PlatformOVERALL
GameCube8.50
Overall 8.50
What I knew about NASCAR, the premiere motorsport of the United States, before playing Dirt to Daytona (DtD) could have fit under an oil stain.  Unlike most NASCAR games, which focus on the popular Cup Series, DtD focuses on a career mode which slowly advances you through the three stages of minor league racing.

DtD is a caRPG, pure and simple, where you must grind and race to increase your standings, get better sponsors and upgrade your vehicles. The developers, Monster Games, who made every NASCAR game prior to EA getting exclusivity make sure that your time on the track is enjoyable, replete with authentic-sounding radio banter between you and your crew.

When you first start in NASCAR you start out in the middle of nowhere driving what is basically a motorized go-kart.  If you are good, after a race you may get a fax from a local sandwich shop that wants to buy some ad-space on your vehicle, which then allows you to slightly modify your kart.  This cycle continues as you pass through a calendar-style schedule of racing.  You have to spend your meager winnings on repairs and paying your crew, which makes the actual racing part of the game more compelling.  You feel like you *have* to win or you will not be able to continue climbing the ladder or come through for your team.

Even if, like me, you have no appreciation for NASCAR it's a great game if you like RPG's and racing, and well worth picking up if you see it.
Posted by aspro Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:14:49
 
Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:34:32
No interest in NASCAR as a sport, but I've always kind of liked the racing games when I have played them.  Never owned one though.
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