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Back for a second iteration on the GameCube console, Madden NFL 2003 pushes a stack of improvements and enhanced graphics as reasons to purchase this
November 14, 2003 | 10:00 PM PSTby: Lee Harris
NFL Football. A sport so many Americans love. Madden, which has been around ever since its debut in 1991, has dominated the NFL gaming world. The Madden games (which, of course, is named after John Madden, an NFL commentator) have almost always had the most options and has been the most true-to-football gaming experience, which is a reason so many people enjoy the series. Each year the game becomes better and better, and this year is no exception. Last year’s game, Madden NFL 2002, which was the first Madden game on GameCube, was truly an improvement from the Nintendo 64 games. If you’re wondering what improvements have been made sense the 2002 game, look no further than below.
Graphics:
Madden 2003 boasts great graphics (almost every year, and they always improve), and a lot of improvement from last year’s graphics. The field seems to have much better texturing, including baseball dirt from fields that often play baseball games (like 49er’s field). This definitely adds to the realism of the Madden experience. The coaches and layers on the sideline are also more detailed, although some have block hands. The detail of the stadium is a little more accurate, although I noticed the outside of the stadium (which isn’t important) isn’t really accurate. The replays are also better. There are replays that show great plays, hard hits (which they replay three times), interceptions (which is nicely done with the 360 degree spin around), and great runs. The camera angles can be changed, although I prefer default (Madden Cam, I think it is called). The camera angles make the game realistic, and at first glance I said to myself, “Is this really a game?” The realism will knock you off your feet. It’s that realistic, although there is always room for improvement. This game definitely defeats its opponents in the graphics category. No other NFL game can compare.
Sound:
As with the rest of the game, sound has improved. Of course the broadcasting has changed because Madden changed from Fox to Monday Night Football (on ABC) and the fact that Pat Summerall recently retired. However, the change only adds to the excitement of the game. Al Michaels, the replacement for Pat Summerall and MNF broadcaster with Madden, has a more appealing voice for a video game. Like previous games, Madden isn’t the “lead” announcer. Instead, his comments are more relaxed until after a play is done and Al Michaels makes a comment. For the most part, the commentating is actually interesting to listen to and doesn’t really get boring. Both of the announcers put about five days into recording all the sayings inside the game, so that tells you there is lots of sayings within the game.
Also improved are sound effects. The tackles are now much more defined, and actually sound realistic. A hard hit makes more noise than a softer hit, for example. You’ll also often hear voices during a run play scream, “RUN!” which was pretty neat. The crowd also plays a role in the sound department. For example, the crowd will cheer for the home team and boo the counterpart. The crowd will also boo the home team if they make bad plays or lose the game, just like in real life. Of course there is also the music on the menu (and in some parts of the game like mini-camp), which features various songs. If you like rock music you’re sure to enjoy most or all of the music.
Gameplay:
The gameplay hasn’t changed a whole lot from Madden 2002. The major change (or rather improvement) from last year’s game is definitely the controls. The controls haven’t drastically changed, but they have moved around a bit. An example would be viewing an offensive (or defensive) play at the line of scrimmage; this season the C-Stick is used, while last year it wasn‘t even in the game. A questionable decision can be asked about the turbo being different on offense and defense; on offense it is the A button and on defense it is the X button. This sometimes can create confusion for new players. Some other improvements are the juke move (which works extremely well for running the ball), audible at the line of scrimmage, including hot routes, cornerbacks blocking, intercepting, and moving while facing the line of scrimmage. Quarterback options are also improved. Some quarterbacks use side-arm throws, which can avoid knocked-down passes at the line of scrimmage. Another neat tid-bit added is when a runner is near the endzone and no one is in a position to make a tackle, you can press the Y, L, or R buttons to do a taunt while rushing into the endzone for a score. All of these added improvements just adds excitement to the gameplay of Madden and its realism.
What makes Madden 2003 better than last year’s game is the selection of modes to choose from. Of course, as with all Madden games, the main mode and focus is the season (although the name “Season Mode” is no longer intact). Instead, its name is Franchise mode. Let’s get into some of the information for the main modes.
Mini-Camp:
In this mode each city contains a mini-camp. While Dallas’ mini-camp practices the running attack with Emmitt Smith, Jacksonville’s min-camp practices the passing game with Mark Brunell. Depending on the difficulty you select, each camp becomes harder. There are only eight different practices and four difficulty levels. (Quarterback Pocket Presence, Quarterback Precision Passing, Runningback Ground Attack, Linebacker Chase and Tackle, Defensive Lineman Trench Fight, Defensive Back Swat Ball, Kicker Clutch Kicking, and Punters Coffin Corner Punt) For each of the mini-game you must earn a gold trophy to obtain a Madden Card (used for cheating). Also, each mini-game has stipulations in which you can earn another Madden Card after completing. This new addition is a lot of fun and a great way to put the Madden Cards into the game.
Franchise Mode:
In Franchise Mode, you start out by selecting a team (or teams if you want, including custom made teams). The game allows thirty seasons of play, which of course you probably won’t complete considering 2004 will be coming along shortly. Before the season begins, Preseason is played (or you can choose to skip it). In preseason you can evaluate players and see if you want to trade or release players, just like done in the NFL. During the course of the season all statistics are saved and recorded within the game just like the NFL. Awards are awarded weekly depending on the player’s (or computer’s) performances. After week eight, Pro Bowl votes begin to see who will go to Honolulu to play in the Pro Bowl. MVP awards also start after week eight. After playing the season playoffs begin to see who will reach the Super Bowl. Also, the offseason schedule allows you to scout players to see if you want them on your team. Loads of information about the players and how good they are, their draft round number, etc. is available. This entire section of the game is almost identical to the real NFL, which makes Madden stick out from the rest of the pack.
Tournament:
Tournament mode is basically the playoffs. However, you can pick the teams who are playing, the amount of teams (8 or 16), and tournament type. This part of the game really doesn’t stick out much, but it can be some fun if you’re going to play more than one game with friends.
Others include Two Minute Drill, which you have two minutes to score as many points as possible and accumulate points while doing so, Football 101 and Practice, which are almost the same thing. John Madden helps explain plays to you and how to execute them flawlessly. It’s a good start off to Madden 2003 to get to feel of the controls. Situation allows you to create your own game situation. You can control all aspects of the game (the score of either or both teams, their timeouts, the quarter of play, time left in the quarter, etc.). It’s neat to control all aspects of the game before you begin playing.
Lastibility:
As with most sports titles, they just last. They have the ability to last years. With the new addition and features, Madden 2003 can last a long, long time. Since the Franchise mode can last 30 seasons in itself, the game offers lots of value for that department alone. If you have friends who enjoy playing, you’ll have just about unlimited replay value. The difficulty can also provide challenges to make you play a few times. To earn all the Madden cards is a challenge in itself and could take you some time to complete. The game could last forever. Of course you’ll probably buy next year’s installment though. Let’s hope next year will be just as good if not better!
Overall:
If you’re a fan of NFL (if you’re not, why are you reading this?) this is a must-have game. With much improvements made by EA, you can only benefit from this game. If you’ve never been a fan of Madden, now has never been a better time. With all the features, lovely graphics, and in-depth gameplay, Madden is a game you should hop into. Next year can only become better. Plus, there is no longer any SEGA sports titles for the GameCube. Madden definitely is the NFL choice.
Graphics:
Madden 2003 boasts great graphics (almost every year, and they always improve), and a lot of improvement from last year’s graphics. The field seems to have much better texturing, including baseball dirt from fields that often play baseball games (like 49er’s field). This definitely adds to the realism of the Madden experience. The coaches and layers on the sideline are also more detailed, although some have block hands. The detail of the stadium is a little more accurate, although I noticed the outside of the stadium (which isn’t important) isn’t really accurate. The replays are also better. There are replays that show great plays, hard hits (which they replay three times), interceptions (which is nicely done with the 360 degree spin around), and great runs. The camera angles can be changed, although I prefer default (Madden Cam, I think it is called). The camera angles make the game realistic, and at first glance I said to myself, “Is this really a game?” The realism will knock you off your feet. It’s that realistic, although there is always room for improvement. This game definitely defeats its opponents in the graphics category. No other NFL game can compare.
Sound:
As with the rest of the game, sound has improved. Of course the broadcasting has changed because Madden changed from Fox to Monday Night Football (on ABC) and the fact that Pat Summerall recently retired. However, the change only adds to the excitement of the game. Al Michaels, the replacement for Pat Summerall and MNF broadcaster with Madden, has a more appealing voice for a video game. Like previous games, Madden isn’t the “lead” announcer. Instead, his comments are more relaxed until after a play is done and Al Michaels makes a comment. For the most part, the commentating is actually interesting to listen to and doesn’t really get boring. Both of the announcers put about five days into recording all the sayings inside the game, so that tells you there is lots of sayings within the game.
Also improved are sound effects. The tackles are now much more defined, and actually sound realistic. A hard hit makes more noise than a softer hit, for example. You’ll also often hear voices during a run play scream, “RUN!” which was pretty neat. The crowd also plays a role in the sound department. For example, the crowd will cheer for the home team and boo the counterpart. The crowd will also boo the home team if they make bad plays or lose the game, just like in real life. Of course there is also the music on the menu (and in some parts of the game like mini-camp), which features various songs. If you like rock music you’re sure to enjoy most or all of the music.
Gameplay:
The gameplay hasn’t changed a whole lot from Madden 2002. The major change (or rather improvement) from last year’s game is definitely the controls. The controls haven’t drastically changed, but they have moved around a bit. An example would be viewing an offensive (or defensive) play at the line of scrimmage; this season the C-Stick is used, while last year it wasn‘t even in the game. A questionable decision can be asked about the turbo being different on offense and defense; on offense it is the A button and on defense it is the X button. This sometimes can create confusion for new players. Some other improvements are the juke move (which works extremely well for running the ball), audible at the line of scrimmage, including hot routes, cornerbacks blocking, intercepting, and moving while facing the line of scrimmage. Quarterback options are also improved. Some quarterbacks use side-arm throws, which can avoid knocked-down passes at the line of scrimmage. Another neat tid-bit added is when a runner is near the endzone and no one is in a position to make a tackle, you can press the Y, L, or R buttons to do a taunt while rushing into the endzone for a score. All of these added improvements just adds excitement to the gameplay of Madden and its realism.
What makes Madden 2003 better than last year’s game is the selection of modes to choose from. Of course, as with all Madden games, the main mode and focus is the season (although the name “Season Mode” is no longer intact). Instead, its name is Franchise mode. Let’s get into some of the information for the main modes.
Mini-Camp:
In this mode each city contains a mini-camp. While Dallas’ mini-camp practices the running attack with Emmitt Smith, Jacksonville’s min-camp practices the passing game with Mark Brunell. Depending on the difficulty you select, each camp becomes harder. There are only eight different practices and four difficulty levels. (Quarterback Pocket Presence, Quarterback Precision Passing, Runningback Ground Attack, Linebacker Chase and Tackle, Defensive Lineman Trench Fight, Defensive Back Swat Ball, Kicker Clutch Kicking, and Punters Coffin Corner Punt) For each of the mini-game you must earn a gold trophy to obtain a Madden Card (used for cheating). Also, each mini-game has stipulations in which you can earn another Madden Card after completing. This new addition is a lot of fun and a great way to put the Madden Cards into the game.
Franchise Mode:
In Franchise Mode, you start out by selecting a team (or teams if you want, including custom made teams). The game allows thirty seasons of play, which of course you probably won’t complete considering 2004 will be coming along shortly. Before the season begins, Preseason is played (or you can choose to skip it). In preseason you can evaluate players and see if you want to trade or release players, just like done in the NFL. During the course of the season all statistics are saved and recorded within the game just like the NFL. Awards are awarded weekly depending on the player’s (or computer’s) performances. After week eight, Pro Bowl votes begin to see who will go to Honolulu to play in the Pro Bowl. MVP awards also start after week eight. After playing the season playoffs begin to see who will reach the Super Bowl. Also, the offseason schedule allows you to scout players to see if you want them on your team. Loads of information about the players and how good they are, their draft round number, etc. is available. This entire section of the game is almost identical to the real NFL, which makes Madden stick out from the rest of the pack.
Tournament:
Tournament mode is basically the playoffs. However, you can pick the teams who are playing, the amount of teams (8 or 16), and tournament type. This part of the game really doesn’t stick out much, but it can be some fun if you’re going to play more than one game with friends.
Others include Two Minute Drill, which you have two minutes to score as many points as possible and accumulate points while doing so, Football 101 and Practice, which are almost the same thing. John Madden helps explain plays to you and how to execute them flawlessly. It’s a good start off to Madden 2003 to get to feel of the controls. Situation allows you to create your own game situation. You can control all aspects of the game (the score of either or both teams, their timeouts, the quarter of play, time left in the quarter, etc.). It’s neat to control all aspects of the game before you begin playing.
Lastibility:
As with most sports titles, they just last. They have the ability to last years. With the new addition and features, Madden 2003 can last a long, long time. Since the Franchise mode can last 30 seasons in itself, the game offers lots of value for that department alone. If you have friends who enjoy playing, you’ll have just about unlimited replay value. The difficulty can also provide challenges to make you play a few times. To earn all the Madden cards is a challenge in itself and could take you some time to complete. The game could last forever. Of course you’ll probably buy next year’s installment though. Let’s hope next year will be just as good if not better!
Overall:
If you’re a fan of NFL (if you’re not, why are you reading this?) this is a must-have game. With much improvements made by EA, you can only benefit from this game. If you’ve never been a fan of Madden, now has never been a better time. With all the features, lovely graphics, and in-depth gameplay, Madden is a game you should hop into. Next year can only become better. Plus, there is no longer any SEGA sports titles for the GameCube. Madden definitely is the NFL choice.
February 8, 2010
