# NASCAR Thunder 2002

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2001 video game developed by EA Tiburon and published by EA Sports

Not to be confused with [NASCAR Racing 2002 Season](/source/NASCAR_Racing_2002_Season).

2001 video game

NASCAR Thunder 2002 Xbox cover art featuring the car of Jeff Gordon Developers EA Tiburon Black Box Games (PSOne version) Publisher Electronic Arts Series EA Sports NASCAR Engine enhanced NASCAR Thunder engine Platforms Xbox, PlayStation, PlayStation 2 Release PlayStation NA: October 2, 2001 PlayStation 2 NA: October 16, 2001[1] Xbox NA: November 15, 2001 Genre Racing Modes Single-player, Multiplayer

***NASCAR Thunder 2002*** is a 2001 [racing simulator](/source/Racing_simulator) [video game](/source/Video_game) developed by [EA Tiburon](/source/EA_Tiburon) and published by [EA Sports](/source/EA_Sports) that came out for the [PlayStation](/source/PlayStation_(console)), [PlayStation 2](/source/PlayStation_2), and [Xbox](/source/Xbox_(console)). It is the fifth game in the *[EA Sports NASCAR](/source/EA_Sports_NASCAR)* series of video games following *[NASCAR 2001](/source/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](/source/Sweet_Home_Alabama_(song))" by [Lynyrd Skynyrd](/source/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](/source/2001_NASCAR_Winston_Cup_Series) Champion [Jeff Gordon](/source/Jeff_Gordon) on its cover and [2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series](/source/2000_NASCAR_Winston_Cup_Series) Champion [Bobby Labonte](/source/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](/source/Dale_Earnhardt) due to his [death](/source/Death_of_Dale_Earnhardt), but the game has many tributes to him including a black No. 3 screen on start-up) and several then-[Busch Series](/source/Nationwide_Series) and fantasy drivers that can be unlocked.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

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

Aggregate score Aggregator Score PS PS2 Xbox Metacritic 69/100[2] 85/100[3] 82/100[4]

Review scores Publication Score PS PS2 Xbox Electronic Gaming Monthly N/A 8.17/10[5] N/A Game Informer N/A 8.5/10[6] 9/10[7] GamePro 4/5[8] 4.5/5[9] 4.5/5[10] GameRevolution N/A B[11] B[12] GameSpot 5.8/10[13] 8.2/10[14] 8/10[15] GameSpy N/A (average)[16] 87%[17] GameZone 9/10[18] 9/10[19] N/A IGN N/A 8.3/10[20] 8.5/10[21] Next Generation N/A N/A 4/5[22] Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine 2/5[23] 4.5/5[24] N/A Official Xbox Magazine (US) N/A N/A 6.9/10[25] The Cincinnati Enquirer N/A N/A 4/5[26]

The PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions received "favorable" reviews, while the PlayStation version received "average" reviews, according to the [review aggregation](/source/Review_aggregator) website [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic).[2][3][4] *[NextGen](/source/Next_Generation_(magazine))* said that the Xbox version was "Graphically, a solid game, with great reflections, sun wash, damage modeling, persistent skid marks, and more."[22]

The game was a nominee for the "[Console Racing](/source/D.I.C.E._Award_for_Racing_Game_of_the_Year)" award at the [AIAS](/source/Academy_of_Interactive_Arts_%26_Sciences)' [5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards](/source/5th_Annual_Interactive_Achievement_Awards), which was ultimately given to *[Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec](/source/Gran_Turismo_3%3A_A-Spec)*.[27]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["GameZone.com - PlayStation 2 News - ASCAR Thunder 2002 Ships"](https://web.archive.org/web/20011118153725/http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/10_16_01_05_04PM.htm). 2001-11-18. Archived from [the original](http://ps2.gamezone.com/news/10_16_01_05_04PM.htm) on 2001-11-18. Retrieved 2023-03-28.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mcPS_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mcPS_2-1) ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PlayStation Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2002/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Red Ventures](/source/Red_Ventures). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151114230117/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/nascar-thunder-2002) from the original on November 14, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mcPS2_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mcPS2_3-1) ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PlayStation 2 Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2002/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2). *Metacritic*. Red Ventures. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150526050438/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/nascar-thunder-2002) from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mcXBOX_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mcXBOX_4-1) ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 for Xbox Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/nascar-thunder-2002/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox). *Metacritic*. Red Ventures. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151214064336/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/nascar-thunder-2002) from the original on December 14, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** EGM staff (December 2001). "NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)". *[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)*. No. 149. [Ziff Davis](/source/Ziff_Davis). p. 244.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Kato, Matthew (December 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20041113164712/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1717.34278.htm). *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. No. 104. [FuncoLand](/source/FuncoLand). p. 93. Archived from [the original](http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1717.34278.htm) on November 13, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Kato, Matthew (December 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20041113164719/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1816.37261.htm). *Game Informer*. No. 104. FuncoLand. p. 108. Archived from [the original](http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200112/R03.0804.1816.37261.htm) on November 13, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Jake The Snake (September 13, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20041212232354/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/16721.shtml). *[GamePro](/source/GamePro)*. [IDG Entertainment](/source/International_Data_Group). Archived from [the original](http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/16721.shtml) on December 12, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Air Hendrix (October 15, 2001). ["NASCR Thunder 2002 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20041222015824/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/17302.shtml). *GamePro*. IDG Entertainment. Archived from [the original](http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/17302.shtml) on December 22, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Four-Eyed Dragon (November 29, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review for Xbox on GamePro.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20041222064828/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18621.shtml). *GamePro*. IDG Entertainment. Archived from [the original](http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18621.shtml) on December 22, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Liu, Johnny (December 2001). ["Nascar Thunder 2002 Review (PS2)"](https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33598-nascar-thunder-2002-review). *[GameRevolution](/source/GameRevolution)*. [CraveOnline](/source/CraveOnline). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150912222937/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/nascar-thunder-2002) from the original on September 12, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Liu, Johnny (December 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 - Xbox Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040203042918/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/xbox/racing/nascar_thunder_2002.htm). *GameRevolution*. CraveOnline. Archived from [the original](http://www.game-revolution.com/games/xbox/racing/nascar_thunder_2002.htm) on February 3, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Provo, Frank (January 24, 2002). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review (PS)"](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2842285/). *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*. Red Ventures. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024646/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2842285/) from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Provo, Frank (October 16, 2001). ["NASCAR 2002 Review (PS2)"](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2818184/). *GameSpot*. Red Ventures. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024644/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2818184/) from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Ahmed, Shahed (November 16, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review (Xbox) \[date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"\]"](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2825363/). *GameSpot*. Red Ventures. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024645/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nascar-thunder-2002-review/1900-2825363/) from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Cauthen, John (December 5, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20030226140331/http://www.sportplanet.com/features/reviews/thunder2002/ps2/). *[SportPlanet](/source/GameSpy)*. IGN Entertainment. Archived from [the original](http://www.sportplanet.com/features/reviews/thunder2002/ps2/) on February 26, 2003. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Bub, Andrew S. (November 30, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050217082006/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/nascarthunder/). *[GameSpy](/source/GameSpy)*. IGN Entertainment. Archived from [the original](http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/november01/nascarthunder/) on February 17, 2005. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Ovaldog (November 11, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review - PlayStation"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060813194153/http://psx.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19000.htm). *GameZone*. Archived from [the original](http://psx.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19000.htm) on August 13, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Bedigian, Louis (November 4, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 Review - PlayStation 2"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070101084333/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19000.htm). *GameZone*. Archived from [the original](http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19000.htm) on January 1, 2007. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Zdyrko, David (October 16, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/16/nascar-thunder-2002-3). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. [Ziff Davis](/source/Ziff_Davis). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024643/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/16/nascar-thunder-2002-3) from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Boulding, Aaron (November 8, 2001). ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/09/nascar-thunder-2002). *IGN*. Ziff Davis. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211017024644/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/11/09/nascar-thunder-2002) from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ngen_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ngen_22-1) ["NASCAR Thunder 2002 (Xbox)"](https://archive.org/details/NextGen85Jan2002/page/n29/mode/2up). *[NextGen](/source/Next_Generation_(magazine))*. No. 85. [Imagine Media](/source/Future_US). January 2002. p. 28. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** "NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS)". *[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine](/source/Official_U.S._PlayStation_Magazine)*. No. 52. Ziff Davis. January 2002. p. 146.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** "NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PS2)". *Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine*. No. 51. Ziff Davis. December 2001. p. 169.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** "NASCAR Thunder 2002". *[Official Xbox Magazine](/source/Official_Xbox_Magazine)*. Imagine Media. January 2002.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Kent, Steve (April 2, 2002). ["Xbox titles zoom into overdrive"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080528171342/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/040202_xboxoverdrive.html). *[The Cincinnati Enquirer](/source/The_Cincinnati_Enquirer)*. [Gannett Company](/source/Gannett_Company). Archived from [the original](http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/040202_xboxoverdrive.html) on May 28, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040603022924/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp). *[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences](/source/Academy_of_Interactive_Arts_%26_Sciences)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp) on June 3, 2004. Retrieved February 7, 2022.

## External links

- [*NASCAR Thunder 2002*](https://www.mobygames.com/game//nascar-thunder-2002) at [MobyGames](/source/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 Road Racing 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 Road Racing 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 Ultimate Edition+ 21: Ignition Rivals 25 Series NASCAR Racing EA Sports NASCAR NASCAR The Game NASCAR Heat (2016–2020)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [NASCAR Thunder 2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_Thunder_2002) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_Thunder_2002?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.