible sound effects and the typical arcade game music. The music isn't too bad but deciphering all the sound effects as they happen is something that is exceptionally difficult.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 5 out of 8
  1. KirkL.
    Jan 5, 2007
    10
    Hours of family fun with Artic Thunder. Game has several features that provide action throughout every race. Our whole family plays it and Hours of family fun with Artic Thunder. Game has several features that provide action throughout every race. Our whole family plays it and have gotten several hours of great times.… Expand
  2. GregM.
    Dec 31, 2001
    9
    While not terribly complex, loads of action and fun for the whole family...beginners and experienced players can share the course and While not terribly complex, loads of action and fun for the whole family...beginners and experienced players can share the course and excitement of opening new characters and tracks.… Expand
  4. aspentitan
    Jan 16, 2020
    6
    When I saw the professional review scores on this game they didn't seem to match the expected price that this game still sells for so IWhen I saw the professional review scores on this game they didn't seem to match the expected price that this game still sells for so I decided to check it out. My perception is it is unfairly underrated but does require some caution. The first thing I'd like to say is this game is not nearly as bad as the professional reviews suggest. Their scores suggest the game is broken to the point of unplayability and I'd say that is definitely not the case. I was expecting massive fps slowdowns and other glitches and to be honest I didn't encounter any however I didn't try all the tracks either. Yes the graphics are not as much as the ps2 can showcase and could use a lot of improvement but this is essentially an arcade game and the style of arcade racers is pretty much what you see here. That said I do agree the graphics can get a bit chaotic at times but honestly they are only distracting not game breaking. What I want to warn in this review is that this game is pretty much an arcade game and is not very deep. As with many of the "got bored quick" comments I can also verify that feeling. I'd imagine this game would be perfect for the 5-9 year old crowd (or whatever age kids are into cartoons). The games are short and the controls are pretty forgiving. I checked out the settings from easy, normal to hard and they are pretty much the same there is a difference but pretty subtle overall. Had there been a larger difference making this game harder and appealing to older players I'd have upscaled my rating to a 7/10. Being an arcade racer with short games (2min) you can appreciate that adults will get bored of this extremely fast. Unfortunately adults reviewed this game and that's why I think the ratings are out to lunch. If you were to ask 5-9 year olds what they think I'd bet they love it endlessly....and I think that explains why the prices on this game are still not so bad considering it's a cd based ps2 game from 2000. I think if you are in the age bracket I mentioned you will enjoy the game and won't if you are not. Personally I don't mind a brainless arcade racing game here and there. Back in the day you use to pay 25 cents for roughly 2 minutes of game. I miss those days and still find this game to be in par with that, if not even cheaper all in, so I'm happy to have this style/category game in my possession. If I have young guests over they can be entertained with this simple to play game. I remember back in the day visiting as a kid and games like these helped pass that dreadful time going with your parents visiting god knows who and being stuck there only to find out they had a gaming system to save the day lol.… Expand
  5. GDsReviews
    Jul 9, 2022
    2
    This game is a buggy mess, and adds significantly more to the game compared to the original arcade cabinet version. It is these parts notThis game is a buggy mess, and adds significantly more to the game compared to the original arcade cabinet version. It is these parts not playable in the arcade version where the bugs are most significant. One of the most noticeable and biggest bugs in this game is that it is extremely common for the music in these new tracks to loop incorrectly to outright stutter, making for a jarring experience to the ears while racing on them.… Expand
  6. KittyN.
    May 5, 2002
    1
    Arctic Thunder for PS2 could've been so much BETTER. I mean, it's even kind of stupid when you play it in the arcade. For one, the Arctic Thunder for PS2 could've been so much BETTER. I mean, it's even kind of stupid when you play it in the arcade. For one, the graphics SUCK. They barely surpass those of the PSone. The races are too fast- you're in and out of them in like 70 seconds. Did I mention this game is all about luck? You don't even need any skill to play it. I was being nice with my rating; should've given it ZERO!… Expand
  7. Bendover
    Apr 16, 2002
    0
    Horrible, utterly stupid, leave it to midway to screw up a game.
  8. AyaneandDana
    Jul 21, 2002
    0
    Ayane: I give it a 0. It's too painful to even play it. It takes five minutes for it to bore you to death. To me, the concept is just Ayane: I give it a 0. It's too painful to even play it. It takes five minutes for it to bore you to death. To me, the concept is just like Crash Team Racing on Ice. Dana: It gets a zero. The gameplay is so quick you wouldn't even know if you raced or not. It takes no skill. Arctic Thunder... I'm surprised it even made a metascore of 49!!!… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
72
#72 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001