PlayStation

Madden NFL 97

This game was well worth the wait; this new PS installment is better than ever. Now you have all of your favorite teams on one CD with no hidden codes to find like in previous Genesis versions. The gameplay is incredible and is a big part of what makes this game so good. The precision player movements and actual football formations will make this year's Madden stand head and shoulders above the rest. The graphics and sound are awesome.

I can honestly say that I am set in the football game department for a long, long time. Unless Gameday 2 puts me in a trance and forces me to buy it, make mine Madden. This is the best football game on the market, period. Forget Gamebreakers, sell your Gameday, take back QB Club '97, and don't even think about getting TechmoBowl, (unless its for half price and plays on your gameboy, it's trash, really) and leave those other imitations on the shelf, and wait and see what Gameday has to offer.

Elway takes a four step drop, his eyes light up as Sharpe comes wide open. He cocks his arm, wham, the next thing he is doing is sucking on some sod because Seau levelled him. You can almost feel Elway's agony when this situation occurs while you play Madden 97 on the Sony PlayStation.

For a first effort, EA's Madden NFL 97 is a fine offering. But despite its excellent features, graphics, and teams, players may wander back to NFL GameDay for a simple game of football.

Despite the problems with the AI and control, there are a lot of things this game does right: penalties, extensive options, stats, crisp sound, detailed stadiums and fantastic in-game highlights with player photos. The game's TV-like presentation is incredibly polished and a joy to behold. That's why it is so frustrating (dare I say maddening?) that the AI is as sloppy as it is. If the developers can tighten this area up for their next release, the franchise may be able to reclaim the football throne. In the meantime, Sony is keeping it nice and warm.