NASCAR Rumble

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NASCAR Rumble

Developer(s) Electronic Arts
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release date February 3, 2000
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single player, 2 player multiplayer
Rating(s) ESRB: Everyone (E)
NASCAR Rumble
NASCAR Rumble

NASCAR Rumble is a racing game by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation. The player or players can race through 18 different courses set in six different areas collecting powerups to aid them. The game was met with fairly positive reviews, and earned an 80% on GameRankings[1].

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

In NASCAR Rumble, the main object of the game is to win a race or series of races against one to five opponents. They race in normal or souped-up stock cars from the at-the-time NASCAR Winston Cup Series, in addition to several Craftsman Truck Series drivers, unlockable past NASCAR legends, and everyday vehicles.

An interesting feature of Rumble is the power-ups. These can be collected and used for assistance. Players may also choose how often these appear. They are:

  • Nitro - increases speed to max of twenty miles per hour faster than normal.
  • Bold tires - increases handling by two times normal.
  • Bad gas - gradually reduces speed and lowers acceleration.
  • Oil slick - decreases handling by two times normal.
  • Joker - randomly activates one of the four above power-ups.
  • Storm^ - sends a storm cloud over the opponent in the next position decreasing vision and randomly jerking tires.
  • Freeze^ - sends a frost to the opponent in the next position locking tires in place.
  • Tornado^ - sends a tornado that sucks up every car in its path.
  • Invincible - protects from all negative power-ups.
  • Big Rumble - creates a huge red bumper on the front, when you hit with this they go flying.

"^" Means that it will have no effect if the vehicle is travelling under 60 mph and also will not effect teamate.

There are also three racing classes. These determine how fast a car can travel and also its physical appearance. These can be determined by the player. They are:

  • Rookie: The starter class. All the cars in this category look stock, with no modifications. Max normal speed is 160 mph.
  • Pro: The middle class, with semi-modified cars. Have a little vent in the hood and have a more aggressive and aerodynamic appearance than the Rookie cars. Max normal speed is 170 mph.
  • Elite: The best class. Cars' aerodynamics are heavily modified and the engines feature blowers. Max normal speed is 180 mph.

The speeds vary depending on the type of vehicle. Trucks are two miles per hour slower than the regular car's speeds (which are listed above). Likewise, the legends are two miles per hour slower.

[edit] Game Modes

[edit] Single race

In a single race, the player or players race one race on any track of their choice. They can choose be between one and eight circuits and one and five opponents. If a certain feature is turned on, the player can even select their opponents' car and racing class.

[edit] Championship

In a championship, the player(s) choose a championship to race, such as Metropolis, and then has three races to do in that championship (except the EA Cup, which has six). Depending on how well the player does in each race, they are rewarded with ten points for a win, eight for second, six for third, four for fourth, two for second, and one for sixth. A running total is kept, and final standing position is based on the total points earned in all three races. If the player finishes in first, they receive a trophy and unlock the legend race in that series.

Championships can also be played in "Cyber team" mode where there are three teams with two players on each. The team members combine their points and the standings are based on both members, so it can be a good check of strength for an expert player. There is also "co-op" mode, where two human players are on a team.

There is also a "Legend" mode, where a player can unlock a past NASCAR driver in a championship against the legend and four "regular' drivers. However, the player must finish first, and not just beat the legend. For example, if the player finishes in second, and the legend is third, the legend will not be unlocked.

[edit] Showdown

"Showdown" is a one-lap shootout against an opponent of the player's choice. The player also chooses the track, number of laps, and power-up density.

[edit] Time trial

In a time trial, the player has four laps to get the track and/or lap record for a track of their choice. Track records are "official" if only four laps are run, regardless of power-up density. There are a maximum a five track records kept for each track, but only one lap record.

[edit] Drivers

[edit] Winston Cup

[edit] Trucks

[edit] Legends

[edit] Criticism

Although the game was open to positive reviews it was criticized by Benny Parsons in radio advertisements he said it was "NASCAR Racing gone wrong".

[edit] Alcohol and Tobacco Sponsors

To earn an "E" rating from the ESRB, Nascar Rumble had to exclude alcoholic and tobacco sponsors from the cars. This was done by changing the needed sponsors to the team name, in the following cars:

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Budweiser Chevy will display the DEI logo.
  • Wally Dallenbach's Budweiser Chevy will display Hendrick Motorsports.
  • Rusty Wallace's Miller Lite Ford will display Penske Racing.
  • Sterling Marlin's Coors Chevy will display Sabco for Sabco Racing.
  • Ken Schrader's Skoal Chevy will display Andy Petree Racing.

[edit] References

  1. ^ GameRankings - NASCAR Rumble. GameRankings. Retrieved on 2007-10-12.

[edit] External links

Nascar Rumble at Moby Games