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
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Game Informer
    80
    Despite the improvements made to this year’s title – including a noticeable bump in graphical quality – it still doesn’t have all the corners dialed in yet. AI cars take better racing lines than in 08, but they still don’t show near enough variety or smarts to pit at different times, take rim-riding race lines, or avoid plowing into each other during a caution.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    80
    It has plenty of star power and lots of different ways to play. However, it doesn't really have much in the way of innovative automotive gameplay, which really hinders it from being a must-own title.
  3. G4 TV
    80
    Players who were burned by last year's NASCAR game should feel quite a bit better with 09. Although I personally miss the "Total Team Control" feature from a couple of years back, the new Rep and Career mode is compelling enough to keep you coming back for more. Solid graphics, solid racing, solid features.
  5. GameZone
    79
    Very similar to the other games in the series, albeit with more polish. If you wanted more of the series’ past experiences, NASCAR 09 delivers that and then some – but not with the same level of amazement the series once had.
  6. GameTrailers
    79
    Yes, there are still some big licensing issues, and the AI still makes the same odd, boneheaded moves, but overall, NASCAR 09 is extremely playable, and should satisfy console gear heads looking to climb the ranks and make the chase.
  7. PSX Extreme
    78
    NASCAR 09 may not be an extremely pretty game to look at, but it's certainly not ugly. What it lacks in eye-candy, it makes up for a solid NASCAR experience that enthusiasts of the sport should really enjoy.
  8. GameFocus
    76
    NASCAR 09 is far better game than last year’s...but it still a long, long way from what we’ve seen in "NASCAR 06," which I still think was and still the best NASCAR game ever.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

All reviews »
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 »
See all user reviews »