Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14459 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Released on: 2002-04-05
• Platform: Xbox

Amazon.co.uk Review
EA Sports turn their attention to Formula 1 for the first time on the Xbox, and with F1 2002 they have once more produced an accessible, enjoyable and challenging game, which still needs a little work but nonetheless has much to offer. As ever with EA Sports, the game is thoroughly buffed up with official team names, tracks, drivers and such like, and is accompanied by the usual high standard of presentation. It's hard not to feel sucked in from the minute the game boots up, frankly. Helpfully, the learning curve is quite thoughtful, allowing you to opt for shorter, easier races before ultimately making your way through to a full Formula 1 season, where you'll need to brace yourself for the incredibly tough challenge of the computer-controlled opposition. Each race offers warm up, qualifying and pit decisions, and you can also choose between a simulation or a more arcade-esque game.

Either way, once on the track F1 2002 feels right and while not too easy to get to grips with at first, it does leave you with the feeling that you're in the middle of a fully-fledged Grand Prix. To get the most out of F1 2002 requires patience and practice, though, and if you aren't willing to apply both, then a more arcade-y racing game such as Burnout should be nearer the top of your list. Likewise, if you bought last year's not dissimilar effort on the PS2, then you may be better seeking an alternative challenge. But if get a kick out of racing games and are willing to put in the time, then F1 2002 is well worth considering. --Simon Brew

Manufacturer's Description
Put your driving skills to the test in F1 2002, the first game to feature the new 2002 Formula One season. Vie for the coveted Formula One driver's title as the real season unfolds. The world's best drivers pilot the world's sexiest racing machines; muscle your way to the front and enjoy every heart-stopping moment as you battle for every inch of track against the superstars of the sport. Choose to race in a champion's car or challenge yourself by taking the wheel for an up-and-coming team--just make sure you have what it takes, because your opponents drive just as hard as you do.

Customer Reviews

Fills the gap nicely before Grand Prix 4
For a first F1 game on a new console, F1 2002 has a lot to be admired - but has it's problems too.

A real plus for the game is it has the current championship season cars, tracks and drivers - the first F1 game to achieve this.

After this, the first thing of note is the menu system, which is very slick, and easy to use - as we have come to expect from E.A. Sports titles over the years.

And for the first time, there is a Challenge Mode, which serves to take you through the basics of driving an F1 car in much the same manner as the license system used in the Gran Turismo series on the Playstation.

In addition to testing your accelleration and braking, you also get to drive on wrong tyres, heavy or light fuel loads, new and used tyres, and also when the car is damaged (limpimg back to the pits at Monaco with a damaged front wing, for example).

After completing the above with a suitable score, you then have to do a hot lap on every course before unlocking more of the game's features.

The tests are very enjoyable and serve to illustrate that the cars really do handle so differently depending on the tyres e.t.c.

The game also gives you more options to do with difficulty and car setups - and also allows you more control over pit stops, which is a new thing for the series.

You can, of course, go straight in and race but not on all the circuits initially.

The car handling seems to be accurate as far as an armchair fan can determine - the cars slide more as tyre wear comes into play and understeer more on a full tank of fuel - seems logical but it can catch you out especially after driving around for a few laps and getting into a rhythm only to find you breaking points are getting earlier and earlier for those hairpins because the tyres are getting worn.

The graphics are a mixed bag - on one hand the cars are beautifully presented and the tracks are accurate, but on the other the scenery is a bit dreary at times. Monaco looks as good as ever as does the A1 Ring, and yes, the ferris wheel at Suzuka is there (in fact, the whole fairground seems to have made it into the X-Box version).

Weather effects are very good - the on-board camera view is especially good where the rain splashes on the camera.

Another improvement in graphics over predecessors is the pit crew, which is fully animated and looks authentic.

The driver AI has been improved leaps and bounds over earlier versions - they will undertake, overtake and will obey blue flag situations also - they do move out of your way, but also will block you when not required to.

So what are the problems - well, the pit stops are one. Should you pit early to change a wing e.t.c. then your car is not refuelled - this to me is ludicrous and you can pit one lap early and have to pit again the following lap to receive fuel.

Also, the sound is a bit weak. The engine noises are fine - no worries there - but there is no commentary (not a problem for me personally), and you get pit radio instead - which is fine until you get repeatedly told your teammate is catching or being caught by somebody over and over again. Perhaps this is authentic I don't know.

All in all, it is a very enjoyable game despite the minor annoyances and should be high on the list of any F1 fan.

It plugs a gap until the master of F1 games - Grand Prix 4 - hits the X-Box soon.

Brilliant!!!
Firstly I'd like to say that if you're not into racing games or F1 then I'm not sure if you'll agree with this review. Being one of the first games I've bought without reading a review (I only saw some screen shots which looked v. good), I wasn't sure what to expect. I stuck it in the machine and BOOM! I was blown away. The graphics are fantastic, though like most games there is the odd thing you think could be a bit better. But most of all it is the realsim. The feeling of speed on the open straights is mental. And on top of that the options are very comprehensive. You start of with no access to options, but once you complete all the challenges (doesn't take long) there are many that become available. Here are just a few:- oil leak (if you over - rev the engine it'll explode, so revs must be kept down). damage (e.g. damage the front wing and steering is affected). Fuel expenditure ( difference between empty tank and full is noticeable on cars handling). Tyres ( using dry tyres and it starts to rain - trouble) Pit stops (Interactive so you can affect how long you're in the pits). Overall it is an excellent game. The tracks all feel different, but are highly enjoyable in their own ways. The other cars drive and react realistically, and if you are racing as schuey, you can smack into the back of ralf's car and cause a total pile up! I'd say the only thing missing is an option so that you can do a season where all the conditions are the same as they were in real life last season. An excellent game. Buy it! Now.

f12002
Having got extremely bored waiting for absolutly anyone to felease a new F1 game on the xbox, I decided to buy this quite dated game, as it is pretty much the only one. I wasnt expecting much out of the game but I was very surprised when I started playing it. The car seems very jerky when you first play, but after a few laps you get used to it. The graphics are fine and just what you'd expect from an F1 game, although the cars do look a bit bland with no sponsors on them. Unlike most other f1 games, it is quite hard to pull away from other cars behind you and just one small mistake can send you half way down the field, which is a good point for the game.
But there are some huge things wrong with this game. Dont choose to have the flag system in races!! Even running over curbs on a corner results in a yellow flag, hence having to slam on (which i never do in time)so exeeding the speed limit and then a stop go penalty, also other cars pass you under yellow flag and nothing happens to them.
I dont think the game needed the liscensing bits beore you play, its not what an f1 game is about, and it was more of a hinderance than agood aspect. Ea normally have a good history of making attractive contents and option screens but these are just boring and nothing in the standings table or construtors table exites the eye.
The interactive pitstops are a nice touch so its up to you how long your stop is.
This isnt a bad game and will give you a good enough F1 fix until an earth shaking event occurs and someone makes a truly great f1 game on the xbox. Athough somehow Takuma Sato has just won the Championship on my game!