NASCAR(r) Racing 2003 Season

There are lots of NASCAR racing games on the market, some are very very good and some are barely worth mentioning. This game will fit in the very very good category. Read on die-hards and I will give you the full scoop.

When I recently did the Beta Test for this game, I was amazed at the level of detail that went into it and was hoping that all those details would make it to the retail version of the game. Sometimes the content of the Beta will differ from the full version release. Well, I was not disappointed, in fact I was very happy to see all the detail was there plus more!

Papyrus Racing and Sierra have gone to great lengths to bring us the most realistic racing simulation to date. First they have bump mapped each and every track to give you a more realistic feel when using a force feedback driving controller. What is bump mapping? As we all know, race track surfaces are just like the real roads we drive on everyday. They are made of concrete and asphalt, both of which, when used to build a road are far from perfectly smooth. They have cracks, dips, patches, changes in texture and grip, and so do race track surfaces. Bump mapping takes those imperfections and translates them into twitches and bumps we can "feel" with our force feedback controllers. When you add these twitches and bumps with the "cockpit jitter" (the view from the cockpit moves and shakes as if the car were reacting to track conditions) the results are a fantastic "feel" that is different for each track. Now that is cool! But far from the end of the improvements, lets also add some new physics that figure in the effects of wear, air pressure, and heat on the tires. Now we have to keep an eye on track temperatures as if we didn't have enough to do already. So it's time to pit and change those tires and you head down pit row, wait...what is this? Pit row is now fully occupied! Full pit crews for every car is going to make it a lot more difficult to find your pit and get in without banging into someone else! And these are but a few of the great new details added to the wonderful world of NASCAR racing.

More new features include:

*This is the first game with all the 2003 drivers, teams, sponsors, and all 23 Winston Cup Tracks including the newly renovated Infineon Raceway and the New Hampshire International Speedway!

*New 3D graphics provide a dynamic race environment where dirt and oil accumulate on your windshield and sun glare create a real racing challenge.

*Technical partnerships with Goodyear and Jasper Motorsports enhance the physics models to give the drivers a more accurate and unparalleled racing experience.

*Bump mapping for each track lets you "Feel" the track like never before.

*New AI system allows rookies and pros to race fender to fender as the computer field of racers automatically adjust to the racers skill level.

*A fully populated pit row with crews, war wagons, signs, flags, and aerial objects make finding and getting into your pit an all new experience.

*Driving tutorials and driving lessons cover every aspect of NASCAR driving and setting up your car, these are invaluable and very well done.

*Full 42 car fields are available to race online via LAN or Internet.

Now I did put this game through it's paces and raced every track (even though I did not have the time to find the ultimate set up for each) and was blown away at the details in each track. This game has a very high level of detail in every area from the cars to the track side objects, to the sky. Everything is well finished and looks great. The driving experience was second to none. Using the New Logitech MOMO Racing Wheel (Full Force Feedback), coupled with the bump mapping done on these tracks, provided a "feel" that is not found in any of the other NASCAR titles I own or have driven. That "feel" is more realistic than anything currently on the market today, in fact, the only thing lacking is the "smell" of burnt rubber and fuel!

Interfaces between screens and options is very well laid out and extremely easy to use. This is a good thing when you have as many tuning options as this game. As with real racing cars, every part of these cars are tunable from tire air pressure, to spoiler angle, to spring rates, to rear end gearing. You can even adjust the amount of grill tape you use, and every adjustment DOES have an effect on your cars handling and overall speed. The default set up will get you racing, but...there is always room for improvement. Just remember to make your changes one at a time and test test test. (I am pretty sure that within a month or so there will be plenty of good set ups out there, however trying to get someone with a good set up to share it with you may be a little like pulling a tigers teeth!) So it may be best to work up your own set up and test it until you are happy with it.

The LAN/Internet connections to this game are great. The user interface is easy to use and provides full lists of other drivers, tracks, and connection speeds that are ready for play. The internet play was very good though lag can be found with drivers still on dial up modems. I have found that DSL/Cable users usually with race with themselves and ask Dial up modem drivers to do the same. Now this may sound a little unfair, but does serve a good cause. DSL/Cable users are connected at a much higher speed than dial ups and thus play together without much lag. However put a dial up driver in the same race and lag does occur and can be rather hazardous. The dial up racers creates lag in the system due to his slower speed and without warning his car may disappear from the screen only to reappear in a most dangerous place as his modem catches up with the play. This sometimes causes crashes and you can see why the drivers try to keep the different speeds separate.

This may be the best racing game to date, it has caught my full attention and is currently the only game on my "Top Shelf"

GAMEPLAY: 9.8
This game plays like a dream. Controls are easy to set up and use. Tons of options let you set up the game to fit your likes and your computers capabilities. This game also gives you a "Complete" package, all the drivers, all the cars, all the tracks, and all the details! Several play modes let you race a single race or a whole season against the computer or via the Internet or LAN against real drivers. Given the amount of car tuning options, you can tune cars till the cows come home! And with all the cars and tracks, this game has tremendous replay value

GRAPHICS: 9.5
Stellar graphics give your eyes plenty to look at and it all looks good! Views from inside the car are the best I've seen yet, and a full pit row is a sight to behold! The illusion of speed is very good, especially if your upside down and spinning down the back straight! Perhaps the only improvement is in the area of crash damage, but that may be a question of physics as well as graphics.

SOUNDS: 9.2
"Drivers start your engines!" From that point on you might as well be "IN" the car, the sounds are fantastic, full, and ultra-realistic. Play it as loud as you can get away with!

DIFFICULTY: Variable
Because of the new AI system that automatically adjusts the computer field to the drivers skill level, the game is always challenging. Set up and gameplay are easy enough to manipulate.

CONCEPT: 9.2
While the basic NASCAR game format is not new, there are several new additions that add tremendous impact to the "same old game". A full pit row is something that is a real treat, as is the bump mapping of the tracks. Add that with the new physics and graphics and it changes the whole game, and I LIKE IT!

MULTIPLAYER: 9
Some of the best online racing I have ever seen! Easy interface allows you to pick the track and connection speed that suits you. Full 42 car fields are available online.

OVERALL: 9.5
This game has brought some new cards to the table, new graphics that are great, some new physics that are so realistic, all the newest drivers, cars, and tracks, and force feedback features that will leave you as tired as if you had driven a 500 mile race!  The overall package is an ultra-realistic racing experience that is unequalled at this time. In this ever expanding world of gaming, you often hear the remark "This is the Best!" only to have another game the following month that is also "The Best!", and they might both be the best. Given the rate at which technical advancements are progressing, it is possible for "the Best" to change at almost any time.

This is currently the best available at this time! The Dog gives it the highest ratings, and two thumbs up....now if you'll excuse me, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and I have a small score to settle over at Daytona.....