The Armchair Empire - Classic Gaming: NFL Madden 2002


	Platform N64 Genre Sports Publisher Electronic Arts Developer Electronic Arts ESRB E (Everyone) Released Q3 2001

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NFL Madden 2002

Two words why sports-lovin’ N64 owners should buy NFL Madden 2002 (M2K2): Classic Madden! The glory days of the 16-Bit Kings is but a distant memory to most and ancient history to many more, but dammit if I didn’t shed a tear when playing M2K2.

While I wasn’t bawling, groping for tissues, and reaching for the phone to call my 12-Step sponsor, it was a genuine trip down memory lane and I did shed a happy tear or two.

M2K2 is the last sports game from Electronic Arts for the N64 so I felt I had to savor every moment – and even though the system is “aging” and it’s all but “dead” I couldn’t help but have fun. Basically, M2K2 is just like all its other incarnations on the XBox, PS2, and GameCube – without the graphical and aural flash that 128-bits affords. Maybe you’ve already closeted your trusty N64 for one of the “better” systems but if you’re still playing, M2K2 won’t disappoint.

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M2K2 has lots of options – what we’ve come to expect from anything EA produces. Most will go unused by the average player but they won’t be disappointed by the gridiron action. The plays are numerous – almost too numerous – and if you want to get a firm handle on what you’re doing you’ll want to try the Training mode. Picking plays is not the problem; it’s deciding the right one for the current situation that’s the tough part. The computer AI offers good challenge but nothing compares to

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playing against human opponents on a snowy/rainy winter day. And there’s the addition of Cheerleader Cards, which are earned during the course of a game and can imbue abilities to your team members. (Much like the Cards earned in NHL 2002.)

Control has no weakness that I’ve been able to discern. They’re responsive and easy to get a handle on even though nearly every button on the control is used. (Though I didn’t find myself using more than three of them consistently.)

Graphics move smoothly for the most part – I only had one or two moments of slow-down – and players all tend to look exactly the same. The team jerseys and logos are rendered well and you’ll never stumble in the middle of a game and wonder which team is yours. Compared to other games on the N64, M2K2 ranks on the higher end of the graphical scale. Sound is sparse but there’s actually quite a bit packed into the cartridge. Obviously, the commenting is somewhat general, like “They’ve got to start scoring if they expect to win” but it works.

The action in M2K2 will keep you busy for a while but eventually you’ll want to go back in time and play Classic Madden (which I actually played before I tried M2K2). I could argue that Classic Madden is worth the price of admission but I’m likely to be in the minority. But as I’m writing the review, to hell with the majority! The graphics are 16-bit goodness – blocky as all hell with little numbers under your currently controlled player. The camera never moves. It never wavers from the top-down ¾ perspective, the action moving from top to bottom – light years beyond the side-scrolling Tecmo Bowl on the NES. Control – My God! You mean there was such a thing as using only three buttons? In short, Classic Madden is pure, unadulterated goodness best enjoyed with two players. (It also presents the question as to why the hell more “classic” 16-bit games haven’t been included with the latest and greatest games. Why? WHY?)

If you own a next generation platform it’s a no-brainer that you should buy M2K2 for it and skip the N64 version. But for N64 owners, enjoy!

- Omni