NASCAR Thunder 2004

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 91 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 76 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 91
  3. Negative: 11 out of 91
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  1. jewseph
    Sep 1, 2005
    10
    I give it no hands down a f*$%ing 10.
  2. GoogalyM.
    Oct 1, 2003
    10
    Wish I could give it an 11, Oh Man this game rocks! We need more Lynyrd Skynyrd though ! I'm a billy and I love THIS GAME ! ! !
  3. PamelaM.
    Oct 8, 2003
    10
    Awesome... love how the drivers look like the guys!
  4. Yoyofromthedilliyo
    Oct 23, 2003
    10
    A nascar fan would not be disappointed, everything is great about this game...the only problem being never enough time to play. Raines fan???lolololololol
  5. ChrisC.
    Oct 4, 2003
    9
    Good sound game just one problem it froze up on me when with 3 players the winston race would not load.
  6. BenjamimW.
    Sep 11, 2003
    10
    I'm a huge nascar fan of Jeff Gordon and I'm fisten to get my race car and nascar thunder games help me out alot cause it teaches me about the cars and i have everyone so far so they can just keep on making them i love these games.
  7. BJCook
    Sep 19, 2003
    10
    I can't wait to get it! I can play this forever! and i do't even have it yet! Nobody is better than EA Sports! You guy's Rule!
  8. NateB.
    Sep 20, 2003
    10
    Love this game, the graphics are unbeleiveable and the game play is so smooth. I highly recommend this game!
  9. JonathanE.
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Finally some real racin not a bunch of cars goin in one line around a track. BUMP N' RUN.
  10. CarlB.
    Sep 20, 2003
    10
    I bought Nascar Thunder 2004 yesterday, and I am very impressed, it has great new features and is a great game!
  11. StefanA.
    Sep 7, 2003
    10
    I love Nascar, and im a Huge Dale Earnhardt fan, and i hope he will be in the game.
  12. LoganH.
    Jan 17, 2004
    10
    I love the game but i wish you could go in to the garage area or drive down the pits.
  13. RacnChampTRG
    Jul 15, 2004
    1
    EA sports sucks this game sucks just as much as the first one.
  14. BrandonW.
    Jul 9, 2004
    10
    Man, if you're a NASCAR fan you'll love this game. The NASCAR Thunder games prior to this were good, but the vengeful tactics of the AI racers makes you a little more wary of how you're driving. This game is the best of the best and i can't wait 'til NASCAR Thunder 2005 comes out.
  15. JamesT.
    Dec 15, 2006
    8
    This game is bettter than 2007 but 2003 still beats it.
  16. TaylorK.
    Oct 21, 2003
    10
    Once again EA Sports & Tiberon have created yet another masterpiece. this game has so many features that it draws you in,the lightning challenge was a little to easy as it took me less than two hours to get to the bonus round. Out side that this game plain kicks --- as for White boy and Wynads, you two should go back to making hogendaise and milkshakes cause you don,t know alot about Once again EA Sports & Tiberon have created yet another masterpiece. this game has so many features that it draws you in,the lightning challenge was a little to easy as it took me less than two hours to get to the bonus round. Out side that this game plain kicks --- as for White boy and Wynads, you two should go back to making hogendaise and milkshakes cause you don,t know alot about nascar. maybe you should break out the Atari and play pong again.EA Sports keep up the good work and i,am sure your fans will remain dedicated.Again thanks for another great year of Nascar.… Expand
  17. MeIdon'tknow
    Aug 29, 2003
    10
    Just the best racing game ever.
  18. NickC.
    Sep 12, 2003
    10
    The Best Game Ever.
  19. DarylW.
    Sep 12, 2003
    10
    This Games gonna be the BEST!!
  20. ChrisE.
    Sep 17, 2003
    10
    Huge improvement from last year. The only game I can sit and play for hours.
  21. MarkO.
    Sep 17, 2003
    7
    Still not as great as the Papyrus releases for the computer; it lacks in realism factors.
  22. PatrickD.
    Sep 18, 2003
    10
    I'm a huge nascar fan and from what I'm heard and read about on websites and stuff that Nascar Thunder 04 will be totally awesome! EA Sports you guys are freakin genius.
  23. ScottE.
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    I race cars in real life and this is by far the best and most realistic racing game i have ever had the pleasure of playing.
  24. Whyrad
    Sep 25, 2003
    1
    Should have went to Papyrus for nascar game rights. not even close to real like Papyrus was with there last nascar game. Not close to Nascar Heat either.
  25. MikeB.
    Sep 26, 2003
    9
    I gave this game a 9 because i thought it was the greatest nascar game out to date. Grudge matches are great. EA Sports you did a great job. And for the message from the white guy how bout you learn how to spell before you go and diss on EA Sports.
  26. JonathanG.
    Jun 2, 2004
    10
    I loved it. I olny wish you could drive into the pits on your own!
  27. [Anonymous]
    Aug 22, 2003
    10
    This game is great. i can tell and it hasn't even been released yet
  28. RobbyG.
    Sep 12, 2003
    10
    I love to drive on raceday but we I wish we could get the game early and have time to play then have to wait. I know it will be good.
  29. JeffB.
    Sep 12, 2003
    10
    This game is totally awsome!!!! What could go wrong?
  30. JacobB.
    Sep 14, 2003
    10
    This game is totaly awsome i cant wait to get im gona be playin for hours.
  31. RobertF.
    Sep 14, 2003
    10
    This game is the best yet. And another thanks to EA Sports for the Thunder series.
  32. JamieT.
    Sep 15, 2003
    10
    This game will rule.
  33. EddyC.
    Sep 17, 2003
    4
    Game looks awesome, but lacks the gameplay the old game had. The screen is too cluttered with popups and the fuel gauge isnt even close to visible. For someone that bought a huge tv and still played to this day with 4 players, you let me down EA Sports!
  34. AdamS.
    Sep 17, 2003
    10
    This game will rule, since 03 already did. Plus my boy Smoke is gracing the cover, and that Jeff Gordon fan who rated the game is a wimp.
  35. AJmacgyver
    Sep 17, 2003
    10
    This game is going to be the best Nascar game yet. No one can do better than EA. THUNDER ROCKS!!!
  36. LiamO.
    Sep 23, 2003
    6
    Has a nice look, but that really doesn't cut it. Handling is not good. The Grudge/Alliance AI is not so great either (why do 6 drivers give me a -40 when they hit me as part of a wreck i had nothing to do with?) Also...i gotta ask...what exactly do the drafting, passing, and blocking plates do? Some explanation might help on that one.
  37. MikeG.
    Sep 24, 2003
    4
    The game is ok, but is missing one thing for me...TONY RAINES. im a big raines fan and i cant believe he is the only full time driver not available.
  38. DerekB.
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Well I just got the game and I think it's great. watching all that can happen is great. building your career up and watching it grow is cool and I like the grudges and alliances part. I think it's a great game and it has already passed 03 as the better game (and 03 was great)
  39. WhiteGuy
    Sep 25, 2003
    7
    Wow dude ea u guys did awesome cuz this game is about 1 step from being great. wait no its not its the same as last year and u say ebay cuz i am sling it right away.
  40. Ps2-game
    Aug 10, 2014
    8
    This game is probably one of the better NASCAR games in terms of difficulty and just how much fun it is. It might not be for the intended purpose but wrecking your opponents going the wrong way around the track is very fun and addicting. This game got me into NASCAR when I was younger.
  41. Madeinbrazil123
    Nov 29, 2015
    10
    This game probably is the best EA sports Nascar game, with fun gameplay great graphics, 4 players local co-op , an amazing carrer mode and the lighting challenge mode with is still amazing today
  42. zacland21
    Mar 27, 2023
    9
    20 Years Later... Still THE Greatest NASCAR Console Game to date! Sad that this is the peak so far 9/10
  43. fakeSupers
    Apr 8, 2022
    10
    This game gets a solid 10/10. The physics, the graphics, the features, the soundtrack, and also the driver roster is pretty solid for a game that's way ahead of it's time.
  44. herman_5395
    Aug 20, 2022
    9
    Probably one of the best simcade racers out there still. Great career mode, fun but easy to understand physics, and other various features makes this great. The only reason why this isn't a 10 is due to a handful of bugs that are sometimes unavoidable (ex: have a caution come out while pitting on a 10% race on a plate track, and see how the AI like it).

Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PS2 Game of 2003
36
#36 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Deeko
    85
    Does an excellent job of representing the sport that it is supposed to replicate – the trouble doesn’t really lie in EA – it stems from a sport that is shallow - painfully repetitive to watch and even more so when you’re playing.
    Read full review
  2. IGN
    88
    As long as you don't come in expecting any serious realism in the driving model, there are many ways to play and enjoy this title...The game is simply PACKED with playing modes and features, all of which look and sound great.
    Read full review
  3. Maxim Online
    60
    Fanatics will tweak tire pressure, suspension, and build dynasties, alliances, and sponsorships; rookies can learn the nuances of drafting, passing, and holding position on dozens of real-world tracks.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »