NASCAR Thunder 2002 review (PlayStation 2)

Even though it's a lightweight simulation, NASCAR Thunder 2002's visuals are just as displeasing as last year's. The pixilated vehicles and jagged lines of NASCAR 2001 are gone, but not entirely erased, as the game still has a somewhat blocky feel to it. The frame rate is unsteady, often stuttering when more than 10 cars are onscreen at once. In terms of overall background detail, there isn't much past the grandstands and track vehicles to grab your attention, although this year's game benefits from the addition of real-time shadowing and ubiquitous skid-mark replication. The car models remain spectacular, while the new damage model lets you witness side panels and hoods fly apart with wild abandon. Still, considering the strides made by Gran Turismo 3 and Test Drive Le Mans, there's no reason NASCAR Thunder 2002 has to look so dated.

However, in contrast to its visual shortcomings, NASCAR Thunder 2002 sounds great. Engine noises, collisions, and metal-on-cement sound samples are present for a variety of situations--some so subtle that you'll only hear them on specific tracks! Smartly, the daft announcer from last year's game has been replaced with a strong underlying soundtrack and a useful pit-crew radio. Pit-crew chatter is an invaluable part of this year's game, with such undeniably useful phrases as, "Number seven edging up high," or, "You're heading around too fast." Before and after each race, an announcer provides a commentary on the day's events, but it's not so longwinded as to become stale.

As far as incidentals, the game supports up to four-players in the quick race mode, includes a few unlockable hidden cars, and sports video previews for FIFA 2002, F1 2001, Madden 2002, NHL 2002, NBA Live 2002, Triple Play 2002, and NCAA Football 2002. You can also replay the championship videos once you've unlocked them.

If you can see past its crunchy visuals, NASCAR Thunder 2002 is absolutely the best NASCAR title available for the PlayStation 2. From the subtle to the garish, it just feels like you're in the middle of a deep Sunday race. NASCAR Heat 2002 may have the lock on exciting arcade-style NASCAR action, but for realism buffs and purists, NASCAR Thunder 2002 is where it's at.