NASCAR 06: Total Team Control Review

It Just Works

All of this combines to make one of the most satisfying NASCAR games yet. In past games you could get so far ahead (or so far behind) that you got bored. In 06, you have to constantly monitor your team and switch back and forth and do a lot of extra work which makes everything a whole lot more interesting than just turning left for 500 miles. The core gameplay is as solid as ever - perhaps even a little tighter than last year - and the team control aspects just add to it. You have to use strategy and actually think about things this time around.

Playing with a steering wheel peripheral kicks the fun factor and satisfaction of NASCAR 06 up even higher so if you have one it is definitely the way to go. I recommend the Fanatec Speedster 3 because it has force feedback and provides a much more solid and realistic feel. Other wheels (which work just fine for other games, just not NASCAR …) are a bit too loose and you’ll end up having to make minor course corrections the entire race and you’ll just end up wrecking.

Casual Gamers Beware

The only drawback of the team control stuff is that you can really only take advantage of it on long races. Casual gamers that just like to run a race of 20 laps or less will definitely be missing out because that isn’t nearly enough time to work everyone to the front and without the team control aspect there isn’t much here that is different from 2005 which will undoubtedly turn some people off. There is still a lot to like in 06, however, particularly if you haven’t tried last year’s game. It just seems that NASCAR 06 was put together with hardcore racing game and NASCAR fans in mind and if you don’t fall into those categories it isn’t as attractive of a package.

Graphics and Sound

Graphically, NASCAR 06 is a nice looking game but it isn’t too different from last year. Everything is still really clean and sharp looking and the frame rate is consistent all around. One disappointing aspect of the visuals is that everything in the Fight to the Top mode is handled through bland menus. Even though your team is earning millions of dollars and building fancy new garages you never see any of it. You never really feel involved in the behind the scenes aspects of racing which is a significant issue considering how important team ownership and maintenance is in Fight to the Top.

The sound in NASCAR 06 is just about perfect. The engines are loud, just like they should be, and sound just right. Radio chatter from your spotter and pit crew is also very good.

Overall, this is a game both aurally and visually.

Bottom Line

NASCAR fans are really in for a treat with NASCAR 06: Total Team Control. You get to race on all of your favorite tracks with all of your favorite drivers, of course, but now you also have the opportunity to race as a team which is something that has become increasingly important in recent years. Hardcore NASCAR and racing game fans will absolutely love the depth the team controls add to the experience. For casual gamers, however, the team control aspect won’t play as big of a role since you can only really take advantage of it in long races and outside of the team control there isn’t much new here. There are a ton of races and a lot of stuff to do in NASCAR 06, so I still recommend it for everyone, but depending on what type of a gamer you are and how you like to play, 2005’s Chase for the Cup might be a better option. At the very least, give NASCAR 06: Total Team Control a rental and decide from there but for most racing fans I think it will be worth a purchase.