Madden NFL 2002

"One of the greatest sports series arrives on GBA, and then fumbles the opening kickoff"

Well, I just picked up Madden 2002 for the GBA. Hopefully, you won't follow in my footsteps. This game is horrible in almost every way imaginable. How horrible? ''Play Action Football'' on the old GameBoy plays better than this.

Graphics: 5/10
- Madden 2002 on the GBA looks a lot like Madden from its days on the Genesis or SNES, which isn't totally a bad thing. However, its a lot different on a screen much smaller than a TV. The player models are plain ugly on such a small system like the GBA. They're incredibly blocky and pixilated, and when they run around on the field, it looks horrible. The fields look pretty good; they're rich in color and come out well on the small screen. But overall, the game really takes a beating in the visuals department.

Sound: 4/10
- The problem with the sound is that there isn't much, and what you do get is awful. The intro song is pretty cool, but there isn't much else to speak of. The on-field grunts and hits sound alright, but could be a lot better. And as for commentary... well, there isn't much. Pat Summerall does most of the talking, but all I ever hear him say is ''1st Down''. John Madden throws in a couple of one-liners here and there, which doesn't nearly make up for the lack of conversation between the two.

Control: 2/10
- OK, now this is where it REALLY gets ugly. The players glide across the field as if they were playing hockey, making it very difficult to keep control of your player. When you pass the ball, it can get difficult to get your receiver to where the ball is being thrown, and when you run, its difficult trying to perform jukes to avoid tacklers. As for the defensive side of the ball, making big plays like diving for receivers or leaping in the air to block passes is something which is near impossible to perform. Overall, it's just plain awful and very difficult to get used to.

Gameplay: 1/10
- Why such a low score? Well, here it goes: Only two modes of play (Exhibition and Season), no stat-tracking through season mode, specific options available to only the home team, and worst of all... NO MULTIPLAYER!!! Unless you can manage to play this game by yourself, it gets extremely boring without a friend. But then again, it would be hard to find a friend who would want to play this game.

Overall: 3/10
- Even if Madden 2002 is a first-generation game for the GBA, there's no excuse for its performance. It looks like a SNES football game, but plays as if it were on the Atari. If you're a fan of football games, wait til next year. Madden 2002 is void of any gameplay features that would attract even the most hardcore football gamer. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 12/31/01, Updated 12/31/01