NASCAR 09

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
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  1. Worth Playing
    73
    NASCAR 09 adds some notable additions such as Rep points and the Sprint Driver Challenge mode, but the core gameplay has not changed much at all.
  2. GameDaily
    70
    NASCAR 09 doesn't change the pace of the popular motor sport racing series. However, EA Sports deserves praise for the inclusion of two handling styles, Pro and Normal, which make the game more playable than previous releases.
  3. GameSpot
    70
    NASCAR 09 isn't a tremendous step forward for the series, but it's a solid effort.
  5. PlayStation Universe
    70
    NASCAR 09 is a step in the right direction, but it’ll still be another year or so until the NASCAR franchise becomes a must-own to those other than diehard fans.
  6. Gaming Age
    67
    While it is an improvement in almost every aspect from controls to options, it still isn't close to what fans of stock cars want to see from their beloved franchise.
  7. Console Monster
    63
    Overall I enjoyed NASCAR 09 for a fair few hours, but I got bored after around 6-8 hours of play.
  8. Game Chronicles
    63
    Yes there are a lot of features that really make this game fun and interesting but there are a lot of other racing games that will hold your interest longer and are more entertaining.
  9. GameSpy
    60
    There's no denying that serious stock car fans that own an Xbox 360 or PS3 will enjoy hitting the track with this racer; it's just a shame it doesn't crackle with the personality the real sport has been known for.
  10. VideoGamer
    60
    It's hard to recommend the PS3 version though. With its slow frame rate and other graphical glitches it's nowhere near as polished as the Xbox 360 game, making this yet another port that hasn't been given enough care and attention.
  11. Video Game Talk
    60
    I hate to break it to fans of the sport but NASCAR 09 is not the be-all and end-all video game experience. This year's edition is decent but it doesn't stand out in any way and it doesn't really raise the bar of expectations.
  12. DarkZero
    60
    For the most part NASCAR 09 seems like a solid racer, and I guess it does a good job of simulating the real life product. It is rather boring though, as even if you are a petrol head at heart you can only have so much fun going around, and around and around.
  13. IGN
    59
    There’s nothing special about this one. NASCAR 09 comes across less as a tribute to the drama, intensity and flair of one of America’s favorite sports, and more as a delivery system for advertising.
  14. PALGN
    55
    NASCAR 09 is a competent shot at an enjoyable NASCAR videogame experience. Unfortunately, it falls short in too many ways and fails to develop over previous instalments in any meaningful manner.
  15. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    50
    Admittedly, NASCAR 09 packs enough performance to avoid outright embarrassment, but you'll need the blind devotion of a diehard NASCAR fan to overlook the game's disappointing lack of polish. [Aug 2008, p.73]
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Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best PS3 Game of 2008
91
#91 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. BruceBadgley
    Jul 20, 2008
    9
    I have pretty heavy, hands-on NASCAR background, and this game is as close to spot on as anyone has come to date. By far the best effort EAI have pretty heavy, hands-on NASCAR background, and this game is as close to spot on as anyone has come to date. By far the best effort EA has made in this series. Ignore most reviews, as the reviewers are usually biased because of their dislike for constent oval track racing.… Full Review »
  2. ErikJohnson
    Jun 11, 2008
    9
    This game is extremely fun. I bought into last years game, personally I was dissapointed with it. Mainly because the controls were very hardThis game is extremely fun. I bought into last years game, personally I was dissapointed with it. Mainly because the controls were very hard to pick up and play with, without investing alot of practice time. This year provides very easy to pick up controls, its extremely easy and fun to stay with the pack and challenge other drivers. The graphics are very nice, daytona could not look more life like. The online play which features up to 14 players is outstanding. Currently ive partaken in an online race with 5 other players, I experianced no lag and the driving was intense! I'm working through the driver challenges at the moment, and I have to say they are alot of fun thanks to the new controls this year. Last year featured the same sort of challenges. But now when you complete a few challenges a current nascar driver challenges you to beat him on a track. Before the challenge against the driver, a little video clip is provided with the driver throwing down his challenge to you. This is a nice little touch which adds to the overall realism of the experiance. Overall, I highly recommend this game to any fence sitters that were unhappy with last years edition. With refined controls and stellar graphics, this years nascar release is the best I've ever experianced. This game rivals the sprint driving experiance that you can partake in at real life races.… Full Review »
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