NASCAR Thunder 2003

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
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  1. RickM.
    Mar 9, 2003
    9
    I think it is the best nascar game ive ever played but needs to improve.
  2. ChrisK.
    Nov 8, 2002
    10
    This Game is Awesome. the graphics are great. i like the career mode probably the most. wonder what the next one will look like.
  3. RichardS.
    Jul 20, 2003
    10
    The best nascar game yet, realistic.
  4. JoshB.
    Dec 25, 2002
    10
    One of the most real, race games around!!!!!!!!
  5. Matt
    Feb 22, 2003
    10
    If you bought "Dirt to Daytona" instead of "Thunder", take it to your backyard and bury it in the dirt!
  6. KurtB.#1
    Dec 7, 2002
    10
    This game is awesome. I pick my favorite driver (kurt busch), the best looking paint scheme(the red one), and the track(daytona...duh) simple as that.
  7. BrandonH.
    Sep 27, 2002
    8
    Good game, but doesn't hold a candle to some of the games offered on pc such as nascar racing 2002 season. The graphics are a huge improvement from last year and the controls are good to overall a great game but i'm more excited about the upcoming grand theft auto game we all know about.
  8. JamesT.
    Dec 15, 2006
    9
    This games was the best nascar game up until 2003 and the graphics and sense of speed is awesome.
  9. BlueThunderfan
    Aug 24, 2013
    9
    I have had this game for a long time, and I can say it is one of the best racing games in the ps2 library. the graphics are great for 2002. the music is good, albeit limited. the AI is solid, it has possibly the best career mode in a Nascar game, and most importantly, it's very fun! it is a fantastic game that succeeds in all categories.
  10. 99thRangernick
    May 25, 2023
    10
    I honestly prefer NASCAR Thunder 2003 over the more beloved (by NASCAR fans at least) Thunder 2004. The career mode feels less complex and straightforward in this game compared to 2004 and I prefer the physics and bonus modes in this game versus the ones included in 2004.
  11. mmcfly566
    May 25, 2023
    10
    My personal favorite NASCAR game, amazing gameplay and career that can be enjoyed by all NASCAR fans.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best PS2 Game of 2002
83
#83 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. GameSpy
    85
    The balance between pleasing hardcore gamers while pleasing Joe Gamer is astounding.
    Read full review
  2. netjak
    80
    The create a driver mode is well executed, and is yet another way in which you can expand the replay value. The best NASCAR game available on the PS2, and one of the best racing games overall.
  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    90
    Blows the doors off anything that came before it. [Nov 2002, p.283]
See all critic reviews »