Madden NFL 2000

"Whether you're a football fan or not, this game will get you hooked for quite some time."

Introduction:
The Madden series has always been highly-acclaimed by many reviewers and players. Madden is probably the closest you can get to the real action on the football field. It has always been regarded as being the most realistic and best representation of football games. Whether you're a football fan or not, this game will get you hooked for quite some time.

Graphics - [8/10]
The graphics in Madden 2000 are composed very well throughout the game. The menu system is very accurate with easy to read lettering and great layouts. The stadiums are very detailed with teams, players, staff, and referees on the sidelines. You can even see a sign on the scoreboard at Cinergy Field saying Bengal Fever. The game holds so much detail and realistic approach that it almost seems to the real thing. Players are well represented with large tacklers twice the size of small cornerbacks. The players appear to be 3D although there is an occasional sprite or two that can be seen. Also, the crowd is flat with colored dots but it's hardly noticeable when you're in the action of a game. However, the best thing about the graphics is that there is no slowdown in the framerate which is a big plus when compared to Quarterback Club 2000.

Sound - [8/10]
The sound in Madden 2000 is mainly composed of sound effects rather than music. I mean, they're not playing Tom Jones at the stadiums. But the sound in Madden is made well enough to pass the test for just about any gamer. In the menus, you will hear a repetitive theme music, which isn't too much of a bother. But the better effects come with the actual game. You can hear the crowd chanting Defense! when you're the home team and away team is making a drive. The crowd will chant and be amazed at spectacular plays and catches you make. Best of all, there are excellent grunts of tacklers, helmets being thrown off, and the football itself. EA did a real good job in the sound effects in this game.

Gameplay - [9/10]
The gameplay in Madden 2000 is the best part about buying this game. EA really took time out to make this game great in this area because it holds so much. First off, EA made the controls with simplicity so that you can react fastly to certain plays. When you're running on offense, you can juke left and right with the Z and R buttons. Down C - Spin, Right C - Stiff Arm, and Left C - Hurdle. The different controls and settings make it extremely easy to set it to your own playing style. Once you get use to the controls, you'll be the next Terell Davis. This should be the reason why you buy this game since there is so much to explain.

Replayability - [9/10]
The great thing about Madden is the vast amount of options they put in this game. First off, if you have a friend or someone else over, you can play an exhibition game with your favorite team or all-star teams. If you want to play a season but don't want to have to deal with contracts, then season is for you. If you want to play an entire franchise like the real owners do, then Franchise mode is for you. You can even practice plays and formations against other formations to see the effects. You can make trades, signs, drops, draft picks, and even receive season-ending injuries. The game was made so that you would get the most out of it. Plus, there are thirty-one different teams which will make you coming back and back to play them all. Plus, if you get bored of that, you can do the Madden Challenge which has certain requirements that must be met during games. For example, you must get a touchdown off of a punt return. This game has so much depth that it can almost be rated perfect. They even include a create-a-player option which can be used to make those new superstars in the actual NFL season. Stats, records, and profiles can all be saved on a memory card including set audibles. You're able to set six offensive and defensive plays. If you doubt you'll be playing this game in the future, think again.

Fun Factor - [7/10]
I'll get right down to the point, Madden is fun. It's fun to make deep bomb passes, or long rushing yards. It's exciting to make a leaping interception of do a fake field goal touchdown pass. Either way, Madden will have you coming back to take on your next opponent on the schedule. I must warn you though, it can be frustrating at times. Sometimes the other team will do a cheap play and I'll get angry at myself. Sometimes you may even yell when you do something stupid and regret it. However, I'm sure you'll enjoy Madden for what it is, a great football game.

Challenge - [10/10]
EA made this game, so it would be challenging. If you're new to football, then you can set it to Rookie mode which is the easiest setting. There are four different difficulty settings, Rookie, Pro, All Pro, and All Madden. The great feature about this is that it gets tougher and tougher to beat as the difficulty gets higher. Plus, EA added an AI feature which lets you set the difficulty of certain areas of the game. If the computer is weak in running, then you can jazz the difficulty in that area higher. Attempting to win five superbowls with the Browns can be quite a challenge. That's why Madden was made, to be a challenging and realistic game that will make you coming back for more.

Final Opinion - [8/10] (Not an average)
I'll be quite frank, I wasn't a football fan until I played Madden. I use to play NFL Blitz and I thought I was good at football until I played Madden 2000. Madden showed me how much strategy there is in football and how fun it can be. Not only does madden combine the simulation factor, but it was made to be fun game. I still play about three games a day on average with my franchise. This game made me into a football fan, I actually enjoy watching games on TV. This is why Madden is supreme, and that's why I'd recommend you buy it whether you enjoy football or not. You will be playing this game for quite some time.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/11/02, Updated 05/11/02