role-playing

I have played every version of NASCAR Thunder since the PC version. I generally have enjoyed the introduction of Career mode. I played 2003 for over a year! Needless to say, I was REALLY looking forward to 2004.

Unfortunately, in spite of a dramatic improvement in car physics, graphics, and career; the game needs a lot more tuning by EA.

I have played the other versions in Legend mode with reasonable career success (switching to legend after a few years of veteran development)

I just completed a 36 race career season on ROOKIE, and the following are my observations:

Qualifying is INSANE to IMPOSSIBLE your rookie year. Qualifying 43rd in spite of running great lines is the usual.

Rivals are OUT OF CONTROL. I play with REAL DAMAGE, and completing a short track race at the 5% race length after starting 43rd is a real challenge. This needs to be toned down dramatically!

What happened to crew development? at the start of the second season my 98 potential crew guy had the same attributes. (There is no documentation on how potential and crew development work in 2004)

The engine sounds are now totally LAME. Go back to 2003 sounds

Automatic transmission NEVER downshifts... This has always been an issue. Need the ability to force a downshift when using automatic.

Ah, I must admit, I'm 14, but I didn't really feel like going through the sign up just to review one game thing, since I ain't got any things to buy anythin' with, so ignore my age in the box.

Anyways, I give this game 5 stars. On a previous read review, something like this was said. "You can't spin out unless you turn your car to the loose side." Well, actually, it's very easy to spin out, I've done it with 1.5 Wedge. Only problem is, you cannot spin out in Career mode, since being sideways brings out a caution, (which I do a lot to help me). Also, on another previous read review, if you break your engine doing donuts, you're stupid. No offense meant. To many who read this and are confused on how to do a donut, go into practice anywhere, 'Dega is best to practice on, just hold the break down, then hold down accellerator, wait 5 seconds, then let break go. And just release and press again on the accell after every two spins, it's just that easy.

And yes, Career mode is challenging, but for anyone who wants to have some fun, have on your first year, the AI as rookie, and the race length as 25%, and 6, or even better, 9 races away from the EA Sports 500 at Talladega Super Speedway, if you are 9 races away, sell one body, one chassis, and one engine, and start building. But do from atleast 6. And if you're as good as me, you'll have minimal damage after the race, and a top 20 ATLEAST! (In my second year, I WON the EA Sports 500 just by pitting right, and a whole lotta prayer, but please, do not repeat what I did after the race. I grabbed a bottle of Rootbeer, ran outside, shook it up, and sprayed all over. I was just that excited ^.^) But yeah, have fun with that.

Sorry for turning this from a review to a help, but I'll bet this helped a lot of you people ^.-, plus Kansas Motor Speedway is after 'Dega, and I am Greatest at Kansas, no matter what condition my things are in.

So, overall, I think the only thing that needs improv....actually, I don't think anything needs improvment. Actually, to all you Nascar Fanatics out there, We CANNOT buy another Nascar game after this. New game = All that new points crap, and.....no.....No Rockingham! *Sniffle* It's just wrong to not have Rockingham on the list. Don't y'all agree?

I bought this game a couple of days ago and I have to say, it was worth 45 of those 50 dollars. The gameplay is so realistic, despite the fact that you can't spin out to save your life unless you rig your car on the loose side (i do that often). Another thing that sucks about this game is the career mode. What an aweful car you have! I cant help but use a provisional before every single race. But then again, there are some friggin awesome things about this game. When you tend to trade paint on the tracks, sparks come out. You can really see it during night races. Also, if you piss someone off on the track by giving him a little nudge during the race (or big nudge), he'll retaliate when he gets the chance by giving YOU a little nudge (or big nudge) back! I found that pretty awesome. The pits are so realistic. I like how you have a slight chance of making an error during a pit stop. It gives it a more realistic feel because as most of you know, not all pitstops are perfect. If one of them do make an error, it shows that very person who made the error so you can (if you want to that is) release that person and get another person, but you can only release team members in career mode. I'd say this game is four out of five stars. If your a huge Nascar fan, go to your nearest store and buy this game now! Even if your not, go and buy it. It's that good.