by Wyatt "JOEDOG" Elliott
NASCAR Rumble was probably the most fun I'd ever had with a racing game on PlayStation. The game was revolutionary for the original PlayStation. Yet it never seemed to get the credit it deserved.
It was more than just a NASCAR game. It was an arcade racer that everyone can enjoy. Take the best elements from NASCAR, cart racers, and arcade racing and you had NASCAR Rumble.
Now take that same concept, add a ton of new cars and tracks, but minus the NASCAR franchise. And you have EA's follow up game Rumble Racing for PlayStation 2.
EA decided not to include the NASCAR license with this one. Basically, they wanted to include classic, muscle cars, and trucks. The game still works without NASCAR, but I think it would have been nice to have both worlds involved.
Rumble Racing is awesome. This is the system seller that PlayStation has been waiting for. Racing fans had a ball with ATV Off-Road Fury, and Ridge Racer V, but this is the game of all racing games. If you loved the original or arcade racers such as the rush series, or Beetle Adventure Racing, you will like this game.
The speed is just incredible. I think that's what impressed me most about the original. These cars travel lightning fast through these tracks.
Compared to the original, Rumble Racing is superior. However, it offers a lot of the same elements with supped up graphics. Most of the power ups are the same. The tornado is back, the battering ram, the booster, among others. Some of the tracks are even the same. I have to admit. As much as I love this game. In a few aspects, it felt like a rerun.
I was most thrilled to see the same control return. Programmers who are or may be making a racing game listen up. Rumble Racing has the PERFECT control. It takes full advantage of the analog controller and is not too sensitive. This game responds like a dream. The hick announcer as he's been called, does return. His smart alack remarks are back as well. Some find him annoying, personally I do not. However, you wish him gone. No problem, just turn him off.
Much like the original, Rumble Racing offers a ton of secrets. Secret passages in each stage. Secret cars and tracks to earn. Not just a few either, enough to keep you playing and replaying til Sled Storm 2 comes out.
Now for the biggest addition in the game, Stunts. Yes, you can perform tricks while catching some air. If you can finish a complete turn around or flip over before you hit the ground, you earn a bonus speed booster. The more you flip, the longer your boost lasts. This is very important to winning the game. Perhaps not required, but it helps tremendously. They have added a special stunt courses and challenges to the game to take full advantage of the added bliss.
Perhaps Rumble Racing is a remake of NASCAR Rumble. If it introduces more gamers to this wondrous game, then so be it. If you crave the need for speed? I implore you to try this game. Buy it, rent it, borrow it, whatever it takes. Play this game. And while your at it. Pick up the original NASCAR Rumble for PSone.
PUBLISHER: EA
GRAPHICS: 9 MUSIC & SOUND: 8 CONTROL: 10
SECRETS: 10 ORIGINALITY: 7 FUN & REPLAY: 9
OVERALL: 9