Score: 80
Overall User Average: 8.18 / 10 (80.3%)
Gameplay User Average: 8.24 / 10
Graphics User Average: 7.85 / 10
Sound User Average: 8.03 / 10
BunnyRabbit
Date reviewed: November 10, 2003.
Overall: WE WANT FUN! AND YA BETTER BELIEVE...that this game delivered it. Ive havent been a big fan of sports games, but I really did like this one much more than just any sports game. Its on the road training was alot of fun. It had great music(Andrew!) and it had great looks.
Gameplay: Alot of fun on any mode. Obviously multiplayer is a blast on such a game, especially with the fact that its basically multiplayer. This game was more enjoyable and long lasting than others thanks to extras and modes that were alot of fun. Such as the on the road training and its collectible cards and trophies. This game was so good I didn't feel the need to go get Madden '04
Graphics: The visuals were amazing. Definitely a game brought to you by yours truely, Xbox. I loved the site of throwback uniforms as well. The fact that they had somethings from so far back was cool to see. What can I say, realistic cheerleaders, foorball players, and turf. What else does a football game need graphic wise? Surely not a collage of colors they call a crowd..LoL.
Sound: m....cheer! Those sounds were all of good taste and the announcer was the main event when it came to sound. Especially when the announcer says some remarks that are rather funny. Thats my favorite part when it comes to the sound...
Suggestions: Stop ball phasing. No real football players let the ball fly through their head as if a ghost and land in their hands.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 70 %
Strongbad
Date reviewed: November 10, 2003.
Overall: This game was so good, I had difficulty putting it down. Madden seems to keep getting better and better through the years. The franchise mode is nearly flawless, and the draft is very interesting. Very good game overall.
Gameplay: Ahhh, the gameplay. Madden really outdid himself this time. The movements were so fluid that it came so close to the real thing. The only thing that I disagree with is that they made Terrell Owens almost perfect, and while he is very talented, he can't make the catches that he makes in the game.
Graphics: Very good graphics. But I have to use up 100 characters, so I'll just tell you to buy this game. If you are a football fan, you will like this I think. I am, and I did.
Sound: They made the soundtrack to this game with hit songs, but they put some songs on that were annoying and made me a little mad.
Suggestions: Let the user play the ripped soundtrack aswell as the Madden soundtrack.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
En7gMa
Date reviewed: November 3, 2003.
Overall: What more can some one say about this game? It is a great Sim for football, and the Madden series is known world wide. The graphics a top notch, Great music, great gameplay. Great everything.
Gameplay: This is the best I have seen Madden yet. The mini-camp option really added fun to the game, and the unlikable game situations were good too. The franchise mode is just like last years, nothing new. This version did not improve much in AI, but tackling is a little bit harder. Only problem is, why can't they add downloadable rosters from live?
Graphics: Looks great in replay mode, but in-game action does not have greatest graphics. Still, a much better improvement over last years.
Sound: This EA track is great. Good mix of Rap, Rock, and others. But, is it just me, or have you had enough of this Madden guy talking?
Suggestions: On 2004 make Madden say more stuff, he says the same thing over and over again. Also, I would like to see an option where you can play as the receiver only on the field.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %
Y2D
Date reviewed: January 1, 2003.
Overall: Great appeal, I didn't know much about American Football but after seeing the reviews, seeing game movies 4 it and playing a demo of it I was hooked straight away. Tons to do- never gunna run out of things to do.
Gameplay: Great gameplay, with smart opponents and team mates, makes you feel like your really in the game, the only thing that could use changing is the run button changing from offense to defense.
Graphics: The players, stadium and everything look great and realistic, the weather effects are great, great camera angles and the action replays are brilliant.
Sound: Great songs, awesome tunes, the crowd and the effects with things like tackles were great, the only thing that needs improving is the crowd at the end of the game doesn't get very excited.
Suggestions: Great work keep it up.!!!!
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %
Hamburgular1414
Date reviewed: December 30, 2002.
Overall: Overall I thought the game was pretty well designed! There could have been some minor changes like when the songs are played at the beggining it shows the title, artist, and cd. I think that they should remove that! Als during the game I think that Madden should talk more I mean it is Madden 2003 not Michaels 2003.
Gameplay: Gameplay was great. Sometimes the computer seemed to have the edge lyk when they break tackles. Also I think that the chalanges are to hard to get over turned I've only won one chalange.
Graphics: Visually it was perfectly fine. The guys could have been a little bigger but other than that it was perfectly fine.
Sound: Sound was great! u get to actually hear the people scream! The songs were very cool too! I loved everyone!
Suggestions: Madden needs to talk more!!!!!!!!
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %
RathitzTretz
Date reviewed: December 30, 2002.
Overall: AWESOME GAME!!! I have no idea why people would buy 2K3 over this. NFL 2K3 is one of the worst football games I have ever played. The graphics make me want to puke. Fever may be more arcade-like, but even that is better than 2K3.
Gameplay: Madden has ALWAYS been easy to master. The controls are very well done, however I would like to see the controls be the same in both NCAA and Madden. WHY ISN'T THERE ONLINE PLAY YOU CHEAP BASTARDS?!?! THAT IS THE ONE THING THAT TEARS THIS GAME DOWN!! ONLINE PLAY ON OTHER CONSOLES BUT NOT XBOX!! I HAD TO BUY FEVER TO PLAY A GAME ONLINE!!!
Graphics: Doesn't have the graphical quality of Fever, but Madden is also a hell of a lot better than NFL 2K3. The graphics are well done, but could have been better. The detail in the players is good but I would like to see a little more facial detail.
Sound: Sound is alright. The announcing is done pretty well, but needs improvement. It needs to be a little less repetetive and also, Madden can get really annoying. The players need to talk trash after a great stop on 3rd and 1.
Suggestions: ONLINE PLAY!! GIVE ME ONLINE PLAY!! I WILL HUNT EVERY SINGLE DEVELOPER DOWN AND KILL THEM IF 2004 DOESN'T HAVE ONLINE PLAY!!! Make the announcing less repetetive and make the facial details on players better.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
mavrick1_98
Date reviewed: December 19, 2002.
Overall: This years Madden was really depressing for me. The gap between Madden and the Sega 2K series is getting wider, with 2K3 being far superior to Madden 2003. As a Madden fan for many years, I was hoping this years version would close the gap, but no such luck. Mainly the graphics and character modules are really falling behind. The game is not as crisp visually, and there is NO online play, a huge mistake by EA.
Gameplay: Madden is an adequate football game if you do not want to go online, and do not have access to the other games (2k3 and Fever). If you shut your eyes and deny other football games exist, you may actually like Madden.
Graphics: This is the lowest point of the game for me. The graphics just don't look as clean, and the players faces are downright bland. The replays just plain suck compared to other games. They obviously are trying to be slick (with the three split screen thing), but frequently they'll show a replay for a 10 yard boring run, but not a 30 yard TD catch. Why is that?
Sound: The addition of Al Michaels is nice, and he is far better than Pat Summerall was in the previous years. It does sound like Monday Night Football. On the down side, it sounded like they just recycled many of Madden's comments from the previous years. Time for some new material.
Suggestions: It's not too late to turn this thing around. Here's hoping EA puts an effort into 2004. JUMP ON THE ONLINE WAGON!!! Work on better visuals, and player's faces.
Overall: 50 %
Gameplay: 50 %
Graphics: 30 %
Sound: 70 %
topper
Date reviewed: November 20, 2002.
Overall: How this game can be ranked below 2K3 simply amazes me. There is absolutely no comparison between the two. Madden is and always has been the best football video game out there. Just look at which game the pros play...it's Madden because it's the most authentic and realistic football sim out there.
Gameplay: Fun, fun, fun. Easily my favorite XBOX title. Anyone that knows football recognizes how realistic the gameplay is with Madden. Running, passing, kicking, everything.
Graphics: Graphics are outstanding. You hear so people talk about 2K3 having much superior graphics. Maybe on the cut scenes with the player closeups that's true but SO WHAT!?! Other than that I find that Madden's graphics are much better than 2k3's
Sound: Sound is excellent and everything you could want in a football game. The commentary isn't always dead on but who cares I play this for the gameplay not the commentary.
Suggestions: Have the real numbers for former players on the classic teams. In the future it would be great to have names and facial features for the classic teams as well.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
ARONO129
Date reviewed: November 3, 2002.
Overall: Took off a point for no online play. Other than that this game is tight. I can see me playing this game until the next series of NFL games comes out. Many different modes to this game. Don't let the low scores by Sega fanboys fool you. Madden wins this year.
Gameplay: Other than no online play this version of Madden is perfect. Thank you Sega for pushing Madden to put out the best football game to date.
Graphics: Much better than Sega's NFL 2K3. At least you can adjust the camera angle in Madden the way you like. Sega's camera angles are too far away. the ggod graphics in that game are a waste.
Sound: Took off a mark because, well, it has Madden's voice. But not very often. Gave it a 4 because Al Michaels makes you believe you are watching Monday Night Football on TV.
Much better than the reject that announces NFL 2K3.
Suggestions: ONLINE PLAY. THAT'S IT. Don't mess this up like you did with the NHL series.
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 80 %
JayMan36
Date reviewed: November 3, 2002.
Overall: This is a great football franchise but madden 2003 on the X-box isnt that good. It is a lot better on ps2 i have got to say. It doesn't quite feel you have full control of the players. As i said, if you have a ps2, get it for that.
Gameplay: As i said before madden 2003 for the x-box doesnt feel like you have full control of the players on the field. It takes a while to get familiar with the controls.
Graphics: As for every madden game that was on the x-box the graphics are quite simply amazing! The graphics are clear and feel like you are watching a game.
Sound: Same for every madden game on the xbox, the sound is also simply amazing. Clear noises and you can hear what the anouncers are talking about. From helmits smashing into each other and players screaming, the sound is great.
Suggestions: Make even more extras in the next madden.
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 70 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %
jaytoro112
Date reviewed: October 9, 2002.
Overall: Now quick listen to me! If you have this game anywhere near you whatsoever. even if your neighbor has it: go get it quickly and try to return it or better yet just go throw it in the garbage as fats as you can. This is the MOST HORRIBLE GAME i have ever seen for xbox. I would rather buy tetris than this junk. Anyone who has this game I feel sorry for you. That is a waste of money. Madden's name shouldnt be on that game he deserves better than that.
Gameplay: This is what really gets to me. The players look like they are 3 foot nothing in this game. It is so nasty I cant even look at that piece of s#*!, I know Xbox can do better than this, I mean they put out this magnificent game called NFL 2k3, which i highly recommend you get as fast as you can if you wanna play a real football game not this impostor. The gameplay on NFL2k3 is 500x better than they actually look normal. Madden is so lame, the moves suck, you go like 2mph running after people, the tackling is weak. Dont waste your money!
Graphics: Horrible, Ugly, Nasty, Awful, Terrible, Hideous, Any other synonyms you can think of THATS IT!! just Dont bother with this game. Go Buy NFL 2k3.......Please you'd be doing madden a favor. I'm pretty sure he doesnt like this game either.
Sound: CAN ANYONE PLEASE GIVE MADDEN SOME ANTI-DEPRESSANTS, he sounds so dull and lame in this game and the previous one. Please just throw this game away its not worth your time!
Suggestions: Dont bother witn a madden 2004,5,6 or whatever just quit now and save yourselves the embarassment. You'd be doing everyone a favor!
Overall: 30 %
Gameplay: 20 %
Graphics: 20 %
Sound: 20 %
Dulacc
Date reviewed: September 21, 2002.
Overall: A lot of the game is great. I played NCAA 2003 before, so I was familiar with the gameplay. It played just like it.
Gameplay: It's always been a good system. I liked the ability to check defensive assignments before the snap.
Graphics: Visually, it's alright. You have to knock it for essentially being a PS2 port, AGAIN. I can understand it for NCAA, because you have to account for 120 or so teams, but I expected a little more from MAdden
Sound: Here's where my major complaint is. The commentary is the SAME rehashed crap they put in 2002. Oh, you do get Al Michaels being Madden's yes man this time. wow. NFL 2k3 just kills Madden in the commentary aspect. The commentary alone makes NFL 2k3 better.
Suggestions: Get better commentary, obviously. Make John get into the recording booth for more than an hour, and do some real interactive commentary. OH, online and using the Xbox to its full potential wouldn't hurt, either.
Overall: 40 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 70 %
Sound: 20 %
Bryce Butler
Date reviewed: September 7, 2002.
Overall: After owning the other two football titles it is easy to say Madden 2003 is the best of this year's class of XBox pro football games. It plays like real football without the arcade-ish timewarp feeling of NFL 2K3 or the predictable feel-good NFL Fever series. Madden 2003 forces you to put together solid drives and play off your opponents weaknesses. Best of all the AI has been tweaked in this year's offering to open up the offense without compromising the overall defensive orientation of the pro game.
Gameplay: Excellent! Madden forces you into the role of football tactician and forces you to play a realistic, sound, and tight gameplan. Players who think last second heroics win games need not purchase this title (stick with Blitz). The feel of the game is definitely improved from last year. In both of EA's football titles this year the ability to shift defenses, not just audibles, sets their games apart from competitors. In the actual action phase Madden reigns supreme. There was nothing I hated more in the other two titles than a finesse cover corner like Duane Starks of the Arizona Cardinals making a textbook tackle on Tampa Bay fullback Mike Alstott despite my best efforts to stiff arm/run the little guy over. Madden is the only game where the reality of the 245 pound fullback sets in over the 170 pound defensive back.
Graphics: Simply not in NFL 2K3 or NFL Fever 2003's league but getting closer. The player models still need rework and refinement. The actual motion capture of player movemenets is right on the mark. Replays in this game are superior to NFL 2K3 and NFL Fever.
Sound: Excellent! Every time you pick up this game you feel like you are in a Monday Night Football Game. Michaels and Madden mesh nicely despite Madeen's occasional rambling (which makes this increasingly true to life, funny enough). Next to NFL 2K3's in-your-face nobody announcers and NFL Fever's poorly-chosen Ron Pitts and Kevin Callabro this game is superior. The icing on the cake is the on field sound. Gamplay sounds like the real thing and often leaves you wincing in pain!
Suggestions: Even though I don't care about it 1) online play capability. 2) Hopefully someone will put out a midseason update disk. 3) Keep working on the graphics. This would be the last piece of the puzzle to total Madden supremacy. 4) Get rid of the Madden Cards (cute, but totally unnecessary). 5) Keep tweaking the environmental aspects of being at a football game (crowd noise, etc). This is one thing baseball games on XBox have perfected but football has neglected. 6) Please make classic teams modifiable.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %
Swerve
Date reviewed: September 4, 2002.
Overall: This a good game but things kept it from being great.But it has all things u'd want for a franchise.
Gameplay: The game is very smooth and intact. But some of some of the things need a change real bad. Like the fact i play a friend and i know i can kick his ass. But he beats me by not pressing any thing on the controller only hikeing the ball and let computer do the rest.For example my friennds where playing each other and 1 of them hike the ball and didnt press anything and Warrick Dunn ran a TD 65 yards!
Graphics: The Graphis are ok but not 50% of xboxs potential.There needs to be some changes like NFL2K3 did.Maybe make the faces look realer rather like cartoon.
Sound: The sound is great i dont have anything to say about this. Now this is one of the things that should not change.Maybe some player chatter woul dbe nice.
Suggestions: I know u have a franchise here that u dont wanna change but dont u think its time for some. And please please take out that !&%$@#* where computer controls the player even after the person playing moves him.
Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 70 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 100 %
drink800
Date reviewed: September 4, 2002.
Overall: I have no idea how this game could get a bad review. I am a true football game fan and this game is by far the best football sim I have ever played. A true masterpiece!
Gameplay: The gameplay of madden has always been the best of all the football games, and yes I have played them all. This years game is truley exceptional.
Graphics: Visually, Madden is very good. It is not the best looking visually, but it is not enough of a problem to even notice. Gameplay makes up for any little visual problem there may be.
Sound: Al michaels truely brings this games sound to a new level. The game sounds are much improved over last years game. Very good.
Suggestions: Have more unusual stadiums and more severe weather.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %
MasterPayne
Date reviewed: August 23, 2002.
Overall: Great game! Awesome graphics and great detail. There isn't a whole lot of big changes from 2002 but lots of little ones that make it a lot better. People that say it sucks are just saying that because they bought the crappy Fever game. Cool feature is that you can upload players from EA's NCAA football game.
Gameplay: Awesome, lots of animations and moves. Better than the 2002 game and fever. Passing and running game are easy to use but require someknowledge if you play at the hardest level. Worth buying by itself. So fever has online play? Well wow now you can wait 2 and a half months for it to come out if you want to spend money toeven get it.
Graphics: Just a little better than 2002 which was great so these graphics are unbelievable. Much better than Fever. Theystill have big heads.Great detail and the fields and great.
Sound: Great sound.Madden and Al make a great team. This makes one more reason to buy the game. The players getting hit sounds so real it seems like you are watching a pro football game on TV.
Suggestions: Justkeeping making little improvements and then you will make the greatest football game ever.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %
KJdashocka
Date reviewed: August 21, 2002.
Overall: This game is the best football game out there. SCREW YOU NFL 2K3!!!!!!!!! Madden is the king. I don't know how you can have a better football simulation without playing the real game people, seriously, this game is awesome.
Gameplay: The gameplay is the best of any football game out there. NFL Fever is the same game as last year and i absolutely hate NFL 2k3 or any nfl 2k game. The physics of the ball are accurate and they portray real football. If you are on the run you aren't gonna throw the ball right on the mark and not a bullet each time either.
Graphics: Visually this game rocks. I think it totally kicks NFL 2k3's @$$. I don't think that it is as good at NFL Fever but Fever sucks in almost every other department. The field wears out during the game and the helmets look real. This year I can sorta tell the difference between some of the players, like its not one generic face for the white guys or black guys. I think it is the 2nd best visual football game out there.
Sound: The commentary has been upped even more this year with the addition of Al Michaels and the subtraction of that old @$$hole Pat Summerall. John Madden has his usual stupid @$$ remarks but they usually go along with what is happening on the field. The onfield talk and sound effects are top notch too.
Suggestions: WHY THE HELL DON'T WE SEE MELISSA STARK ON THE SIDELINE?????? I mean she is sorta part of the game. That is a minor thing but otherwise i would make the running game just a tad easier next year so we don't have to tweak the sliders to make running realistic.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 90 %
zipossible
Date reviewed: August 20, 2002.
Overall: This game is amazing grpahics are amazing game play is amazing the music is so cool i love this game.
Gameplay: controls are perfect game play is very smooth looks to real i love it it appealed to me more then nfl fever becuae madden rules.
Graphics: Graphics are amazing no lag no cuts smoothhhhh looks to real. i mean the moves of the players are amazing.
Sound: they added up to date music very cool music like bon jovi um i forget the others but some popular singers.
Suggestions: Perfect!
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %
Grand Prix 1
Date reviewed: August 19, 2002.
Overall: Madden is simply a better simulation of real football than anything else - including Sega 2K3.
The overall appeal is for hardcore football fans - fans of the actual sport - not fans of football video games. The players look real and proportioned, the speed relative to the field size is correct (a player runs 40 yards in - you guessed it - about 4.5-5 seconds, unless they are a lineman)
The gfx are equal to anything else - alot of subtle flourishes in movement, the high step, etc. I've heard some say (very stupid reviewers) that the juke isn't realistic, yet I saw a juke on Monday Night Football tonight that looked like it was the juke motion captured for the game. The spin isn't something you see very often in real football, it could probably be replaced with the shoulder drop.
Sound is well... it's mostly Al Michaels with the MNF woman on the sidelines (you never see her) and Madden's usual idiotic comments - which after watching a real MNF game tonight - is just about right.
At least MNF lost Eric Dickerson and Dennis Miller - thankfully they are not in Madden 2003.
Smoothness is fine - as it should be on the Xbox - tv transitions seem much much less intrusive than Sega 2K3 - which seems determined to bash you over the head with the fact it has the ESPN license.
Thankfully 2K3 doesn't have Joe Theismann, but I digress.
Season mode and roster changes, plus player creation and practice mode still set the standard - the mini camp is new and somewhat fun - winning Madden cards from Topps or whomever makes the cards isn't what I buy a game for - more sim - less unlocking Mario brothers idiocy.
Here's where Madden 2003 outshines all others, esp. 2K3 - the historics. The old teams actually have correct uniforms - unlike 2K3 which messes many of the uniforms up - although neither game have the actual rosters - just made up ones with stats that may or may not have reflected that team that year - go figure. If the All Star 70s team in EA NBA can have Doctor J - why can't Madden 2003 have Walter Payton? Who knows.
Gameplay: Here is where the game is best. The proportion in speed to action. From the time the ball is snapped to the time the whistle blows almost exactly matches a real NFL play. Sega 2K3 is about 25% faster than the NFL on tv. Also, Seka 2K3 players look like parade floats and not real players. But back to Madden...
The DBs are smart - the WRs sit down in open spots when the D plays zone, the time it takes for a DL to beat an OL and pressure the QB, and the amount of space opened by OL for the running game are all the best and most realistic on the market.
Scrambling with the QB, the way players hit and gang tackle - these are all improvements over previous versions. The physics are now quite interesting, a player with forward momentum is much more likely to break a tackle than one moving laterally to the tackler, unless a stiff arm is used. Tips seem quite good and cornerbacks breaking on the slant and quick routes is just as good as NCAA 2003. Plus you can import draftees from NCAA 2003 - you could quickly digress into a complete fantasy season by 2006.
Graphics: As I stated earlier - the reflective surfaces, and esp. the grass textures - are the best. There are no 3D crowds, but so what. Somebody said the feeling of size in stadiums is better in 2k3, this is wrong - Stadiums, esp the big screen - works much better in Madden.
It isn't perfect, but again, the proportions of the players is so much better.
Sound: Sound - beyond the commentary - is one big criticism. The "Let's Party Hard" i Coors song plus a bad Bon Jovi ballad had me turning music off immediately. Bring back the rap. Put the theme song to the Sopranos on - anything else.
Michaels commentary is the most realistic of any - beats Lee COrso any day.
Suggestions: Free agency could be alot more realistic - agents could pimp the players and players could holdout. But at least players get worse if you bench them and get better of you give them PT - a big plus.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 90 %
Subguy
Date reviewed: August 19, 2002.
Overall: I think it has great overall appeal.
It is kinda the same as last year only improved. Graphics improved slightly. Speed improved slightly.It is still the best football sim to date. The stats for the simmed games are much more realistic that the competition. Franchise mode is deep. Pre season shows player inprovements or declines.
Gameplay: The gameplay is great. Passing has been improved and the controls are easy to adapt to. The graphics are noslouch as coaches appear to be improved and there are a few added animations.
Graphics: Graphically it may not be as crisp , but overall the are aloy of nice touches. Stadiums and fans look nice. The grass looks great and the player models are also very nice. Added animations add a lot to this game.
Sound: The sound is greatly inproved with Summerall gone. Al Michaels is a welcome addition. Game sounds are good. but this has always been an area of improvement for EA.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 90 %
BigBaller
Date reviewed: August 18, 2002.
Overall: Great great game. I don't see why everyone hates the graphics, just because they look the same. The bodies and color are the same but look at the faces of the players, and coaches, it looks way better then last year. True, the gameplay is a little slower, but as much slower it is, thats how much closer to real life it is. The college draft in franchise mode is way better, and the progression is way better. People actually get worse if they are at 3rd string QB.
Gameplay: The gameplay, again, is a little slower the other games. However, this game is closer to real. Not many people can cross the field, and run for 90 yard TDs as fast as they were able to on the older games.
Graphics: It looks great. Last year was great accept for a couple minor things like faces. 2003 fixed it that faces resemble the player or the coach it is supposed to.
Sound: All the sounds needed for a football game are here. Not much else to it.........
Suggestions: On 2004, make it so attitudes somehow are involved. Make a player explode in anger on his teammate after a dropped pass, or missed block. Make people get into scuffles.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %
Marc
Date reviewed: August 18, 2002.
Overall: Madden has always been the best video football simulation on the market. It still is. The simulated statistics in the Madden series have always been as close to perfect as they can be. This is an area in which Madden 2003 doesn't disappoint. Most of the traits for which the Madden series is famous are included and improved in Madden 2003. One GLARING omission is the fact that Electronic Arts, in their infinite wisdom, chose to not make Madden 2003 compatable with xbox live. This has to be the biggest screw up in the long, sad history of screw ups and one that Electronic Arts probably won't have the good sense to regret. Still, Madden 2003, although it falls far short of what it could be, remains the best professional football simulation on the market.
Gameplay: The gameplay in Madden 2003 is as strong as ever. The offense, the running game, and the passing game, are perfect. Defense is a pleasure to play. I especially like the control of the defensive backs when defending passes. The special teams modes are accurately represented and the kicking game is fun. The franchise mode is just mindblowing. The statistic tracking is almost perfect. The only thing keeping this from being the best football game ever made is the omission of online play via xbox live. Someone at Electronic Arts must have decided that supporting Sony was more important than making money. Look up there next to my name. You see that little picture with NFL 2K3 league on it? If Electronic Arts had included online play via xbox live, that little picture would read "Madden 2003 league." All of the greatness that Madden 2003 could have achieved is undercut by that one inexplicably STUPID move. Electronic Arts was 100 yards from the summit of the MT. Everest of the gaming world, but failed to reach the summit due to their own stupidity.
Graphics: The visual appeal is as good as can be expected, for a port. Yet again, Electronic Arts has neglected to take advantage of the capabilities of the xbox. Instead of being designed from the ground up specifically for the xbox, Electronic Arts chooses to take the easy way out and just port it over. That's fine, because the game still looks pretty freaking good. However, it falls far short of what it could be. For that reason, and that reason alone, Madden 2003 takes a backseat to NFL Fever 2003 and NFL 2K3 in the area of visual appeal. It's really pretty sad that a company that produces such great games can be that !&%$@#* lazy. The graphics are not as good as they could be, but they are still way above average.
Sound: The biggest area of imporvement in Madden 2003 can be found in the area of sound. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Pat Summerall. He was a great football player and is a wonderful human being. I kept Madden 2002 soley because his voice is on it. I hear a lot of people complaining about him, but in reality he was one of the greatest commentators that ever lived. That being said, I was really pleased with the chemistry that exists between Al Michaels and John Madden in Madden 2003. The new commentary is excellent. The soundtrack, if your into that, is full of good music. I don't care because that's now why I bought the game. The sound effects on the field and the crowd noise are both excellent.
Suggestions: Add xbox live compatabilty and design Madden 2004 with the capabilities of the xbox in mind. If possible, somehow fix it this year so that Madden 2003 may be played on xbox live. And here's a thought, try to get your nose out of Sony's ass. It is pretty low that you chose to support Sony's pathetic excuse for an online unplan and not Microsoft's. And yes, I read the interview in which your representative said that Microsoft, "really hasn't given us the details of what their service will look like." Bull schit. Microsoft has the best online ideology ever created for console gaming and they furnished all the developers with the protocols. I also read the comment that dealt with Microsoft being confused over whose customers are whose. Just to be clear, PS2 owners and Xbox owners are Sony's customers and Microsoft's customers first. That's why they call you guys a third party developer. If anyone is confused as to whose customers are whose, it is not Microsoft, it is Electronic Arts. For example, this year, due to your unbelievablely shameless decision to support Sony's online unplan over xbox live, I was forced to buy Sega's NFL 2K3. It turns out I had enough cash and was pissed off enough at the "threatening to strike" baseball players that I was able to trade World Series Baseball for 25 bucks in-store credit and buy Madden 2003. If I hadn't had that set of foruitous cir !&%$@#* stances, there would be 50 dollars less in your coffers. It turns out that NFL 2K3 is a great game, not all that far behind Madden 2003. My point is, your game was OPTIONAL this year for one reason which I have stated multiple times. Whose customer am I? EA's? Sega's? No, I am Microsoft's customer, because I play EA's software and Sega's software on Microsoft's console, without which there would be no buying of either party's software. If I'm stuck playing NFL 2K3 on xbox due to the lack of support Electronic Arts gives the xbox, I can learn to live with it.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 90 %
bobbybear54
Date reviewed: August 16, 2002.
Overall: Boy am i glad i did not buy this game.In plain english tjis game sucks.Dont even waste your time with this one.
Gameplay: It move very slow. I just wanted to toss this game through my window. It is the same game as last year with miner improvements.
Graphics: Close up it looks ok.Other then that a little blury it really shows when the players are lined up on the field. The cheerleader look really bad for the ten seconds at half.
Sound: Not to bad i will say. All the sounds in foooot ball are pretty munch there. From whistles to hits baby.
Suggestions: EA you better change this game next year or youll be no 2 to the greates sports maker sega sports
Overall: 60 %
Gameplay: 50 %
Graphics: 50 %
Sound: 80 %
muscles4life
Date reviewed: August 15, 2002.
Overall: I returned NFL Fever 2003 to get Madden instead. Madden's graphics are the only thing holding this game from being a perfect five. The only reason I say that is because after playing Fever I got spoiled, because that game is as close to perfect in the graphics department you can get. Don't get me wrong, for a port Madden's graphics are good, just not the best. This game just seems so realistic, and I like all the options in it.
Gameplay: This game has great options, I love the minicamp, what a great way to get better at the game. The gameplay is definitly simulation in every way, from the tackling, catching, running and throwing it is perfection. I played Fever 2002 all this year till now, and now I realize how fake it is compared to Madden. Fever was just pretty, Madden makes you realize it's not just about graphics, it's the gameplay that matters. Too bad we can't have both yet.
Graphics: Like I said earlier, great for a port, but not as good as Fever. Madden does have ALOT more animations and celebrations and better replays. I just wish they would make it for Xbox first, then port it to the others.
Sound: AWESOME!!!!! Al Michaels is great, what an improvement over Pat. Al's announcing doesn't even sound scripted, it sounds like he's announcing the game live. This was the best thing Madden could have done. Plus there is more of Al and less of Madden, which to me is good.(Madden bugs me) The on field sound are great and the fans react well to what's happening on the field.
Suggestions: Make Madden 2004 for Xbox specifications first, then port to the others.
Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %
Brunoorsini41
Date reviewed: August 15, 2002.
Overall: This game is great!!. The last guy that gave it a 3 doesn't know much about football (or it seems). This game has a great number of differences with madden 2002, you'll notice it in the field with the rushing system, which has been changed. You can also notice it with Al Michaels isn't he so much better than ol' Pat??, small.... but it is a change. Theres also a couple of new modes!! where would you ever find that in a different football series. And theres more...... Great gameplay, great sound, and an improved Franchise mode!. If that's not change I don't know what is.
Gameplay: The gameply is solid, just like last years game, the attack is fun and now runs a bit faster. The defence is clearly a lot more fun with different kinds of tackles and a few other new options.
Graphics: The visual is great but it's the only area where they failed to make a number of changes. Don't get me wrong the graphics are exellent, the only drop back is that I was able to find just a couple of improvemnts compared to 2002.
Sound: Finally the sound is decent!, with Pat gone and Al in, Madden seems like a real TV broadcast game. Soundtrack is pretty good too.
Suggestions: Just keep on producing this great Madden series.
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %
SpIdeRmAn2099
Date reviewed: August 14, 2002.
Overall: This is the best realistic football game ever! Its the best Madden so far..alot of changes. Buy this game if you are a NFL fan!
Gameplay: If you liked the passing from last year..its better and it kicks butt. The running is way better now than last years!This game owns
Graphics: The graphics are better now. The crowd is better and also the grass! And the players talk and stuff like that.
Sound: The sound is way cool. If you have sorround sound it kicks butt.buy this game now! this is sweeet!
Suggestions: Keep it up!
Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %