The Xbox version received "mixed" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version received "generally unfavorable reviews", according to the
review aggregation website
Metacritic.[4][5] Jim Preston of NextGen's December 2001 issue said of the latter, "There's plenty of 'Arctic,' but little 'Thunder.' But then, we suppose Snow Snooze wouldn't have been as catchy."[22] The magazine later said in its final issue that the former console version's "only saving grace is that the courses are well enough designed that you rarely get stuck in an alcove or behind a pillar – a frequent, frustrating flaw in racing games. But this doesn't come close to the onscreen mess that makes up most of the gameplay."[23] Tokyo Drifter of GamePro said of the PlayStation 2 version, "At the finish line, Arctic Thunder is moderately enjoyable with good replay value, but its many flaws really hinder what could have been a great romp in the snow."[27][b]
AllGame gave the arcade version a score of three-and-a-half stars out of five and said it was "not an unpleasant arcade diversion, and it can be quite entertaining to compete against other players. The levels are clever and distinct, and only the patented Midway cheapness and simplicity will get in the way of your enjoyment."[6]
The PlayStation 2 version was nominated at The Electric Playground's 2001 Blister Awards for (the non-intentional) "Game With the Most Laughs" and "Biggest Disappointment of the Year", but lost both to the PS2 version of Escape from Monkey Island and the Xbox version of Shrek.[28][29]
Notes
^Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation 2 version each a score of 3/10, and the other gave it 2/10.
^GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version 2.5/5 for graphics, two 3/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for control.
References
^"Arctic Thunder". Copyright.
Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^Fitzloff, Jay (December 2001).
"Arctic Thunder (Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 104. FuncoLand. p. 109. Archived from
the original on December 1, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
^Sanders, Shawn (December 2001).
"Arctic Thunder - Xbox Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline.
Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
^Davis, Ryan (December 11, 2001).
"Arctic Thunder Review (Xbox)". GameSpot. Fandom.
Archived from the original on December 14, 2001. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^Schwartzman, Cary (September 28, 2001).
"Arctic Thunder". PlanetPS2. IGN Entertainment. Archived from
the original on June 2, 2002. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
^Perry, Douglass C. (October 5, 2001).
"Arctic Thunder (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis.
Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
^Boulding, Aaron (December 3, 2001).
"Arctic Thunder (Xbox)". IGN. Ziff Davis.
Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2024.