PlayStation 2

NFL 2K2

All told, this 2K2 is great, not just because it's the only real alternative to Madden, but because it has truly shortened the distance between itselfand the EA franchise. The Dreamcast? It's been left in the dust.

NFL 2K2 is a fantastic football game that you'll either love or hate, depending on your personal tastes. Deciding whether it's the game for you simply depends on what type of football game you like. NFL 2K2 is an action-packed football game that plays more like the 16-bit football games of old than the latest generation of momentum-based simulations. In NFL 2K2, when you make the catch you know you made it, because you threw the ball accurately and you got the receiver in the right place at the right time, and he actually caught the ball because you hit the catch button just as the ball reached him.

NFL 2K2 has it all, speed, realism, attention to detail, fantastic graphics, superb commentary (and audio effects), incredibly responsive controls and nearly infinite replay value! Make sure NFL 2K2 is in your PS2 gaming library; you're not a sports gamer until you've played NFL 2K2. Now if you excuse me, I'll be winning the Super Bowl with my NY, Giants!

Despite the flaws that NFL 2K2 has, it’s easily the best football game this year. It’s not as deep as Madden, but when you look at how a game plays, and how much fun it is to play a game of football, 2K2 runs off in that category. I can only imagine how good 2K3 will be, considering this game was somewhat of a rush. Sure the game is flawed, but every game has faults. But none of these flaws ruin the enjoyment of the game – you’ll learn to live with them because you’re having so much fun playing. So if you’re one of those who haven’t played a NFL 2K game (because you didn’t see a reason to support Dreamcast, why I’ll never know), give this game a try with an open mind. You might wind up liking it.

NFL 2K2 is an outstanding football game. However, without an online component, the gap in quality between this game and Madden 2002 is largely subjective. If you're an old Madden fan, you might want to rent this game first just to make sure the different style doesn't turn you off, but otherwise NFL 2K2 is a game that belongs in any serious football gamer's stocking.

With 5 NFL titles to choose from on PS2, NFL2K2 comes a close second behind Madden. With another year, maybe two developing on the system, VC should be able to create a much better looking game, free of the bugs that take away from the gameplay. It’s unique in the gameplay area, maybe the change of pace football fans will embrace. A solid title, more polish couldve put it at top.

Despite a few weak spots on its roster, NFL 2K2 is a whole lotta fun! Madden NFL 2002, out and about since last August, probably caught the lion?s share of football gamers this season. But if you?re ready for a second season, NFL 2K2 is more than worthy. And, as just the first PS2 football game from Sega Sports, you gotta like its chances next season.

Although 2K2 is definitely entertaining, it ends up being the Pacer next to Madden’s Ferrari. It has solid play all around, but the PS2 version just doesn’t have the legs that its Dreamcast counterpart enjoys.