"Hands down, the best football game every made."

Well, I guess EA Sports read all the reviews of Madden 98. They read how it was boring, unoriginal, and repetetive in video game magazines. They read how it was too much like Madden 97. Maybe most importantly, they read the good reviews Game Day 98 got. So in response to all the poor reviews of Madden 98, EA Sports went and created an original, fun, and replayable game which knocks the socks off Game Day 99 and any other competitor.

Now, you ask, "Why is Madden 99 so different from Madden 98?" Two words: Franchise Mode. A mode of gameplay that let's you be the coach and general manager of your favorite team for up to 15 years. Players retire when the time comes and become better (or worse) as their career progresses. To fill the spots of the retiring players, you can draft new ones yearly (just like the NFL does). There is a mass free-agent signing period after the season, where you can pick up players other teams didn't sign. You have to negotiate contracts when your players' contracts expire, and if you can't sign them they become free-agents. Franchise Mode is so realistic, that you don't even have to ever play a single game if you don't want to; you can just coach. Of course, you can still play the season if your more active than I am.

Let's talk about gameplay. Madden 99 introduces new player designs, a complete 180 from the Madden 98 designs. Tackles are animated much better and you can fight for that extra yard! Also, the throwing and catching animations aren't too shabby either. You can juke, spin, stiff-arm, and hurdle tacklers. If your on defense, you can swim around offensive lineman. The gameplay is, needless to say, very realistic.

You might have noticed that I only gave this game a 9 overall. This is because I know there is room for improvement. First, in Franchise Mode, you need to have the ability to trade draft picks. This is always a big part of the NFL draft. Next, created players should be able to play in Franchise Mode. Finally, after scoring a touchdown, THE SCORER SHOULD ALWAYS TAUNT. In the game, about 75% of the time when you score, your players just quietly walk back to kick the extra point.

None of the flaws I mentioned above are major however; and Madden 99 is definately a game worth buying. However, if you haven't bought it yet, and your reading this review, wait 'til Madden 2000 comes out. Overall, I think Madden 99 delivers the most realistic gaming experience of any sport game, ever.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99