Madden '99
Reviewed by Nate McCarthy
First of all let me just say one thing "WOW!" And wow is right, I am totally
amazed at the difference they have made since last year's edition of John's
Football. This game has a way better presentation and has improved in
every which way. This is a game you find yourself hooked to for months and
months. Especially with cool new features (like the Franchise Mode).
Graphics 8.5 out of 10
The Graphics are rather superb especially w/o having to use the RAM
expansion pak. There of course is the typical football polygon mix up. Where
you find your players running through pilons, or sometimes going through
players (no, not like Jerome Bettis does in real life, like a magician would
do). But that can all be overlooked.
Music and Sound 8 out of 10
The Music is sort of weird, yet not out of place for this great football
game. The sound effects and voices(well I guess you could call 'em grunts)
are a nice touch. The only problem is the QB could try and be a bit louder
or at least not have monotone in his snap. Fake "Huts" would of been cool
but it's not a negative not having them.
Game Challenge 10 out of 10
This game has three levels of difficultly. Pro (Easy), All-Pro (Medium), and
Madden (Hard). This is great for all levels of 64 football players. Pro can
basically allow anyone to learn the game and it's controls while not being
pressured by superb plays or huge blitzes. While All-Pro supplies the fairly
experienced player a real good challenge. Your opponent will mix up his plays,
just like the real coaches and coordinates do, to make you now what
formation and exactly what play will stop that play or bust open that defense.
Madden is an extremely difficult level of play. It is very hard to bust a run
open for 60 yards every 4 plays or so, like you might be able to do in Pro if
you had the right RB. The opponent offense preforms a lot of motions and
cross-overs to mix up your secondary. They go both deep and short while
usually not going one way or the other dominantly each play.
Game Play-Fun 10 out of 10
This is by far the funniest sports game I ever played on a Home Console. It has
a good variety of modes. Ultimately the best being the Franchise Mode in my
mind. It allows you to be the coach of a Franchise (A Real NFL team) for up to
15 years. You are faced with everything a real coach/General Manager would
deal with during his career. Such as Retirements, Resigning players, Signing
free-agents, the NFL Draft, the playoffs, player of the weeks, Pro-Bowl,
Super Bowl, etc...
Rumble Pak 7.8 out of 10
The rumble doesn't make a huge amount of fuss in this game like it does in
some others. It isn't something that would bring a whole new light to this
game. It is basically just there, sort of like a typical human being in the world.
Frustration
I had almost no frustration at all. I would only be upset with the opponents
toughness in the Madden level of difficulty. Other then that there is nothing
frustrating about this game
Replayability 10 out of 10
Like I stated earlier. I could play this game for months upon months. This
game will probably not show it's wear until the next great football game
for the N64 comes out.
Game Value 10 out of 10
You bet your butt it's worth its price. If your any kind of sports or football
fan, this is THE game. I mean there is no other Football game on the 64 to
compare it to. It has everything all the other games need. It has a long
lasting flavor to it. Which totally separates this from most of the N64
sports games that are out as of now.
Overall 9.8 out of 10
Overall this is the best of the best as of date. Everything else (as in sports)
is looking at the gum on the shoes of Madden '99. There are a couple other
good sports games out there (FIFA '99, ISS '99) but no way is there a football
game that is as good as Madden '99 for the N64. Not even a football game on
the PSX is as good as the 64 version of Madden '99.