| NASCAR Racing 2 | |
|---|---|
 Cover art featuring the cars ofDale Earnhardt,Terry Labonte,Jeff Gordon,Johnny Benson, andRicky Rudd | |
| Developer(s) | Papyrus Design Group |
| Publisher(s) | Sierra On-Line |
| Producer(s) | Adam Levesque |
| Designer(s) | David D. Flamburis Adam Levesque Matt Marsala John Wheeler |
| Programmer(s) | John Wheeler |
| Artist(s) | Sandro Carella David D. Flamburis |
| Series | NASCAR Racing |
| Platform(s) | Windows,MS-DOS |
| Release | December 9, 1996 |
| Genre(s) | Sim racing |
NASCAR Racing 2 is avideo game developed byPapyrus Design Group and published bySierra On-Line forMicrosoft Windows andMS-DOS in late 1996.[1][2] The game had an expansion, calledNASCAR Grand National Series, released in late-1997.[3]
NASCAR Racing 2 improved upon its predecessor by introducing a new game engine. This improved the graphics, physics, sound, and multiplayer.[4]
This game is notable as being the first NASCAR game to have 3D Acceleration: 3Dfx Acceleration through DOS, andRendition through Windows.[1][4]
Like its predecessor, the game was very positively reviewed, scoring an 86% onMobyGames.[5]
In a glowing review,GameSpot gave the game a 9.2/10, calling it "a completely professional game, both in its execution and in its dedication to the NASCAR tradition."[6] Likewise,Computer Gaming World gave the game a perfect 100%, saying "be assured that Papyrus/Sierra's NASCAR RACING 2 continues down that near legendary road of glory. Like INDYCAR II, NASCAR 2 is a sequel to what was already an outstanding game. But unlike INDYCAR II, this is a nearly wholly revised exercise – one that'll make it impossible to go back once you've checked it out."[5]
Next Generation was a bit more lukewarm towards the game, rating it three stars out of five. Nonetheless, they stated that "as a whole,NASCAR Racing 2 is a solid example of what a racing game should be".[7]
NASCAR Racing 2 wonComputer Games Strategy Plus's 1996 "Racing Simulation" of the year award.[8] It was a runner-up forComputer Game Entertainment's 1996 "Best Sports Game" prize, which ultimately went toLinks LS 1997.[9] The game was a finalist forComputer Gaming World's 1996 "Sports Game of the Year" award,[10] which ultimately went toNBA Live 97. However, it won the magazine's Readers' Choice award in the category.[11]
NASCAR Racing 2 was named the 42nd best computer game ever byPC Gamer UK in 1997.[12]
NASCAR Racing 2 was a commercial hit.[13] According toPC Data, the game was the United States' 19th-best-selling computer game during the January-November 1998 period.[14]NASCAR Racing 2 and its predecessor shipped above 2 million copies globally by March 1998.[15] According to Gord Goble ofGameSpot, the game alone reached global sales of 800,000 units by 2004, making it the second-biggest Papyrus hit as of that year.[13]
NASCAR Racing 2 and, later,NASCAR Racing: 1999 Edition as well, were the base games for an onlinepay-to-play racing service titledNASCAR Racing Online Series (NROS) and hosted byTEN. NROS featured up to 22 drivers per race. The service was announced on December 3, 1996, launched on November 12, 1997, and shut down on October 14, 1999 (due to the release ofNASCAR Racing 3 and its support onWON.net).[16][17][18]
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