Madden NFL 2003

"Madden finally shines bright"

If I sat down and tried to come up a great football game this is what I would create. This game is awesome. From the moment you place the dvd in the tray it is nonstop action. This years version packs better graphics than previous years as well as a host of new features.

Most notably is the addition of a mini game known as Mini-camp. This feature requires you to learn different formations and plays. After you have practiced and honed your skills you can challenge the cpu for Madden tokens. This feature alone is worth the upgrade to 2003.

As expected the graphics have received a face lift as well. The field of grass looks so real you can smell the clippings and will swear you have grass stains on your clothes. The players and stadiums look very close to their real life counterparts as well.

The sound in the game is my only beef. Don't get me wrong the sound is great but the commentary seems very robotic to me. Now I know this is a video game and not live TV but with graphics this slick shouldn't the commentary be as well? As far as the music goes I could take it or leave it. The beats are pretty good but do I really need to hear the great Hair Band Bon Jovi when I'm getting pumped up for a game? I think not.

The A.I. has also been kicked up a notch. The defense is much improved over last year. No more line backers standing around looking for a hot dog and Coke. Everyone actually does what they are supposed to. Including gang tackles. This looks really cool when three defenders bring down that annoying running back. However the offensive line is a different story. Many times I have tried to run the ball only to be tripped by one of my linebackers. No holes really open up. Your best bet is to run the outside routes. Passing has also been given a little help. Now you must try to catch a pass rather than just throw and score.

Also included this year is on-line play. I have yet to give this a try but from the many posts on Gamefaqs this looks like quite a promising feature.

With everything included in this edition it is a very worthy upgrade.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/15/02, Updated 08/15/02