Best version of nascar?

[bsb13]

I own nascar thunder 2004 and was thinking of upgrading to a newer version and was wondering out of 05, 06 and 07 which one is the best? or should I just stick with 04? Im not a hardcore nascar fan, So if the newer versions arent really that much of an upgrade it wouldnt kill me to stick with 04.

[Rodster]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Nascar 05 "Chase for the Cup" was the best in the series. Nascar 06 was a letdown and I didn't bother with Nascar 07.

[b_assassin]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Nascar 05 and/or Nascar 07 are the best in the series IMO. Nascar 06 was a huge disappointment, as the AI and default setups were poorly balanced, making it overly difficult and not really any fun. I believe that Nascar 07 corrected many of the mistakes from 06, but didn't really bring anything new to the table feature-wise (hence the lukewarm reviews).

The big upgrade from Nascar 2004 is the "Fight to the Top" feature, which was a new career mode that allowed you to race your way from the Modified series all the way up to the Nextel Series. This mode brought some needed depth to the game, and allowed you to race in modifieds, trucks, busch, not just the Nextel series. Nascar 07 improves on this mode somewhat by allowing you to skip some of the lower series depending on your driving skill. You have to race A LOT to work your way up, so being able to jump directly to trucks or busch makes the progression go faster, and less likely to get boring.

You can probably find Nascar 05 used for pretty cheap now, but if you want more up to date drivers and paint schemes, you can spend a little more and get Nascar 07.

P.S. - Nascar: Dirt to Daytona was also a very good game with a similar career mode, but I'm sure it would feel a bit dated at this point. It would be worth checking out if you'd be interested in a slightly different driving model and so-so graphics

[bsb13]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I will probably pick up a copy of 05 since I can get it a lot cheaper than 07. one quick question about 07 though, does it really feel like the speeds are faster with the blur effects and all? Cause one gripe I had with 04 is that it really didnt feel like I was driving at high speeds.

[b_assassin]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I will probably pick up a copy of 05 since I can get it a lot cheaper than 07. one quick question about 07 though, does it really feel like the speeds are faster with the blur effects and all? Cause one gripe I had with 04 is that it really didnt feel like I was driving at high speeds.

The blur effects certainly improve the sense of speed in 07. They really help things feel faster on larger speedways, less so on short tracks where the action is usually frantic enough to make things feel fast most of the time.

[bsb13]

Re: Best version of nascar?

The blur effects certainly improve the sense of speed in 07. They really help things feel faster on larger speedways, less so on short tracks where the action is usually frantic enough to make things feel fast most of the time.

I change my mind. I think I'm going to go ahead and get 07.

[Happy29]

Re: Best version of nascar?

If you have a strong enough PC and you want to spend the money go to ebay or amazon and pick up Nascar Racing 2003 season by papyrus and get you a good force feedback steering wheel. Trust me you will be pleased. There are so many mods for it The 1970 Grand national series, Aero War 88, Busch, Crafstman Truck, Iroc, coming within the next couple of months is the COT mod and there is many sites to get new cars

[Skyboxer]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Get copies of Papyrus' Nascar games for PC. They are still they best IMO.

[Rodster]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Get copies of Papyrus' Nascar games for PC. They are still they best IMO.

Last year I paid $100 on ebay for a copy and now they are selling for over $250 plus dollars.

[b_assassin]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Last year I paid $100 on ebay for a copy and now they are selling for over $250 plus dollars.

Yeah, getting a hold of Papy games now is pretty expensive. I can't deny they are the best Nascar Racing sim out there, but they require a pretty hefty investment in time and money (Game, PC + wheel) to get the most out of them.

I used to race in online leagues and spend hours practicing and tuning setups in NR2003, but I just couldn't keep up with it for very long. But, maybe I'll have to dust off that FF wheel and give it another run when the COT mod comes out

Oh, and to the OP: another reason to pick up Nascar 07 over 05 is that 07 has a a cockpit view and 05 doesn't.

[bkrich83]

Re: Best version of nascar?

They are going for that much? I still have Papy's NR: 2003. Best racing game I have ever played.

[Rodster]

Re: Best version of nascar?

They are going for that much? I still have Papy's NR: 2003. Best racing game I have ever played.

Right before the game went out of circulation I found a boxed copy for $9.99 at a local CC. I gave it away as a gift thinking EA's Nascar Sim Racing would be the new king. Once we all realized what a joke Nascar Sim Racing really was the price for Papy's game went thru the roof.

[pk500]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Console: NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup (EA)
PC: NASCAR Racing 2003 Season (Papyrus)

NASCAR 2005 lacks a cockpit view, which is a weakness. But it was the last EA NASCAR game without the unbelievably STUPID and unrealistic Total Team Control, so it's still a better game than NASCAR 06 or 07.

Nothing is even close to NASCAR Racing 2003 Season on the PC side.

Take care,
PK

[b_assassin]

Re: Best version of nascar?

Console: NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup (EA)
PC: NASCAR Racing 2003 Season (Papyrus)

NASCAR 2005 lacks a cockpit view, which is a weakness. But it was the last EA NASCAR game without the unbelievably STUPID and unrealistic Total Team Control, so it's still a better game than NASCAR 06 or 07.

Nothing is even close to NASCAR Racing 2003 Season on the PC side.

Take care,
PK

TTC was kind of a lame feature, but considering you are never forced to use it, I wouldn't really consider it a detriment. But thats just me...

[koebner]

Re: Best version of nascar?

TTC was kind of a lame feature, but considering you are never forced to use it, I wouldn't really consider it a detriment. But thats just me...

Yeah,TTC shouldn't be a factor in deciding which game is best...07s' driving model is at least as good as 05s',and the improved sense of speed plus cockpit view gives 07 the edge in my book.