NASCAR Thunder 2003
NASCAR Thunder 2003by Electronic Arts
Platform: PlayStation2
ESRB Rating: Everyone
ASIN: B00006FWU0
Check price @ amazon.com , amazon.ca , amazon.co.uk
Features:
• Detailed stock car racing sim
• 800-hp, 200-mph action
• Includes massive pileups and metal-twisting damage
• Customize sponsorships and car setup
• Enhanced career mode
Amazon.com Product Description: Experience authentic stock car racing drama in NASCAR Thunder 2003. The 800-horsepower, 200 mph action on the track is true to the spirit of the sport and the passion of the fans, as players experience massive pileups, metal-twisting damage, and an all-new game engine. From sponsorships to car setup to all-out racing action, you will build a legacy and become a legend in the deepest career mode ever. If you can survive door-to-door, three-wide racing season after season, you're ready for NASCAR Thunder 2003.
From the Manufacturer: Feel the intensity and passion of being a NASCAR driver on a quest to become Winston Cup Series champion. Get behind the wheel of your favorite car and take on real-life scenarios as you battle 25 of NASCAR's biggest stars. Complete with dramatic pileups, walls of smoke, and constant threewide racing, no other racing game tests your nerve and your driving skill as much as this. Build a racing legacy over the course of 20 drama-filled seasons and strive to become the greatest driver in NASCAR history. An all-new game engine delivers better gameplay through improved physics, AI, and control. Graphics rendering technology delivers spectacular new car and track highlights, enhanced smoke and damage, and more dynamic racing venues. You're in the driver's seat now.
Customer Reviews:
NASCAR 2003 IS THE BEST GAME EVER, November 25, 2002
Reviewer: A 9-year old gamer
It is cool and the graphics are amazing. When I first tried the game, it was challenging. After practicing, you can get the hang of it and it is very fun.
Unlocking cars is one of my favorite parts of playing NASCAR 2003.
Buy this game it is really fun!
Good but not excellent, November 21, 2002
Reviewer: A 12-year old gamer
First i think this is a pretty good game because of some of the new features. The crashes aren't that realistic because just one car spins out and if you're lucky, that'll lead to a small pileup. But if you notice it, the computerized cars are pretty hard to destroy, but your cars can get destroyed by just a couple of taps. That is one reason it didnt get the full 5 stars. The other reason is that like others say, the volume isn't as good. Plus, unlike Nascar Thunder 2003, you only get to pit once under a caution. The good things about it is probably the the better career mode and seaon mode. Also, you get to change the paint schemes.
Its a good game..., November 19, 2002
Reviewer: Kyle Robinson from USA
The game is alright, except they could have done better with the control. Its so unrealistic it ain't even funny. The damage looks better, and the crashes are more realistic. But the control is why it does not deserve 5 stars. I hope my review has been helpful.
Uh, thunder 2002 was a better game., November 17, 2002
Reviewer: timkinpa from Mountville, PA United States
I'll start my review by saying that Thunder 2003 is a much more complete game than 2002. The AI now causes crashes, which is cool, plus you car can just plain go bad. OK, so much for the positive. Now the other side. First off, if they are going to have a beginner set up the car, how about a tutorial to do it? How about an easier R&D program? My biggest gripes are the volume controls are poor. If I want to hear my spotter, and at the same time hear some engine and background noise, its just too loud to play. If you turn on quick caution, you only get 1 chance to pit under the yellow - you better pray your crew gets it right. But the biggest flaw, and I play this game 2 hours a night, is sometimes after a crash, the big one or otherwise, cars that you witnessed rolled or destroyed, somehow magically restore themselves and end up back in the pack. Playability and fun? Buy 2002. Realism and frustration for the beginner, 2003 is your game. Me? I'm gonna go buy NASCAR Heat 2003, I hear it's gonna give Thunder 2003 a run for the checkered.
EA Sports Finally Got it Right, November 12, 2002
Reviewer: cobramark from Buicks County, PA United States
If you like NASCAR and driving games, this is the game for you. Previous attempts at NASCAR games were just cheesy flashes in the pan. Previous games were shallow in functionality, distorted in graphical depictions (the racecars were cartoonish in their renderings) and made it to the bottom of the pile shortly after arriving home. Boring.
Thunder 03 has depth. Many functions; many modes including Full Season and Career, for example; enable you to change many car settings (though the same pressure for all tires is forced), and even with the idiot controls (AI stability control and auto-braking...which can be limited or turned off), gameplay is thoroughly enjoyable. One of the great parts is that it's not easy to win, especially when you start disabling the AI assists. Learning your line on specific tracks is greatly enhanced by the License mode in which you follow your chosen mentor who's driving ahead (in a ghost car) and offering verbal tips along the way.
Career mode is fascinating. (I understand EA and Maxis are connected, which makes sense.) You can hire/fire crew, keep the team going with funds available (overhaul engines, build fresh cars, etc.) and also sign sponsors...who can become displeased with their alliances with you (a la SIMS).
Oh yeah...the crashes and body damage are great. (I'm sure they could have added roof flaps with realistic results, but people would rather see cars Frisbee'd down the main straight.)
My only beef is that I can't seem to save car setups. (No matter how many times I do, and subsequently load those setups, the actual settings...e.g., manual trans...are lost every time.)
Much more of a simulator (a la GT2, GT3) than previous NASCAR game efforts.
A lot of fun, fairly addictive, and enough to keep you busy for quite awhile.
Consider this a hearty endorsment!
Great Game, November 12, 2002
Reviewer: Lisa Weinreich from Seneca, Il United States
I love the game espiacally the more indepth career mode. The lightening challenges are fun along with the thunder liscences. I espically like the fact that you can unlock legends my favorate driver used to be Alan Kulwicki and many of you may not know him, he's great. All and all it's a geat game and I think you'll like it it's sim style feel is great, recently I have had a lot of success in career winning 3 championsips working on my fourth. To conclude, I think you will like it from the most casual fan to the pure racing enthusiast it is great game!
not for rookies, November 9, 2002
Reviewer: jack mariotti from terryville, ct United States
not for rookies or new comers to nascar. though there is a rookie mode, until you learn to set up your car and race carefully you will not have fun with this game.even after i took the time to set my car up so it was fast enough after ten laps i was racing all by myself for 25 mins. i was not having fun.in the 2002 game anyone can jump in a car and race in the rookie mode and even win with a default car (no setup) , thats fun.if you want things tougher go to expert and its tougher, thats the way it should be.50 bucks is a hard way to find out there is no place for a rookie to start out.one more thing, the cars sound like they're under water, i don't get it.i was able to win on the road courses and i found the winners circle was pertty neat, maybe one of the few things i would change on the 2002 game.so its just like ea sports to have one good game and then go nuts on the next few games. for someone who makes the very best formula one games they just get nuts with nascar, to bad.
Doesn't get any better for NASCAR fans, October 31, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from West Islip, New York United States
Great racing game, phenomenol for NASCAR enthusiasts. Extra items (thunder plates, lightning challenges) add to the fun over last year's version. Career mode is great- more complex and challenging than previous versions. Keeps you interested and playing for hours and hours. More tracks, more drivers, and its greating bringing Dale back to the Winners Circle. *****
too hard for rookie, October 31, 2002
Reviewer: jack a mariotti from plymouth, ct USA
nascar t. 2002 was great and then 2003 came out as a rookie they expect you to set up your car? even when you do set up your car and its good you more than likely will lose anyway they have made it so hi tech its too hard for a rookie to get it. the car sounds like its under water whats up with that? i loved 2002 sounds right down to the racing gearbox noise. so in my opinion they as usual over did it as they have with almost all of the nascar games, to bad. when jr finds out its a loser he gonna kick some but, hes on the cover.
EA Towers Above the Competition Once Again!, October 20, 2002
Reviewer: alankelly from Princess Anne, Maryland United States
I picked this one up as a rental, but it will surely be added to my collection soon. EA should be proud, as 2003 easily outdoes last years version of Thunder.
While I didn't notice big difference in the graphics department, I have to applaud their reworked controls. The cars are now easier to handle (so much even the Mrs. can now compete with me... aka hard-core gamer), and the overall game experience is even better than before.
I love the addition of the fantasy tracks, and I'm sure that Die-hard Nascar fans will go crazy over the Daytona track of old (theres sand on this one!)that makes an appearance.
Gamers can unlock hidden cars as usual (does the #3 ring a bell with anyone out there?), or choose to unlock favorite paint schemes of their drivers of choice. This of course means you need to win some races on the hard mode.
The difficulty level is varied, as I found the Rookie setting to offer a decent challenge. The veteran mode;however, was quite difficult. I still haven't made it to victory lane yet with this setting.
The crashes were intense, and EA finally learned a rule of Nascar (and reality) that totaled cars can't possibly pass you (the leader) two laps later.
In all I was stunned and greatly pleased with this years version of Thunder. Add it to your collection immediately! I will.
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