Madden NFL 2001

There aren't as many new features in this year's version as there were last time around, but many things have been tightened up and tweaked. The animation is better, computer opponents are more apt to mix up their passing and running plays, and the computer also seems to have a better awareness of the clock.

Madden 2001 requires an obscenely powerful PC to run at full speed with all the graphics options cranked to the stops. Our 400 MHz Pentium III test machine with a 32 MB GeForce DDR card was producing a football slide show until we turned some of the effects down (and in some cases off). For those lucky souls with the right hardware, prepare to see playing fields and uniforms that degrade over time, perhaps the most detailed player models ever put in a football game, and even footprints on the field. On the audio side, we recommend cranking up the excellent crowd noises and turning off the idiotic and repetitive play-by-play from Madden and Summerall.

We were disappointed with the play editor, which looked like it was ported directly from an inferior console version of the game. In fact, the entire interface appeared to be hijacked from a console, as it isn't PC friendly at all. It's the game that counts, though, and Madden 2001--like its predecessors--serves up some of the best football action to be had on a PC. New online leagues and other multiplayer options added this year sweeten the deal. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Amazing graphics and animations
• New online options
• The computer opponent has improved

• Steep system requirements if you want maximum detail
• Color commentary is awful

The game also features new audio and play-by-play recorded by Madden and broadcast partner Pat Summerall. Best of all, the online play feature allows you to undergo an entire season online, comparing your ranking to other players, or participate in EA-sponsored tournaments.

However, before you go off and by this, Madden 2004 is VERY VERY soon, and it looks much better than any of the Madden games, if you're looking for a good controller to get the most out of Madden 2004, I suggest the Gravis Eliminator Aftershock. The only place I've seen it really cheaply, is here at Amazon.com

BUT, having said that, if your PC isn't up to speed to play 2004, 2001 one is a good choice game.


Gimme A BREAK!!!   September 7, 2002
Derreck Mott (Summerville,SC)
the gameplay of this game is horrible.if the computer is losing by the beginning of the last quarter then they just start to magically catch anything that comes their way even if you tip the pass.the blockers are constantly missing thier blocks.the recievers hardly ever catch a pass unless they are wide open and sometimes even then they drop the ball.running the ballc an be hard at times to because the defense can dive so far away.the graphics of this game are fairly adequate but i think they could be better.


Madden 2k1 is da bomb   July 1, 2002
Madden 2k1 is a great game for the PC. I was surfing [...] a while ago, and I was trying to look at a good football game for the PC, since I didn't have any other game console. I came across this one and I looked at the graphics. It was the most incredible thing I had seen in a sports game. It was the number one game I wanted to get. When I finally did, I was so excited to install it. When I played it for my first time, it blew me away. I now have a season on it, which is really fun.
Okay, I'll tell you how the game is. There are codes you can put in, which are mostly teams from much earlier from today, (for example: the 1957 Lions) There are also some weird teams. You can even play as mummies with a certain code! You play in Cairo, Egypt! (By the way, you find these codes on [...]) I would rate this (the code mode) 10/10 for fun.
The basics of the game are:
Sound---------9.9/10
Fun-----------9/10
Score---------8/10
Reality-------9/10
Overall-------9/10 (I would make more, but I'll talk about them with detail later on. Besides, I'm tired of typing!)
I would start out with the practice mode if you're a first timer at this. It's fun, even without the real action! It's pretty simple. You choose your team, which side you want (offense or defense), where you want the ball to be, and the play you want to practice. (You have to choose the other sides play, too.
The exhibition games are the second step you should take. You choose your teams, who you want to play with you, (computer or 2 players) and you start with a big, fun game of football! The plays are hard to figure out. I couldn't kick a field goal until I figured this out. If you hit the up or down arrow, it will take you through different modes (shotgun, special teams, I formation, etc.) If you press right or left, it will take you to a different type. For example: If you go to the special teams, it will say PUNT. If you press right, it will say FIELD GOAL. Get it? good,
The season is fun. It is the third step to take. The diffuculty is up a notch from the exhibition games. It is realistic if you are on your right level for you. (Like if your a rookie, put the level mode on rookie) It will be tough, but it is challenging.
Madden had no disapointments (To me anyway). If you're extremely picky, you may find a very slight con. If you think you want to buy this game, don't hesitate. It is Terrific.


Madden is the greatest   December 7, 2001
Mike Paradis (Goshen, KY USA)
Madden football has always been the best of all football games, for any gaming console, and this installment just extends that lead. They've finally downplayed the ability of the juke, which kind of saddens me, because it was so much fun burning the computer with the juke move.