Arctic Thunder

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

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 15 out of 23
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  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. G4 TV
    80
    While not terribly complex, the racing itself makes for excellent fun, and the intricacies and unlockable features are more than enough here to keep you coming back for more.
  3. 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.
  5. GameShark
    75
    This game would be the same if you were racing on a snowboard, a sled, or a greased up fat guy. Okay the greased up fat guy would probably raise the fun factor, but you get the idea.
  6. 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.
  7. GamePro
    60
    Moderately enjoyable with good replay value, but its many flaws really hinder what could have been a great romp in the snow.
  8. Game Informer
    50
    The game is nothing but an exercise in pressing X at the right time. [Nov 2001, p.110]
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  9. Core Magazine
    50
    Rampant slowdown exacerbates the already flawed gameplay mechanics, and the game can be played just as well with or without applying any amount of skill.
  10. GamerWeb Sony
    45
    In a field of its own somewhere near the bottom of the bottomless gaming abyss.
  11. Next Generation Magazine
    40
    An ordinary experience that’s as routine as a metronome. [Dec 2001, p.100]
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  12. TotalPlayStation
    40
    I don't want to beat a dead horse here; just avoid Arctic Thunder, and maybe Midway's next port won't fare so badly.
  13. 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.
  14. Adrenaline Vault
    40
    Only the most desperate sled-junky should bother with Arctic Thunder. Clearly inferior to its ancestor, this jerky ride suffers from terrible frame rates, sub-par sound, twitchy controls and mindless, repetitive gameplay.
  15. 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.
  16. GameSpot
    36
    Arctic Thunder is not fun. The gameplay is repetitive, and the game is easily one of the worst-looking PS2 games we've seen to date.
  17. 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.
  18. GamePen
    30
    It seemed like Midway wanted EVERYONE, no matter how bad they are, to be in the race. This might appeal to those who aren’t really good at this game, but it just takes away any skill needed to be a good racer and almost leaves it to blind and random luck.
  19. IGN
    30
    A poor game, with all of the markings of a bad game, from shoddy control, no skill required, and simply too many things happening on screen simultaneously.
  20. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    27
    On a system this powerful, nausea-inducing framerates should be a thing of the past. [Nov 2001, p.206]
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  21. All Game Guide
    20
    Even the game's trick system is automatic; there's literally nothing that takes any skill for you to do.
  22. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    20
    Virtually unplayable. [Nov 2001, p.152]
    All this publication's reviews
  23. TotalGames.net
    13
    It's simply so nut-twistingly rank, so grit-sandwichedly unpalatable that any speechless incredulity invariably gets rammed into your brain with more than enough force for it to pop right out the other side, leaving you gasping with an enlightened sense of faecel awareness.
  24. 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.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
72
#72 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
4.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 10 out of 16
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  2. 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.… Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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