NASCAR Thunder 2003

Rubbin? is racin?, and NASCAR Thunder 2003 has a fresh coat of paint for you to trade in its sophomore outing.

For NASCAR fans, it?s all about the drivers? personalities, and NASCAR Thunder 2003 delivers them in a big way. The pre-race intros in pit lane are worth watching again and again, and cool videos of drivers pop up all over the place. In the new Lightning mode, everyone from Dale Jr. to Tony Stewart introduces you to a famous race moment, then puts you behind the wheel to try to duplicate their feat. And in the new Thunder License mode, you follow your favorite driver around the track while he teaches you the best line. You?ll also find a 43-car pack, all the Winston Cup tracks and drivers, and a full Season mode.

The most remarkable new feature, though, is the cavernous Career mode. Starting as a raw rookie, you build a car and assemble pit-crew and fabricator teams. You manage an inventory of engines and chassis while carrying out R&D on better technology. You also hire and fire everyone ranging from your crew chief to your jackman, and oversee a host of sponsor deals. With even team-happiness and sponsor-prestige ratings to monitor, it takes on a distinct RPG-like feel that proves addictive and immersive.

As for the overall gameplay, it?s challenging and realistic with a sim-style feel much like Gran Turismo?s. If you?re not comfortable with manipulating gear ratios or practicing a track until you have its corners down cold, Thunder might prove more frustrating than fun. An ?Ask Petty? feature, just like Madden?s play-calling advisor, would?ve been immensely helpful for novices. Also, Career mode can be pretty tough at first because your car just sucks until you?ve put some serious cash and R&D into it. If you can?t stomach losing that much, Season mode lets you be more competitive right from the start.

Nicely tuned A.I. keeps the racing tight as cars break from the preferred line to attempt passes or even wreck dramatically right in front of you. Some wacky CPU behavior in pit lane sometimes mars the realism, though, and it?s often possible to cheat on corners and the like.

In general, the graphics are sharp but not dazzling, sporting glittering car models, detailed tracks, and slick lighting. The sense of speed is solid, but doesn?t always suggest a blistering 200mph pace. On the audio side, the highlight is the engines? throaty rumble, but the crew chief and MRN commentary team can be repetitive and occasionally off the mark. Even with all the assists on, the controls have a tight, demanding feel, and if you?re not wise in they ways of proper tactics or car setup, they can feel pretty squirrelly. Hardcore racers, though, will revel in it.

With NASCAR Heat 2 gearing up for a November start, stock-car fans have plenty of exceptional action to choose from. Judging from a preview version, Heat 2 will probably handle a bit better but look a bit worse, and its unique Career mode might appeal more to some gamers. But you can?t go wrong with Thunder?s excellent, exciting performance. Its hearty NASCAR personality will hugely appeal to fans, while its innovative and deep approach will reel in plenty of racing gamers.

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