Having been a NASCAR fan for years, and seeing this game plugged during the races this season, I was ecstatic to be elected to receive this game for review! I couldn't wait for the mail to come. I spent two days pacing up and down the driveway, looking up and down the road for the man in the blue uniform that would bring to me the Hottest NASCAR racing game ever to be unleashed on the Playstation platform. My hands were clammy and shaky as I snatched the game from the mailman and sprinted back up the drive towards the house, yelling "Thanks" over my shoulder as I ran.

Well, I sure wasn't disappointed and neither will you. This game ROCKS from start to finish. This game has run almost nonstop at my house since it was received, between myself, the kids, my daughter's boyfriend, and all the neighborhood kids, it has been continuous NASCAR action for days on end.

Now on to the game, I'm sure you want to know more! First you get the Top 30 NASCAR drivers including Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Elliott, and many more. If that isn't enough you also get EVERY NASCAR VENUE, 23 tracks in all including the new Chicagoland and Kansas Speedways, as well as 13 additional fantasy road courses. Enough yet? Nope, 'cause you also get the option of racing a single race, race just short tracks, super speedways, or road courses, race half a season, or a FULL race season! You can even race the "Original" Daytona Beach course complete with sand, the track that birthed NASCAR racing as we know it today! And yes Race Fans, there's more....you also get the options to adjust your car to the track with tire pressure, wedge, down force, gear ratios, and much more.

This game gives you enough racing options and possibilities to keep you glued to your Playstation for hours, days, even weeks. The worst thing about playing this game is that you occasionally have to take real-life pit stops to eat and sleep!   This game is laid out very well, and has a very polished finish. Everything has been set up to give you a GREAT gaming experience with little to no hassle. The option set ups are easy and straight forward as are the car and track selections, and the game runs like the well oiled racing machines it simulates, smooth and fast!

If you are a NASCAR fan, or just like racing games in general then this is a MUST BUY! It is no wonder at all that this game is used by the NASCAR broadcasters to show the effects of wedge, tight and loose car settings, and the effects of down force, during the actual races. They know a good thing when they see it, I know a good thing when I see it, and now that you know it is a good thing.....Go Get It! In the last several years I have played (Driven) just about every racing game there is for the PSX, this one is truly exceptional.

 From the "OVALDOG", this game gets a BIG "Two Thumbs Up"

Gameplay: 9.5
This game is as smooth as they come! Every thing has been laid out to make it as simple and hassle free as it can be, and yet give you all the sounds, sights, and thrills of NASCAR racing.
 You are allowed to race as any of your favorite drivers in their authentic NASCAR machines. Set up you favorite car in the garage then take it for a test spin around the track of your choice in Practice, shoot for the pole position during Qualifying, shake out all the bugs during Happy Hour, then if your ready, sit behind the wheel of a NASCAR race complete with a pace car, announcers, pit stops, and of course a checkered flag!
NASCAR Thunder 2002 gives you all the options to race any track as any driver in any order you want, it just doesn't get any easier or better than this!
The list of game options is much too long to list here, but here are a few of the better features:
Instant Replay
Multiple Driver Views
ALL NASCAR VENUES! (not only do you choose which track but also the race length in laps)
Top 30 Drivers and Cars
Complete Car Set Up
Pit Stops you control
1 Player or Two Player Modes
Championship Points System
And MUCH More!

Graphics: 9
NASCAR Thunder 2002 deliver graphics as good as PSX can deliver! Lines are very smooth, great shadowing and light sources. Smoke, sparks, car damage, and pit crews are all very well done! Several different driver views are given and all are equally good. Instant replay views are smooth and clear. This game delivers everything with punch, I especially liked the sun beams and light spots through the windshield....nice effect!

Sound: 9
Again, this game delivers everything you should hear at a NASCAR race. Announcers announce the race field and the start of the race. Your pit chief stays in touch with you over the radio set in your car. The crowd ooooohhhs and aaahhhs at the great passes and the fantastic wrecks. The air wrenches buzz off nuts during your pit stops. Heck, the list goes on and on, everything that has a sound in real life has a sound in this game and the effect is absolutely great!

Difficulty: 7
This game gives you many options which can make the game more or less difficult as you progress through it. The real difficulty will be learning to tune your car to compete on a particular track. Learning to drive the car is pretty easy, learning to drive the car fast and clean is the challenge to this game!

Concept: 8.5
Game concept is exceptional, to be able to race any car as any driver on any track. That is a wonderful concept, add to that the fantasy tracks to add a little more spice to an already HOT game and what more could you ask for? ........maybe the ability to choose your own make of car, paint it up in your own colors, and add you own racing name?...hhhhmmmmmm I can see it now....OVALDOG RACING, Race With The Best, Get Bit Like The Rest.....yeah I'm liking it a lot!

Multiplayer: 7
NASCAR Thunder 2002 does give you a Two Player option and is Multi-Tap compatible.
The Two Player  options runs the game in split screen with each player having his own screen. This is pretty standard for PSX racing games and works well enough for this game, the bigger the TV screen the better.

Overall: 9
I really really really enjoyed this game! This one has great potential for repeat play as every single time you play it, the race will be different. The sounds and graphics are as good as allowed on the PSX platform. The game was well thought out and is easy to set up and play.
Yes, I am a racing fan and racing games are among my favorites, THIS game just found a new place at the top of the stack at my house as it will at your house! The only other piece of optional equipment needed for this game is a "crowbar," to help your loved ones pry you away from the controller when they have had enough....you will never get enough!