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Nascar Thunder 2004 is an improvement over last year's game Nascar Thunder 2003. A new feature that EA Sports has decided to put in this year's version is the grudges and alliances during the race. With this new feature it makes the game feel more realistic when you race at tracks particularly at short tracks like Martinsville or Bristol where rubbing can be expected. If you don't race clean with the other drivers you can expect a rivalry between you and that driver or drivers that you got a rivalry with are sure to get some serious payback from them if they reach -60 or more, so you better race clean.

Another feature that EA decided to put in this game is the Speed Zone to teach you about passing, drafting, time trials, and blocking out on certain tracks, not only that there are also videos to help you become that better racer in NASCAR Thunder 2004. There are some game modes/features that are making a return for this year's game like Career, Lightning Challenge, and Thunder Plates. You still have to earn Thunder Plates to unlock Busch Drivers, or Legends such as Alan Kulwicki, Bobby Allison, and Richard Petty.

It's a good thing that this is the only NASCAR game this year because everyone should own it. Finally, EA got things right with the game. The new 'feelings' all the drivers have are great. You can get them to like you, or you can get them to want to bash your car into the ground. If you are like me, you'll love to take out the other cars as you passed them in previous games...but now I don't know if I should every time.

The control is a bit shaky as if you were actually driving a car. Gone are the days when you hit someone on their side and don't loose control a bit. Granted you can save the car most the time but at least you have to save it now. The graphics are much better than ever before. The faces of the drivers look like the drivers now. And the cars and tracks are very smooth.

If you played the previous games, you probably had limited damage on and every time something bad happened to your car you could just hit square and repair it right away. The damage control on this game is much pickier. So don't go wall bumping like I used to do as well. I actually hit the brake button for the 1st time when I bought this game...WOW!!! If you're not a big fan of braking though don't worry, you may get lucky on the short tracks and have a car on your right side the whole time...not likely, but possible.

Alot of the reviews are not good for this game. However, if you ever watched a nascar race on tv, that is all they do is go round and round. So that aside, in career mode you are responsible for signing sponsors, hiring your crew, and developing your race cars without breaking the bank.

It is a strategy game in a sense that you have to make money in the races in order to rebuild your cars and buy shop equipment. It isn't easy to race without hitting others, but you can make up some track time by taking on 2 tires instead of four. I run the races at about 10-15 laps so I don't get bored. The super speedways are the best, but if you dont like a particular track, you can simulate it and skip it.

I rented it for 2 weeks and will prob buy it.

I recomened this game to anyone who enjoys the pure thrill of the road, the excitement of speed, and the will to win.