Madden NFL 2001

• Release Date: August 22, 2000
• Genre: Sports
• Style: Football (American)
• Similar Games: Madden NFL 2000 (PlayStation), NCAA GameBreaker 2001 (PlayStation), NFL GameDay 2001 (PlayStation)

Game Description

Madden NFL 2001 is the fifth game in Electronic Arts' football dynasty on the PlayStation. In terms of visual presentation, Madden 2001 uses the same 3D engine as found in its predecessor. The character and crowd graphics are made up of textured polygons, with the usual details found in the series such as recognizable names, numbers, and authentic uniforms.

The animation of the player movement includes an array of jukes, dives, tucks, rolls, and hits. You'll also be able to recognize your favorite stadium, as each is modeled after the real-life arena thanks to an official NFL license. Finally, the game offers little extras such as weather effects, helmet shine and controllable endzone celebrations.

EA SPORTS is also stepping up to the line of scrimmage with eight different game modes. You'll be able to try your luck at the Two-Minute Drill, Practice, Situation, Exhibition, Season, Custom League, Franchise and Tournament modes. The Two-Minute Drill and Practice modes are designed to ease a new player into the world of Madden. Both modes allow users to adjust to the nuances of the game controls without the pressure of an opponent.

The Exhibition mode is a gateway to a quick game of football, allowing you to pick the opposing teams and jump into the action. The Season mode focuses on your attempt to guide your chosen team to the Super Bowl. In the Franchise mode, you'll dive into the customizability of the Madden series, as you take the role of player, coach, and executive manager. This mode allows you to trade, sign, or cut your team members, as long as you stay within the salary cap.

Madden 2001 will also let you make the team of your dreams from scratch. The create-a-player mode allows the football fanatic to alter every little detail of the athlete, from the height and weight to the type of padding or helmet. It is even possible to put yourself into the game as the starting quarterback!

In the play creator mode, you will become the offensive/defensive coordinators, as you strive to find the unbeatable formation. The playbooks can be mixed and matched between the opposing teams, or you can go to ground zero and do it yourself. With the addition of the aforementioned create-a-franchise mode, you have the entire team in your hands, from the players to the assignments and playbook.

With an optional Multi-Tap adaptor, up to four people can compete in Madden NFL 2001 at the same time. The game also supports the analog controller for more precise pass and run control as well as the memory card to save your progress.

Review: Overall

Electronic Arts is notorious for failing to offer significant improvements to the sequels of their well-known franchises. Take the example of the NHL Hockey games, for instance. Each year, the company releases a new version without any noticeable alterations to the gameplay or the graphics engine. Instead, the company slaps an updated team roster and a new instruction book into the packaging and the product sells like crazy.

If you are looking for a visual powerhouse, you'd better head towards NFL2K1 or the PS2 version of Madden NFL 2001. Unfortunately, the limitation of the hardware keeps the game from coming close to the upper-level competition.

If you have played previous versions of the of the series, you will have a rough idea of the look of Madden NFL 2001., although the developer made sure to fix the biggest problem of the last incarnation, the frame rate. In the 2001 edition, the player animation and movement is nice and smooth, dumping the rocky road treatment. In fact, the entire visual presentation of the game is solid, from the opening sequence and menus to the polygonal character and stadium models. It will never be mistaken for the real thing, but Madden 2001 is the best the aging PS is gonna offer.

The big question on everyone's lips is "how does it play"? Well, it is a lot like the preceding games, which is a good thing. It features a deep and rewarding engine which offers a viable running game, unlike the brutal defense of NFL2K. It is great to push the ball through the middle, spinning and jumping to avoid the incoming linemen. Madden 2001 also offers a ridiculous amount of pass, fake, run, audible and play choices, in addition to the usual "drop back and toss the bomb" action. In fact, it is one of the most involved sport games on the market, meaning a new player will require some time in the practice area.

It is hard to go into any more detail on the game play aspects. Madden is a football game and you have got the basic picture. At any rate, the real wow factor is in the options department. Man, the men/women of EA pushed the replay value to the maximum. All by itself, the Franchise Mode will eat up weeks of your free time as you take a team through a decade-long run. It is constantly pushing you to make the ultimate football team. In the editor mode, you can create your own player, play book, team, etc. In short, you can make your own professional football dynasty. The addition of extra teams, the awesome Madden Cards, and the updated statistic list rounds out the package.

Finally, the game offers so many different ways of playing it, you will keep finding new things to do. If you feel like a quick game of ball, the Exhibition Mode is the place for you. On the other hand, if you have got a day to waste, try a season with your favorite team. The one downer is a fault of the PS design. If you want a 4-player game, you will have to spring for a multi-tap. Still, the two-player game is loads of fun, and your buddies can join in a one-on-one tournament battle. Overall, a great job on the play options.

Basically, Madden 2001 is the ultimate 32-bit football game. If you have the cash and the patience to wait, the PS2 version is undoubtedly a superior product. Still, the average player will be happy with the feel and look of the final Playstation version.

Review: Enjoyment

It's a Madden game, which is synonymous with fun. Any football fan will fall in love with Madden 2001. In the running, passing, customization and game play factors, it is hard to beat the old school king.

Review: Graphics

Madden 2001 is equal to any sport game on the 5-year old Playstation in the visual area. The excellent texture and frame rate work highlights a very solid graphical package. Still, wait for the PS2 version if the eyecandy is an important factor to you.

Review: Sound

The sound in Madden 2001 fails to make a lasting impression. The crowd and player sound is average, and the announcing job is below par. Overall, it isn't equal to work in the Sega Sports license.

Review: Replay Value

The replay value in {*Madden 2001} is a lesson in insanity. If you're looking for a long-term investment, you've come to the right place. With the Franchise, Custom League, and Season play modes, you'll be obsessing over {*Madden 2001} 24/7.

Review: Documentation

Once again, a average, boring instruction booklet. Still, it's worth a look-through to a newcomer.