NASCAR Thunder 2002

{{Short description|2001 video game developed by EA Tiburon and published by EA Sports}} {{distinguish|NASCAR Racing 2002 Season}} {{Infobox video game | title = NASCAR Thunder 2002 | image = Nascar2002.png | caption = Xbox cover art featuring the car of [[Jeff Gordon]] | developer = [[EA Tiburon]] [[Black Box Games]] (PSOne version) | publisher = [[Electronic Arts]] | designer = | series = [[EA Sports NASCAR]] | engine = enhanced ''NASCAR Thunder'' engine | released = '''PlayStation''' {{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''' {{vgrelease|NA|November 15, 2001}} | genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]] | platforms = [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[PlayStation 2]] }}

'''''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 (console)|PlayStation]], [[PlayStation 2]], and [[Xbox (console)|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 (song)|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 of Dale Earnhardt|death]], but the game has many tributes to him including a black No. 3 screen on start-up) and several then-[[Nationwide Series|Busch Series]] 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== {{Video game reviews | align = left | PS = true | PS2 = true | XBOX = true | na = true | 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=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[Red Ventures]]|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> | 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_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> | EGM_PS2 = 8.17/10<ref>{{cite magazine|author=EGM staff|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|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=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[FuncoLand]]|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> | 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 = 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=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]]|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 = 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 = 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=[[GameRevolution]]|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|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=[[GameSpot]]|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) [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"]|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=[[GameSpy|SportPlanet]]|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=[[GameSpy]]|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=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|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 = 4/5<ref name=ngen>{{cite magazine|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen85Jan2002/page/n29/mode/2up|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|issue=85|date=January 2002|page=28|access-date=October 17, 2021}}</ref> | OPM_PS = 2/5<ref>{{cite magazine|title=NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS)|magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=52|date=January 2002|page=146}}</ref> | OPM_PS2 = 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=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|publisher=Imagine Media|date=January 2002}}</ref> | rev1 = ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' | rev1_XBOX = 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=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|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> }}

The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions received "favorable" reviews, while the PlayStation version received "average" reviews, according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name=mcPS/><ref name=mcPS2/><ref name=mcXBOX/> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|NextGen]]'' 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 "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Racing Game of the Year|Console Racing]]" award at the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|AIAS]]' [[5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], which was ultimately given to ''[[Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp|title=5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners|website=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]]|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>

==References== {{reflist}}

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

{{DEFAULTSORT:NASCAR Thunder 2002}} [[Category:2001 video games]] [[Category:PlayStation (console) games]] [[Category:PlayStation 2 games]] [[Category:Xbox games]] [[Category:NASCAR video games]] [[Category:EA Sports games]] [[Category:Sports video games with career mode]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Simulation video games]] [[Category:EA Tiburon games]]