Best NASCAR console games

[Turbojugend]

I've been on a bit of a NASCAR gaming kick lately. It sounds like the best games are all on the PC, but since I don't have have a gaming PC, I was wondering what everyone's favorite console NASCAR games are.

So far my favorite is NASCAR Thunder 2003 (Xbox original via XBox 360). As a newcomer to the sport, I really appreciate the way the game teaches you about the tracks, drivers, history, etc. Plus the Lightning Challenges and Thunder Plates are just plain fun to play around with, there are enough classic drivers and alternate tracks to unlock to keep to me entertained for hours.

The only other console game I've spent a decent amount of time with is NASCAR '14. It looks and plays well enough, even if it feels a bit soulless compared to the earlier games.

I have NASCAR 06: Total Team Control (Xbox) on order and I'm looking forward to that. Are there any other console games worth playing?

[Proof21]

Nascar Dirt to Daytona is my favorite console nascar game. Still enjoy it to this day.

[ILuvMN81]

Quote: Originally Posted by Proof21

Nascar Dirt to Daytona is my favorite console nascar game. Still enjoy it to this day.

Dirt to Daytona was far and away the best, no doubt. I wish it had the then Busch (now Xfinity) series but other than that, rock solid. The title tells it all and it lived up to it.

Bonus points to it for the Minnesota references

I liked EA's Thunder titles and tolerated the series until 2006. I tried 09 for 360 since I found it for $5 and yeah, seems like EA had completely lost interest in the series by then. The Jeff Gordon mentoring scenes were cool.

Any more news on NASCAR '15?

[SilentYetViolent]

^^^Agreed. Dirt to Daytona and Thunder 2004 are my favorites. Last couple of NASCAR games have been disappointing to say the least.

[Turbojugend]

Quote: Originally Posted by ILuvMN81

Any more news on NASCAR '15?

Nothing since the first press release, where they said it was basically going to be a skin update with some bug fixes. And it will be budget-priced.

[ILuvMN81]

Figured as much, ah well.

I'm a little disappointed they're being tight-lipped, but that's today's gaming industry for you. I get that there are a lot of people to please with licenses, a lot of various types of work to do, etc but that press release was almost two months ago now and nothing since.

I'm fine with it being budget priced, especially if the bugs from last year are at least contained.

[Turbojugend]

NASCAR 06 showed up in the mail the other day and I have to say, it's already my favorite of the bunch. It's basically an improved version of the Thunder series with a hugely expanded Career Mode that starts you off in the lower leagues of NASCAR, which I understand is a lot of the appeal behind Dirt to Daytona. There's also an interesting Team Control feature that allows you to give commands to other drivers on your team, which they may or not comply with depending on the situation. But my favorite new feature is Hero/Villain, which lets you help/intimidate other drivers, building allies/rivals throughout the course of the race. It's probably not great for those who are into pure racing, but I think it adds a lot of the character that is missing from NASCAR games.

NASCAR 06 is Xbox 360-compatible and I'd definitely recommend it for the current asking price (sub-$5).

[DRN73]

'06, Thunder 2004, and Dirt to Daytona are the best you're going to get on console for immersion and overall greatness.

NASCAR '09, while it isn't very in depth or anything, handles well enough and looks good. It can provide some challenge, and the AI isn't nearly as stupid as the Eutechnyx games.