Madden

Made the playoffs, but lost in the first round

HIGH Breaking through a six man gang tackle to rush for a touchdown.

LOW Having to play the fight for the fumble mini-game when I was the only one near the ball when I fell on it.

WTF Enough with the measuring, it's clearly a first down.

I've played a lot of Madden over the years (and had experience with the other major series before EA got the NFL exclusivity rights), but I'm not one of those guys who plays each year's release. In fact, looking over my Madden collection is sort of like looking at the fossil record of videogame history—I tend to only buy a new Madden release whenever a new console launches, then I don't buy it again until the next generation begins.

Game Description: Why just watch NFL football on TV when you can take an active role in the game with Madden NFL 08 by Electronic Arts? Madden NFL 08 lets you control the running game like never before. Step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers as you fight for every yard. Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs. Between the tackles or in the open field, run to daylight with Madden NFL 08.

After playing Madden 2001, I am in agreement with Ben on almost all of his points. Naturally, the Nintendo 64 Madden leads in graphics, but its high-res graphics are simply too choppy to go unnoticed. The PlayStation version on the other hand, lacks any sort of graphical punch at all, but plays more smoothly.

Madden NFL 2001 is a better football game than NFL GameDay 2001, but only marginally so. It has a better visual polish (especially in the Nintendo 64 version), loads of options and gameplay that's easier to live with, but I still found it every bit as frustrating to play as every 32-bit and 64-bit football game before it. What's the point of all the extra features that 989 Sports and EA Sports have been cramming into their football games if every contest feels like a chore?

Game Description: John Madden is back and, again, he's brought the entire NFL with him into your PlayStation with Madden NFL 2001. The game includes the updated rosters you'd expect, but new this season is the addition of coaches on the sidelines to give you specialized advice. They also often "encourage" the players and shout "helpful advice" out to the referees. Finer details for this version include wristbands, visors, facemasks, and turf tape—specific to what each player favors in the real NFL. Collisions now factor the weight and height of players, making for more realistic hits. EA has even gone to the trouble of replicating some of the touchdown celebration dances and taunts of real players.