NASCAR Thunder 2002

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. ScottB.
    Feb 6, 2002
    9
    It's good, but why can't you race a full season in career mode. Why only 12 races, I want all 34 races in career mode then a 10 rating!!!
  2. BubbaF.
    Jan 3, 2002
    10
    Nascar Thunder kicks ass! The night I bought this game, I played it for 6 hours straight! I love it!
  3. CaseyS.
    Jan 4, 2002
    10
    I got it and thought I was watching TV... Love ea sports.
  4. Jason
    Nov 30, 2001
    10
    Best game ever made, most graphical nascar game.
  5. [Anonymous]
    Oct 20, 2001
    9
    Very good game, career mode sucks.
  6. ChrisN.
    Feb 4, 2002
    10
    Graphics are great best I've seen in a nascar game. Better handling than crappy Nascar 4 for pc. And a lot better AI than Nascar 4.
  7. R.Olson
    Jun 3, 2005
    10
    Im addicted probably the best racing game out there next to 04' and 05'
  8. JosueL.
    Nov 25, 2001
    9
    This is a great game and if you don't like the music change it under the options mode MORON! Country Hick HA!
  9. TravisF.
    Oct 18, 2001
    10
    This game is the best NASCAR game I hav ever played. I ecspecially love the Dodges. Its worth saving up money for.
  10. BRIANF.
    Oct 23, 2001
    10
    Easily the most fun NASCAR game ever made, on any platform! I had NASCAR Heat, but got rid of it after playing this. EA and Tiburon just cannot be beaten when it comes to sports titles!
  11. SamB.
    Jan 26, 2002
    10
    I'd give it a 9.999999... on forever, 'cause it used some many Dale Earnhart records and had his # at the beginning...but he isn't in it!!! Other than that, it's perfect. The Car Creation is pretty in-depth. The Carrer and Sean modes are also great. The Graphics anywere in the game are so real it just blows you away. When I first put it in I couldn't get over the I'd give it a 9.999999... on forever, 'cause it used some many Dale Earnhart records and had his # at the beginning...but he isn't in it!!! Other than that, it's perfect. The Car Creation is pretty in-depth. The Carrer and Sean modes are also great. The Graphics anywere in the game are so real it just blows you away. When I first put it in I couldn't get over the graphics. Then when I played....man, I was KO'ed for the count. People who don't know anything about cars or racing can get mixed up with the menus and settings. I'm not the smartest car guy out there and I accidentally made my tire wear down all the way and poped my tires in the 1st lap. But it's a great game. I'd recommend this game to anyone at all ages.… Expand
  12. ToriW.
    Jul 16, 2002
    10
    This game is awesome if you know what your doing, but if not you really hate it!
  13. RyanM.
    Feb 13, 2003
    10
    One of the best racing games I've ever played. The graphics are great, but you may have trouble in the beginning getting all the details straight. I first played this game over my friends house, and I loved it so much I went out and bought it the next day. A must buy! Great addictive racing game.
  14. Stevo
    Dec 15, 2001
    10
    Best NASCAR sim yet.
  15. AndrewB.
    Feb 13, 2002
    9
    Real good for racing fans. So realistic.
  16. M.Ben
    Jun 29, 2002
    10
    Fantastic for Nascar fans (career mode is truly addictive).
  17. Jake
    Nov 28, 2001
    10
    Best game with Busch drivers and new Dodges!!!
  18. Frank85
    Jul 11, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. this was a great start to the nascar franchise on Playstation the season mode where u could upgrade car and pit crew was a must very good graphics for when the game came out… Expand

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best PS2 Game of 2001
44
#44 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
69
#69 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    82
    What really lights my fire is the Career mode…Second on my list of great stuff is the sweet control. [Dec 2001, p.244]
  2. Core Magazine
    67
    Makes enough nods to the uninitiated that it is an accessible game, but at the same time it retains the depth that diehard NASCAR fans demand.
    Read full review
  3. GameShark
    84
    The game itself just needs more depth; they should have put the Thunder Cards in like the PlayStation version.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »