Madden NFL 2003

"Madden Is #1...again"

Let's just jump right into this thing.

Graphics:10. They were great to look at last year, and they are the same this year. From the practice field jerseys, to the game day jerseys, Madden has it down again. There are all new animations such as gang tackling, and the crowd doesn't look half bad. Oh, and the faces look amazing. Just an example, the very first play I did, it showed a close up of Donovan McNabb's face, and man, did it look just like him.

Sound: 9. The crowd noise is impressive, and the hits sound painful. The soundtrack isn't TOOOO bad with bands such as Andrew W. K. and the played out 'Party Hard' also music from Nappy Roots, Hed PE, Quarashi, Good Charlotte, and a down point...Bon Jovi... plus some other artists. The commentary still has its off times (now with Al Michaels and John Madden, and sometimes Melissa Stark) but overall the commentary is pretty good (with Michaels counting down my big returns...50...40...30.. he's at the 20...10...touchdown!!)

Gameplay: 10. The gameplay is similar to Madden 2002, but with improved areas. The WR-DB situation always angered a few last year, but for different reasons. Some didn't like that the DB could catch the WR, some didn't like that the WR could be caught on a 'breakaway'. I've only seen my DB catch a WR once when he got away from some tackles, so you can form your own opinion. In this years Madden, you can't keep running the same run play, because they'll eventually move the line and backs to stop you, and it's much harder. In 2002, the easiest run was the HB sweep, and now it doesn't work as much.

Modes: 10!. Finally Sony has given us an online sports game. I haven't been able to get online yet to test this area, but some said it has been great (I'll be on in a week to whoop some of you) also the Franchise is back and better than ever. You can now scout your rookies more in depth and get their 40 time, and other stuff... Other than that the Franchise plays about the same as 2002 (but that was still tops in NFL games) You can also export your franchise team to play in all game modes. There's also a create a team, create a play, and create a playbook. Theres a mini-camp mode where you can earn certain Madden cards, which is pretty cool. You do various things like running, kicking, passing, and playing defense in drills, and game situations. Theres Madden 101, where John explains the basics of football, reading defenses, and finding the open WR.

Rent/Buy: Buy. The Franchise mode never gets old, and you combine that with Online play (with downloadable rosters, chat, etc.) and you have a sports game with unlimited replay value.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/05/02, Updated 09/05/02