$9.95		(Win98/2000/Me/XP) (Mini Retail) (MADDEN03PR)

Publisher: EA Sports

Ratings:

5/5 from The Dallas Morning News

The Best Gets Better

Madden is the ultimate judge with over 13 years of tournament tested gameplay. All new features include interior running that works and that you can see, improved pass blocking which forms the pocket more accurately, new receiver hot routes at the line of scrimmage, and a host of new trick plays that work thanks to "faked out" AI logic.

The toughest defense ever now includes defensive strafe move which allows defenders to square up and make the tackle in the proper position, independent pre-play control of your DL and LB plus the ability to modify secondary coverage on the fly, and new defensive formations such as 7 DBs, 46, and variations of many 2-Deep schemes.

Whether it’s the more than 300 extremely detailed player faces, the new high-res cheerleaders, all-new technology for crowds, playing fields, and stadiums, or a host of new in-game animations like signature sidearm QBs, new RB stiff-arm moves, gang-tackling, hitting without the ball, and stand-still receiver catches, Madden NFL 2003 sets the standard for graphic quality.

Features:

The Next Level of Online Play - Join EA SPORTS Online* and play in Quick Tournaments, Online 2 Minute Drill, and Mini-camp Challenges as well as traditional ranked play with detailed online stats.

All-New Mini-Camp Mode - Features John Madden's Cruiser Tour Bus traveling to all NFL cities to complete skilled tasks. Take control of players in practice gear and become an expert in all player positions in your ultimate goal to earn unique Madden cards.

Create-A-Playbook - Customize receiver routes, player formations, and your team's entire playbook. Create virtually any play imaginable and play it on the field immediately.

Improved Graphics and Presentation - New signature player animations like sidearm QBs, gang-tackling, stand-still receiver catches; new cut scenes with high-poly cheerleaders and additional emotion-based bench scenes; more than 300 realistic player faces; cinematic approach to camera positions gives new, more natural feel.

Dramatic Presentation - Cinematic camera shots give a more natural look to the game, while new, high-drama replays, improved player faces and eye tracking, and dramatically improved crowds, grass, and lighting makes this a game like no other.

Audio Dream Team - The Monday Night Football team of John Madden and Al Michaels handles commentary, with dynamic play-by-play and more analysis than ever before. New audio engine delivers appropriate commentary based on current game situation and player/team statistics. Greater use of on-field player sounds, including player banter, offensive and defensive audible calls, crushing hits and improved crowd reaction sounds.

New Game play Mechanics - Faster game speed; players follow through, making hits on people without the ball; tighter control with quicker animations and reduced player momentum; more finely tuned passing game; independent audibles for defensive line, linebackers, and defensive backs.

Franchise Mode Enhancements - Just as you can in the real NFL, you'll evaluate and progress rookies, free agents and created players during a four- game pre-season; Export a franchise team to exhibition play; Rookie Scouting Reports serve as a new way to evaluate rookies.

Ask Madden - Legendary coach John Madden provides strategy and advice during both offensive and defensive play calling.

Requirements:

Windows 98/2000/Me/XP: Pentium II 450, 128MB RAM, 16MB 3D DirectX compatible graphics card, 8X CDROM, DirectX compatible sound card, Mouse, Keyboard.

Note: Windows 95/NT are not supported.

Reviews:

The Dallas Morning News by Eric Butcher

"The old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," certainly applies here. With Madden NFL 2003, the developers at Tiburon didn't try to "fix" anything. What they did, in fact, was the impossible -- they made a perfect game of football even more perfect."

"There's nothing quite like the feeling of scoring a winning touchdown in the final minute of a 10-10 tie against Steve Spurrier and the Washington Redskins (using the Dallas Cowboys, of course). It is that feeling of exhilaration from which Madden draws its strength.

"This time around, the computer A.I. is extremely smart -- so smart that it catches on to your tendencies often before you do. If you constantly snap the ball with 10 seconds left on the play clock, the defense will jump the snap count and blow up the play. By the same token, you can use this to your advantage to draw the defense offsides by changing the snap count regularly.

"All in all, we're talking about the most realistic game of football around. Accurate stats and scores, even with the massive 15-minute quarters I like to use. An accurate level of difficulty without having to adjust sliders. It's Madden, folks - you know what to expect by now."

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