Teen Tech: Start your consoles with Nascar '09

By Jordan Hairr

Teen correspondent

In the heat of summer, kids romp in the water, the aroma of BBQ wafts in the air and families hit the road.

For gamers, all of these things can only mean one thing: a new installment in the NASCAR franchise.

"NASCAR '09" is aimed at pleasing hardcore race fans - those who cover the line at turn 4 at Bristol - while still pleasing the casual racers who don't know the difference between tire pressure and tire treads.

That said, "NASCAR '09" will entertain both groups of gamers, but there's still something missing.

When gamers pop this one into a console, they will immediately notice Jeff Gordon. Motion-captured into the game, he guides players through the new features. At first, his guidance is nice as you maneuver around the game, but after a while, he can get annoying, chiming in after every button press. Fortunately, you can turn him off.

"NASCAR '09" has changed quite a bit since last year's title. Career mode is much improved, not only allowing better car creation abilities, but enabling a new side mission in racing: reputation points. Like the real life "Nextel Chase for the Cup," real NASCAR drivers are behind the wheel. Players in career mode will get points after racing to unlock new sponsorships, teams and performance points that can beef up your car.

The Race Now features allow you to start up a race of any series, track, length and other variables, and the Sprint Driver Challenge lets players finish challenges and unlock reputation points. Both features are nice to sit and play with because they unlock rep points, which you can apply to your career car. In fact, you could start your career with a super car, making the game extra easy.

Visually, the graphics get a pleasing boost and are quite noticeable.

However, other innovations to improve game play are nonexistent. AI cars are smarter than last year, but in some situations, they make poor decisions. Pit stops are virtually all computer-controlled, while players get a break for 30 seconds. After searching the Internet for player feedback, the one thing players have wanted for years in NASCAR is interactive pit stops. Sadly, it didn't happen this year.

Finally, the multiplayer mode is bland.

The NASCAR franchise is definitely one of the more refined sports titles, one that keeps trying to impress players year in and year out while keeping racing entertaining.

This year's title has more pros then cons by far, but it is hard to see where the franchise is going. Every year the game changes drastically for player appeal. How long will that last? Only time will tell.

But in the end, the great minds at EA help "NASCAR '09" take the checkered flag.

My rating: 9 out of 10.

Jordan Hairr, a rising junior at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, blocpartyforme@

hotmail.com