NASCAR Thunder 2002: Difference between revisions

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	{{distinguish\|NASCAR Racing 2002 Season}}		{{distinguish\|NASCAR Racing 2002 Season}}
	{{Infobox video game		{{Infobox video game
	\|title= NASCAR Thunder 2002		\| title = NASCAR Thunder 2002
	\|image= Nascar2002.png		\| image = Nascar2002.png
	\|caption= Xbox cover art featuring the car of ]		\| caption = Xbox cover art featuring the car of ]
	\|developer= ]		\| developer = ] <br/> ] <small> (PSOne version) </small>
	\|publisher= ]		\| publisher = ]
	\|designer=		\| designer =
	\|series= ''NASCAR Thunder''		\| series = ''NASCAR Thunder''
	\|engine= enhanced ''NASCAR Thunder'' engine		\| engine = enhanced ''NASCAR Thunder'' engine
	\|released= '''PlayStation'''<br />{{vgrelease\|NA\|October 2, 2001}}'''PlayStation 2'''{{vgrelease\|NA\|October 15, 2001}}'''Xbox'''<br />{{vgrelease\|NA\|November 15, 2001}}		\| released = '''PlayStation'''<br />{{vgrelease\|NA\|October 2, 2001}}'''PlayStation 2'''{{vgrelease\|NA\|October 16, 2001<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2001-11-18 \|title=GameZone.com - PlayStation 2 News - ASCAR Thunder 2002 Ships \|url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/10_16_01_05_04PM.htm \|access-date=2023-03-28 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011118153725/http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/10_16_01_05_04PM.htm \|archive-date=2001-11-18 }}</ref>}}'''Xbox'''<br />{{vgrelease\|NA\|November 15, 2001}}
	\|genre= ]		\| genre = ]
	\|modes=], ]		\| modes = ], ]
	\|platforms= ], ], ]		\| platforms = ], ], ]
	}}		}}

	'''''NASCAR Thunder 2002''''' is a ] ] developed by ] and published by ] that came out for the ], ], and ]. ~~The~~ ~~theme~~ ~~song~~ ~~for the~~ game is "]" by ]. It ~~is the fifth game in the~~ ] ~~of video games~~, and is the first of the series to have a new title (the other games simply read "NASCAR", followed by the year). ~~Notably, it is the first NASCAR game to feature alternate paint schemes on the cars. It featured the ] Champion ] on its cover and ] Champion ] on the disc.~~		'''''NASCAR Thunder 2002''''' is a 2001 ] ] developed by ] and published by ] that came out for the ], ], and ]. It is the fifth game in the '']'' series of video games following '']'', and is the first of the series to have a new title (the other games simply read "NASCAR", followed by the year).

	''NASCAR Thunder 2002'' was the first NASCAR game released for the Xbox and the second released for the PlayStation 2. ~~Game~~ ~~modes~~ ~~consist~~ of ~~Create-a-car,~~ ~~Quick~~ ~~race,~~ ~~Season~~ ~~mode,~~ ~~Career~~ ~~mode,~~ ~~and~~ ~~practice.~~ ~~Before~~ ~~every~~ ~~race,~~ ~~the~~ ~~player~~ ~~has~~ ~~the~~ ~~option to qualify for a~~ ~~position~~ at the ~~start~~ of ~~the race, get~~ to ~~know~~ ~~the~~ ~~track~~ in ~~practice,~~ ~~or 'race' other~~ cars ~~in Happy Hour~~. ~~The~~ ~~game has 35 drivers from~~ the 2001 Winston Cup season (minus ] ~~due to his~~ ], ~~but~~ ~~the~~ ~~game has many tributes to him including a black No. 3 screen on start-up)~~ and ~~several then-~~] ~~and~~ ~~fantasy drivers that can be unlocked.<ref>~~. ~~IGN.com.~~ ~~Accessed June 2,~~ ~~2012~~.~~</ref>~~		''NASCAR Thunder 2002'' was the first NASCAR game released for the Xbox and the second released for the PlayStation 2. The theme song for the game on the six-generation systems is "]" by ]. Notably, it is the first NASCAR game to feature alternate paint schemes on the cars. It featured the ] Champion ] on its cover and ] Champion ] on the disc.

			== Gameplay ==
⚫	The PlayStation version was separate from the PS2 and Xbox versions, included only 36 drivers, and included an instant-replay feature, fantasy tracks, only 18 drivers per race, and all of the alternate paint schemes were removed. A system of power-up/cheat cards and challenges, similar to Chase/Thunder plates and Lightning/Dodge Challenges in later editions, was a major game mode in this version.
			Game modes consist of Create-a-car, Quick race, Season mode, Career mode, and practice. Before every race, the player has the option to qualify for a position at the start of the race, get to know the track in practice, or 'race' other cars in Happy Hour. The game has 35 drivers from the 2001 Winston Cup season (minus ] due to his ], but the game has many tributes to him including a black No. 3 screen on start-up) and several then-] and fantasy drivers that can be unlocked.{{citation needed\|date=October 2021}}

		⚫	The PlayStation version was separate from the PS2 and Xbox versions, included only 36 drivers, and included an instant-replay feature, fantasy tracks, only 18 drivers per race, and all of the alternate paint schemes were removed. It also has a different intro without the #3 shown before the EA Sports logo. A system of power-up/cheat cards and challenges, similar to Chase/Thunder plates and Lightning/Dodge Challenges in later editions, was a major game mode in this version. It also included the Daytona Beach track.

	==Reception==		==Reception==
	{{Video game reviews		{{Video game reviews
			\| align = left
	\| state = <!--plain/collapsible-->
	\| align = <!--left/right/none/inherit-->
	\| PS = true		\| PS = true
	\| PS2 = true		\| PS2 = true
	\| XBOX = true		\| XBOX = true
			\| na = true
	\| GR_PS = 76%<ref name=grPS1>{{cite web\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PlayStation\|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/551243-nascar-thunder-2002/index.html\|work=GameRankings\|access-date=August 23, 2015}}</ref>
	\| ~~GR_PS2~~ = ~~86%~~<ref name=~~grPS2~~>{{cite web\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PlayStation 2\|url=~~http~~://www.~~gamerankings~~.com/~~ps2~~/~~526807-~~nascar-thunder-2002/~~index.html~~\|~~work~~=~~GameRankings~~\|access-date=August 23, 2015}}</ref>		\| MC_PS = 69/100<ref name=mcPS>{{cite web\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PlayStation Reviews\|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2002/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation\|website=]\|publisher=]\|access-date=August 23, 2015\|archive-date=November 14, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114230117/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/nascar-thunder-2002\|url-status=live}}</ref>
	\| ~~GR_XBOX~~ = ~~82%~~<ref name=~~grXBOX~~>{{cite web\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 for ~~Xbox~~\|url=~~http~~://www.~~gamerankings~~.com/~~xbox~~/~~535996-~~nascar-thunder-2002/~~index.html~~\|~~work~~=~~GameRankings~~\|access-date=August 23, 2015}}</ref>		\| MC_PS2 = 85/100<ref name=mcPS2>{{cite web\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PlayStation 2 Reviews\|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2002/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2\|website=Metacritic\|publisher=Red Ventures\|access-date=August 23, 2015\|archive-date=May 26, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526050438/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/nascar-thunder-2002\|url-status=live}}</ref>
	\| ~~MC_PS~~ = 69/100<ref name=~~mcPS~~>{{cite web\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 for ~~PlayStation~~ Reviews\|url=~~http~~://www.metacritic.com/game~~/playstation~~/nascar-thunder-2002\|~~work~~=~~MetaCritic~~\|access-date=August 23, 2015}}</ref>		\| MC_XBOX = 82/100<ref name=mcXBOX>{{cite web\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 for Xbox Reviews\|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2002/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox\|website=Metacritic\|publisher=Red Ventures\|access-date=August 23, 2015\|archive-date=December 14, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214064336/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/nascar-thunder-2002\|url-status=live}}</ref>
	\| ~~MC_PS2~~ = 85/~~100~~<ref ~~name=mcPS2~~>{{cite ~~web~~\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 ~~for~~ ~~PlayStation~~ ~~2 Reviews~~\|~~url~~=~~http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/nascar-thunder-2002~~\|~~work~~=~~MetaCritic~~\|~~access-~~date=~~August~~ ~~23, 2015~~}}</ref>		\| EGM_PS2 = 8.17/10<ref>{{cite magazine\|author=EGM staff\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)\|magazine=]\|publisher=]\|issue=149\|date=December 2001\|page=244}}</ref>
			\| GI_PS2 = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine\|last=Kato\|first=Matthew\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)\|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1717.34278.htm\|magazine=]\|publisher=]\|issue=104\|date=December 2001\|page=93\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113164712/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1717.34278.htm\|archive-date=November 13, 2004\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
	\| MC_XBOX = 82/100<ref name=mcXBOX>{{cite web\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 for Xbox Reviews\|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/nascar-thunder-2002\|work=MetaCritic\|access-date=August 23, 2015}}</ref>
			\| GI_XBOX = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine\|last=Kato\|first=Matthew\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)\|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1816.37261.htm\|magazine=Game Informer\|publisher=FuncoLand\|issue=104\|date=December 2001\|page=108\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113164719/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1816.37261.htm\|archive-date=November 13, 2004\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GamePro_PS = {{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine\|author=Jake The Snake\|date=September 13, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com\|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/16721.shtml\|magazine=]\|publisher=]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041212232354/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/16721.shtml\|archivedate=December 12, 2004\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GamePro_PS2 = {{Rating\|4.5\|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine\|author=Air Hendrix\|date=October 15, 2001\|title=NASCR Thunder 2002 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com\|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/17302.shtml\|magazine=GamePro\|publisher=IDG Entertainment\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041222015824/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/17302.shtml\|archive-date=December 22, 2004\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GamePro_XBOX = {{Rating\|4.5\|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine\|author=Four-Eyed Dragon\|date=November 29, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review for Xbox on GamePro.com\|url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18621.shtml\|magazine=GamePro\|publisher=IDG Entertainment\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041222064828/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18621.shtml\|archive-date=December 22, 2004\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GameRev_PS2 = B<ref>{{cite web\|last=Liu\|first=Johnny\|date=December 2001\|title=Nascar Thunder 2002 Review (PS2)\|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33598-nascar-thunder-2002-review\|website=]\|publisher=]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912222937/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/nascar-thunder-2002\|archive-date=September 12, 2015\|url-status=live\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GameRev_XBOX = B<ref>{{cite web\|last=Liu\|first=Johnny\|date=December 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 - Xbox Review\|url=http://www.game-revolution.com/games/xbox/racing/nascar_thunder_2002.htm\|website=GameRevolution\|publisher=CraveOnline\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040203042918/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/xbox/racing/nascar_thunder_2002.htm\|archive-date=February 3, 2004\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GSpot_PS = 5.8/10<ref>{{cite web\|last=Provo\|first=Frank\|date=January 24, 2002\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review (PS)\|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2842285/\|website=]\|publisher=Red Ventures\|access-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024646/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2842285/\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			\| GSpot_PS2 = 8.2/10<ref>{{cite web\|last=Provo\|first=Frank\|date=October 16, 2001\|title=NASCAR 2002 Review (PS2)\|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2818184/\|website=GameSpot\|publisher=Red Ventures\|access-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024644/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2818184/\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			\| GSpot_XBOX = 8/10<ref>{{cite web\|last=Ahmed\|first=Shahed\|date=November 16, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review (Xbox) \|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2825363/\|website=GameSpot\|publisher=Red Ventures\|access-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024645/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2825363/\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			\| GSpy_PS2 = (average)<ref>{{cite web\|last=Cauthen\|first=John\|date=December 5, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)\|url=http://www.sportplanet.com/features/reviews/thunder2002/ps2/\|website=]\|publisher=IGN Entertainment\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030226140331/http://www.sportplanet.com/features/reviews/thunder2002/ps2/\|archive-date=February 26, 2003\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GSpy_XBOX = 87%<ref>{{cite web\|last=Bub\|first=Andrew S.\|date=November 30, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)\|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/nascarthunder/\|website=]\|publisher=IGN Entertainment\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217082006/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/nascarthunder/\|archive-date=February 17, 2005\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GameZone_PS = 9/10<ref>{{cite web\|author=Ovaldog\|date=November 11, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review - PlayStation\|url=http://psx.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19000.htm\|website=GameZone\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813194153/http://psx.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19000.htm\|archive-date=August 13, 2006\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| GameZone_PS2 = 9/10<ref>{{cite web\|last=Bedigian\|first=Louis\|date=November 4, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review - PlayStation 2\|url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19000.htm\|website=GameZone\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101084333/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19000.htm\|archive-date=January 1, 2007\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| IGN_PS2 = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web\|last=Zdyrko\|first=David\|date=October 16, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)\|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/16/nascar-thunder-2002-3\|website=]\|publisher=]\|access-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024643/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/16/nascar-thunder-2002-3\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			\| IGN_XBOX = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web\|last=Boulding\|first=Aaron\|date=November 8, 2001\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)\|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/09/nascar-thunder-2002\|website=IGN\|publisher=Ziff Davis\|access-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-date=October 17, 2021\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024644/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/09/nascar-thunder-2002\|url-status=live}}</ref>
			\| NGen_XBOX = {{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref name=ngen>{{cite magazine\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)\|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen85Jan2002/page/n29/mode/2up\|magazine=]\|publisher=]\|issue=85\|date=January 2002\|page=28\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
			\| OPM_PS = {{Rating\|2\|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS)\|magazine=]\|publisher=Ziff Davis\|issue=52\|date=January 2002\|page=146}}</ref>
			\| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating\|4.5\|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)\|magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine\|publisher=Ziff Davis\|issue=51\|date=December 2001\|page=169}}</ref>
			\| OXM_XBOX = 6.9/10<ref>{{cite magazine\|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002\|magazine=]\|publisher=Imagine Media\|date=January 2002}}</ref>
			\| rev1 = '']''
			\| rev1_XBOX = {{Rating\|4\|5}}<ref>{{cite news\|last=Kent\|first=Steve\|date=April 2, 2002\|title=Xbox titles zoom into overdrive\|url=http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/040202_xboxoverdrive.html\|newspaper=]\|publisher=]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528171342/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/040202_xboxoverdrive.html\|archive-date=May 28, 2008\|url-status=dead\|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>
	}}		}}

	''NASCAR Thunder 2002'' received a mostly positive response from critics upon release. ], which assigns a ] ratings in the 0–100 range, calculated an average of 85 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews", based on seventeen reviews for the PlayStation 2 version,<ref name=mcPS2/> 82 out of 100 for the Xbox version, based on seventeen reviews for the Xbox version,<ref name=mcXBOX/> and 69 out of 100 based on eight reviews for the PlayStation version.<ref name=mcPS/> ] assigned it an average review score of 86% based on twenty-three reviews for the PlayStation 2 version,<ref name=grPS2/> 82% based on twenty-two reviews for the Xbox version,<ref name=grXBOX/> and 76% based on nine reviews for the PlayStation version.<ref name=grPS1/>
			The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions received "favorable" reviews, while the PlayStation version received "average" reviews, according to the ] website ].<ref name=mcPS/><ref name=mcPS2/><ref name=mcXBOX/> '']'' said that the Xbox version was "Graphically, a solid game, with great reflections, sun wash, damage modeling, persistent skid marks, and more."<ref name=ngen/>

			The game was a nominee for the "]" award at the ]' ], which was ultimately given to '']''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp\|title=5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners\|website=]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603022924/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp\|archive-date=June 3, 2004\|url-status=dead\|access-date=February 7, 2022}}</ref>

			{{clear}}

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist~~\|colwidth=30em~~}}		{{reflist}}

	==External links==		==External links==
			* {{moby game\|id=/nascar-thunder-2002}}
	*

⚫	{{EA Sports NASCAR ~~Series~~
	\| Previous_game = ]
	\| Next_game = ]
	}}

		⚫	{{EA Sports NASCAR series}}
	{{NASCAR video games \|state=collapsed}}		{{NASCAR video games \|state=collapsed}}

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	]		]
	]		]
			]

Latest revision as of 18:08, 14 December 2024

2001 video game developed by EA Tiburon and published by EA Sports Not to be confused with NASCAR Racing 2002 Season. 2001 video game

NASCAR Thunder 2002
Xbox cover art featuring the car of Jeff Gordon
Developer(s)	EA Tiburon Black Box Games (PSOne version)
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Series	NASCAR Thunder
Engine	enhanced NASCAR Thunder engine
Platform(s)	Xbox, PlayStation, PlayStation 2
Release	PlayStation NA: October 2, 2001 PlayStation 2 NA: October 16, 2001 Xbox NA: November 15, 2001
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer

NASCAR Thunder 2002 is a 2001 racing simulator video game developed by EA Tiburon and published by EA Sports that came out for the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. It is the fifth game in the EA Sports NASCAR series of video games following NASCAR 2001, and is the first of the series to have a new title (the other games simply read "NASCAR", followed by the year).

NASCAR Thunder 2002 was the first NASCAR game released for the Xbox and the second released for the PlayStation 2. The theme song for the game on the six-generation systems is "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Notably, it is the first NASCAR game to feature alternate paint schemes on the cars. It featured the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon on its cover and 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion Bobby Labonte on the disc.

Gameplay

Game modes consist of Create-a-car, Quick race, Season mode, Career mode, and practice. Before every race, the player has the option to qualify for a position at the start of the race, get to know the track in practice, or 'race' other cars in Happy Hour. The game has 35 drivers from the 2001 Winston Cup season (minus Dale Earnhardt due to his death, but the game has many tributes to him including a black No. 3 screen on start-up) and several then-Busch Series and fantasy drivers that can be unlocked.

The PlayStation version was separate from the PS2 and Xbox versions, included only 36 drivers, and included an instant-replay feature, fantasy tracks, only 18 drivers per race, and all of the alternate paint schemes were removed. It also has a different intro without the #3 shown before the EA Sports logo. A system of power-up/cheat cards and challenges, similar to Chase/Thunder plates and Lightning/Dodge Challenges in later editions, was a major game mode in this version. It also included the Daytona Beach track.

Reception

Aggregate score
Aggregator	Score
Aggregator	PS	PS2	Xbox
Metacritic	69/100	85/100	82/100

Review scores
Publication	Score
Publication	PS	PS2	Xbox
Electronic Gaming Monthly	N/A	8.17/10	N/A
Game Informer	N/A	8.5/10	9/10
GamePro
GameRevolution	N/A	B	B
GameSpot	5.8/10	8.2/10	8/10
GameSpy	N/A	(average)	87%
GameZone	9/10	9/10	N/A
IGN	N/A	8.3/10	8.5/10
Next Generation	N/A	N/A
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine			N/A
Official Xbox Magazine (US)	N/A	N/A	6.9/10
The Cincinnati Enquirer	N/A	N/A

The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions received "favorable" reviews, while the PlayStation version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. NextGen said that the Xbox version was "Graphically, a solid game, with great reflections, sun wash, damage modeling, persistent skid marks, and more."

The game was a nominee for the "Console Racing" award at the AIAS' 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which was ultimately given to Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec.

References

"GameZone.com - PlayStation 2 News - ASCAR Thunder 2002 Ships". 2001-11-18. Archived from the original on 2001-11-18. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
^ "NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PlayStation Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on November 14, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
^ "NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
^ "NASCAR Thunder 2002 for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.
EGM staff (December 2001). "NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 149. Ziff Davis. p. 244.
Kato, Matthew (December 2001). "NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 104. FuncoLand. p. 93. Archived from the original on November 13, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Kato, Matthew (December 2001). "NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 104. FuncoLand. p. 108. Archived from the original on November 13, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Jake The Snake (September 13, 2001). "NASCAR Thunder Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 12, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Air Hendrix (October 15, 2001). "NASCR Thunder 2002 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 22, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Four-Eyed Dragon (November 29, 2001). "NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 22, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Liu, Johnny (December 2001). "Nascar Thunder 2002 Review (PS2)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Liu, Johnny (December 2001). "NASCAR Thunder 2002 - Xbox Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Provo, Frank (January 24, 2002). "NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review (PS)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Provo, Frank (October 16, 2001). "NASCAR 2002 Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
Ahmed, Shahed (November 16, 2001). "NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review (Xbox) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
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External links

NASCAR Thunder 2002 at MobyGames

v t e EA Sports NASCAR
Main series	NASCAR 98 NASCAR 99 NASCAR 2000 NASCAR 2001 NASCAR Thunder 2002 NASCAR Thunder 2003 NASCAR Thunder 2004 NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup NASCAR 06: Total Team Control NASCAR 07 NASCAR 08 NASCAR 09
Other games	NASCAR Revolution NASCAR Rumble NASCAR SimRacing EA Sports NASCAR Racing NASCAR Kart Racing
Cover athletes	Jeff Gordon ('98, '02, '06, '09) Dale Earnhardt ('99, '00) Tony Stewart ('01, '04, '08) Dale Earnhardt Jr. ('03) Kevin Harvick ('05) Jimmie Johnson ('06) Elliott Sadler ('07, '09)

v t e NASCAR video games
1980s	Richard Petty's Talladega
1990s	Days of Thunder (1990) Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge ESPN SpeedWorld Kyle Petty's No Fear Racing Racing Racing 2 98 3-D Ultra Pinball 99 Challenge Racing 1999 Edition Revolution Racing 3 2000 Legends
2000s	Rumble 2001 Heat Racers Arcade Racing 4 Thunder 2002 Heat 2002 Racing 2002 Season Thunder 2003 Dirt to Daytona Racing 2003 Season Thunder 2004 2005: Chase for the Cup SimRacing 06: Total Team Control 07 08 EA Sports NASCAR Racing iRacing 09 Kart Racing
2010s	Gran Turismo 5 Days of Thunder (2011) The Game: 2011 Unleashed The Game: Inside Line Gran Turismo 6 '14 '15 Heat Evolution Forza Motorsport 6 Heat 2 Project CARS 2 Forza Motorsport 7 Heat 3 Heat 4
2020s	Heat 5 21: Ignition Rivals
Series	NASCAR Racing EA Sports NASCAR NASCAR The Game NASCAR Heat (2016–2020)

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