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How Metascores Are Calculated
68
1942: Joint Strike
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
The road to victory begins with Jeff Gordon as he guides you through an all-new "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup" Career Mode on a completely-revamped 3D menu interface. With Jeff's help you can sign big-time contracts, build your reputation and earn valuable performance points by dominating in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Two new and entirely distinct handling models let you play NASCAR 09 at your speed. Forgiving "Normal" mode is perfect for getting a handle on the game, while "Pro" mode delivers the authentic, white-knuckle NASCAR racing experience. Own the Track lets you compete against your friends and other gamers at all of hte Sprint Cup Series venues. Every racer's stats are compiled and the best driver at each track is named for the ultimate in bragging rights. [Electronic Arts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 91
GameShark
NASCAR 2009 is a no-brainer purchase for fans of the sport, but also offers a high quality experience that any racing fan can enjoy.
 85
Official Xbox Magazine
Even if you’ve never owned a Budweiser jacket, NASCAR 09’s slick physics and engaging new racing options - including some addictive Sprint mini-challenges and absolutely seamless 14-player action on Live - will have you burning donuts in Victory Lane in record time.
84
Team Xbox
Consider NASCAR 09 the official ship-righting title for EA Sports stock-car franchise. First and foremost, NASCAR 09 is adept at entertaining a much winder audience than in the past. NASCAR 09 also looks and sounds better than any of its predecessors and comes equipped with more standard gameplay modes.
83
1UP
The action is intense, the off-track duties are compelling, and the overall game is rewarding. And it's definitely one of the first 360 racing titles to prove the standard Xbox gamepad is capable of accurately controlling this level of subtle-yet-complex driving. For that alone, EA should be congratulated.
80
Games Radar
Tiburon didn’t do any skimping this season; each aspect of the game is tight as a drum. NASCAR 09 easily trumps its predecessors as the best of this generation.
80
Cheat Code Central
It has plenty of star power and lots of different ways to play. However, it doesn't really have much in the way of innovative automotive gameplay, which really hinders it from being a must-own title.
80
G4 TV
Players who were burned by last year's NASCAR game should feel quite a bit better with 09. Although I personally miss the "Total Team Control" feature from a couple of years back, the new Rep and Career mode is compelling enough to keep you coming back for more. Solid graphics, solid racing, solid features.
80
Game Informer
Despite the improvements made to this year’s title – including a noticeable bump in graphical quality – it still doesn’t have all the corners dialed in yet. AI cars take better racing lines than in 08, but they still don’t show near enough variety or smarts to pit at different times, take rim-riding race lines, or avoid plowing into each other during a caution.
80
AceGamez
Quite how they've managed to take such a nice, concept-limited sport such as NASCAR and transformed it into a highly immersing videogame is unimaginable, but while this year's handling models and Sprint Driver Challenge mode will open its doors to newcomers and veterans alike, it's safe to say that NASCAR 09 remains a NASCAR fan favourite due to the nature of the sport.
79
GameTrailers
Yes, there are still some big licensing issues, and the AI still makes the same odd, boneheaded moves, but overall, NASCAR 09 is extremely playable, and should satisfy console gear heads looking to climb the ranks and make the chase.
78
GameFocus
NASCAR 09 is far better game than last year’s...but it still a long, long way from what we’ve seen in "NASCAR 06," which I still think was and still the best NASCAR game ever.
78
MEGamers
Finally a game for NASCAR fans to enjoy while still being accessible to new players.
73
Worth Playing
NASCAR 09 adds some notable additions such as Rep points and the Sprint Driver Challenge mode, but the core gameplay has not changed much at all.
70
Boomtown
I can now safely say that I've started to see the attraction of NASCAR.
70
WonderwallWeb
As NASCAR games go this is a mixed bag, fun to play and race, but terrible to look at.
70
Gamervision
If you’re looking for something to play one weekend, and you’re in a racing kind of mood, definitely give this a look. I wouldn’t commit more than a weekend to it though. Why should you?
70
GameSpot
NASCAR 09 isn't a tremendous step forward for the series, but it's a solid effort.
70
VideoGamer
NASCAR 09 isn't going to set tills on fire in the UK, but it's a solid racing game that offers something a little different to the likes of GT, Forza, PGR and GRID. It's not the most exciting of games to look at, but in the middle of the hustle and bustle of a race you need to be on your game if you're going to succeed.
70
GameDaily
NASCAR 09 doesn't change the pace of the popular motor sport racing series. However, EA Sports deserves praise for the inclusion of two handling styles, Pro and Normal, which make the game more playable than previous releases.
69
Ferrago
There's little reason anyone but a NASCAR fan will buy this game when there's things like GRID, Forza, Gran Tourismo and so forth flying about.
67
Gaming Age
While it is an improvement in almost every aspect from controls to options, it still isn't close to what fans of stock cars want to see from their beloved franchise.
65
IGN
There’s nothing special about this one. NASCAR 09 comes across less as a tribute to the drama, intensity and flair of one of America’s favorite sports, and more as a delivery system for advertising.
60
GameSpy
There's no denying that serious stock car fans that own an Xbox 360 or PS3 will enjoy hitting the track with this racer; it's just a shame it doesn't crackle with the personality the real sport has been known for.
60
Gamestyle
The online functions are hampered by the localization, which restricts Europeans to their own continent.
60
Official Xbox Magazine UK
But if you are one of those four ardent fans, you'll find this is a remarkably faithful representation of NASCAR and a vast improvement over last year's edition. [Aug 2008, p.88]
60
EuroGamer
There are moments as you roar around the tracks when NASCAR 09 is vastly more entertaining than you'd expect. Sadly these brief thrills are almost always muted by the typically sensible EA Sports corporate sheen, which ultimately reduces the game to another technically minded racer of limited scope rather than the over-the-top metal-shredding redneck rumble of the real thing.
59
Games Master UK
Stock car racing is an acquired taste; we like corners, track variety and racing intensity. [Sept 2008, p.81]
55
Console Monster
Overall, NASCAR 09 is not for the casual racing fan and will only be enjoyed by NASCAR enthusiasts.
52
Game Chronicles
The gameplay is bland and mercilessly repetitive, the cars and their AI drivers are all the same except for the paint, country music saturates every free moment, and Jeff Gordon has flames on his sleeves.
23
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Staggering to think that EA bare behind this tosh; hang your heads in shame, boys. [Sept 2008, p.86]
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