Madden NFL 2001

by Playstation

Product Features

• Great game!

Product Details

• ASIN: B00004W4QG
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,393 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Madden series is by far the most popular NFL console-game franchise in North America. It is the game of choice among many active and former NFL players, and has been a mainstay on most gaming platforms for close to a decade. And this year's version for the PlayStation, Madden NFL 2001, is amazing--it's even better than the incredible Nintendo 64 version of the same name.

In terms of playability, EA Sports has added some nice new features. Players are rewarded with collectable in-game Madden Cards by performing certain tasks, which can be used to unlock secret game codes, players, stadiums, and legendary NFL teams. Also, you can trade those cards with friends using the PlayStation memory card. Enhancing the replayability of Madden NFL 2001 is a new two-minute drill feature that allows up to 10 players to compete for the highest score.

The game does have a couple of trouble areas. The CPU play isn't all that synched with the gameplay, resulting in some very strange calls and plays. John Madden's commentary is stocked with only a few phrases, which are used ad nauseam. While not perfect, the sound effects and crowd noises are still preferable to the whiny blips of the N64 version. --Todd Mowatt

Pros:

• Collectable Madden Cards can be used to unlock secret game codes, players, stadiums, and teams
• New two-minute drill feature

Cons:

• CPU sometimes makes very strange calls and plays
• Repetitive Madden phrases

Product Description

The Madden series is by far the most popular NFL console-game franchise in North America. It is the game of choice among many active and former NFL players, and has been a mainstay on most gaming platforms for close to a decade. And this year's version for the PlayStation, <I>Madden NFL 2001</I>, is amazing--it's even better than the incredible Nintendo 64 version of the same name.<p> In terms of playability, EA Sports has added some nice new features. Players are rewarded with collectable in-game Madden Cards by performing certain tasks, which can be used to unlock secret game codes, players, stadiums, and legendary NFL teams. Also, you can trade those cards with friends using the PlayStation memory card. Enhancing the replayability of <I>Madden NFL 2001</I> is a new two-minute drill feature that allows up to 10 players to compete for the highest score.<p> The game does have a couple of trouble areas. The CPU play isn't all that synched with the gameplay, resulting in some very strange calls and plays. John Madden's commentary is stocked with only a few phrases, which are used ad nauseam. While not perfect, the sound effects and crowd noises are still preferable to the whiny blips of the N64 version. <I>--Todd Mowatt</I><p> <B>Pros:</B> <ul> <li>Collectable Madden Cards can be used to unlock secret game codes, players, stadiums, and teams <li>New two-minute drill feature </ul> <B>Cons:</B> <ul> <li>CPU sometimes makes very strange calls and plays <li>Repetitive Madden phrases </ul>

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Playstation's best as far as Football goes, October 8, 2000

By 

Peace Daddy "Eclectic ReflectionZ" (Where the Wind Blows) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Madden NFL 2001 (Video Game)

Madden 2001 can be described, basically, as a cleaner, fresher version of Madden 2000 for Playstation. There have been no real big changes as far as graphics: the game is still amazing considering it's only 32-bit. But there have been several small upgrades--from the variable equipment, armpads, etc. that the players actually wear, to the all-around slightly better look of the player movements and the fields.
As far as the intangibles, there have been many improvements over 2000. The addition of Madden Cards is a definite plus, as is the 2-minute drill. The Hot and Cold feature is very interesting, and adds a more realistic feel. Do you start a cold Marshall Faulk, or a hot Trung Canidate? A cold Drew Bledsoe, or a hot Michael Bishop?
The Franchise mode has seen improvement as well: the salary cap seems to be more realistic now when signing free agents, and the NFL Draft is now 7 rounds instead of just 4. But maybe the best new feature is the addition of the Preseason mode, which allows you to pick your opponents for 4 or 5 games, to sharpen the skills of your rookies and get a feel for your new acquisitions. Then once the preseason ends, young players who performed well will see added points to their attributes. Really helps to develop rookies, and just to try new plays which you aren't accustomed to using.
All that being said, this is still not the perfect football game. There are statistical errors you will encounter at various times, most notably the tracking of kick-off and punt returns during a season. You see, it only tracks 2 players' stats for kick-off returns, and just 1 for punt returns. Thus, if only 1 of your kick returners got the ball during the first week, and at the end of the game the opposing team attempts an onside kick recovered by one of your linemen, the return stats for that lineman will be tracked for the rest of the season. And your second return man is left statless. Same thing with punt returns. If your returner is performing badly and you choose to bench him, his replacement will see zero stat-tracking. Pretty frustrating if that player returns one 80 yards for a touchdown.
Another minus is the commentary, which tends to induce sleepiness. Summerall has no enthusiasm in his voice, and Madden repeats the same stuff when he does choose to say something (he can go a full game on here and only speak 3 or 4 times). You'd think he'd know he made his point when he says "Randy Moss is one of the best receivers in the league today." But then, two plays later when Moss makes another catch, you hear him repeat the same thing yet again.
Still, this is an all-around solid game, which succeeds in most areas. It is much better than Gameday 2001, so if you're looking for a football game for Playstation, this is the one you want.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best football game on the market for PS-X., September 8, 2000

By 

Kwadwo O. Burgee (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Madden NFL 2001 (Video Game)

This is what a sequel should be like. Gameday 2001 cannot touch Madden 2001 in temrs of gameplay, replay value, graphic, sound, and the overall football experience.

This game is awesome. From little things that you notice, such as wrist bands and elbow pads, to the Create-A-Player feature, to the awesome Franchise mode, this game has it all. This game is packed tight with features and other bells and whistles.

The Franchise mode rocks this year, allowing you to pick an existing coach and their coaching style, or create your own. You can also pick your team's uniforms! Play with the Eagles' 1980 uniforms (if you believe that'll make your guys better players, but oh well). The draft is 7 rounds now instead of 4 a year ago. You can also play pre-season games to get your players in shape for the grueling regular season! Not to mention player awards, and you can keep track of Pro-Bowl voting (kinda unnecessary, but a cool feature nonetheless).

The gameplay rules, as the options and front end menus are done so much better than last year. The sound and graphics also rule, making it the most realistic PRO football title on PS-X (I still think that NCAA Football 2001 is the best football title on the PS-X TODAY).

Should you pick this up if you've never played Madden? Definately! It's the best NFL football game on PS-X. If you had Madden 2000, should you pick this up? Without a doubt! This version blows away what the previous Madden had to offer, and will keep you playing for hours on end. It's deep, the options are amazing, and you will see the days fade away as you try to bring the Browns back to their glory days. If you're getting a PS2, you might wanna hold off, unless you gotta have a football game before then.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some Improvement, Some Backsliding, November 1, 2000

By 

Kelly J. Snowden "rationalist" (Redding, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Madden NFL 2001 (Video Game)

I've been playing Madden football since the Sega Genesis days, so let me tell you what's good and what's bad about Madden 2001. The good: the franchise system and the Madden Cards. Playing franchise mode is the best part of the game for me, because I like to create a dynasty. 2001 has added more draft picks and a preseason, which allows you to play your rookies. The problem with the preseason is that I rarely see improvement, and too often I find myself in salary cap trouble due to injuries.

Although it's fun to make trades and try to improve your team's weaknesses, the game makes it a little too easy. I turned the Chargers from a 66 overall to a 95+ in one season, without draft picks or creating any players, simply through trades and free agents. The game should be a bit more stingy when it comes to giving up players. Still, this is one of the more enjoyable aspects of the franchise mode, so I can't complain too much.

The Madden cards allow you to earn tokens for certain plays (like sacking the quarterback or scoring more than 21 points), which you can use to buy Madden cards. There are cards for most of the major talent in the league, which you can activate for a particular game if you need that player to shine. They come in gold, silver and bronze, the difference being in the amount each card boosts the player's attributes. You can also get great players from the past, such as Dan Marino, Rodney Hampton or Jumpy Geathers, who can be added to the free agent pool and included on your team's roster. The cards also feature different stadiums and great teams of the past for exhibition mode.

The problem with the Madden card system is that there are no instructions for creating a user profile or saving the profile. It takes a lot of effort and cursing to figure out how to do it. Once you've got it down, however, it's addictive. Still, why is it so hard? Why can't you save your user profile at the same time that you save your franchise? It doesn't make any sense.

Now, for gameplay: the game plays at least as good as Madden 2K, with additional taunts, etc. Players move smoothly, with nice tackles, jumps, dives and other moves. However, the AI doesn't behave sensibly. For example, the computer WILL NOT RUN THE BALL. EVER. The only time the computer opponent runs is within the 2-minute warning, inside the 5 yard line or on a 3rd and short (sometimes). No matter what team you play, or how good their running back is, have no fear. If the HB gets more than 5 carries it's a miracle.

So, the computer passes constantly. And successfully. No matter how good your secondary is, unless you have a dime-protect defense out there, the computer is going to complete pass after pass. If the computer has decided it's time to score, there is no stopping it. A pathetic team can rack up 300+ passing yards on a team with a good secondary no matter what you do to try to prevent it. In addition, no matter how bad the computer opponent's OL is, or how good your defensive line is, the quarterback will be well protected throughout the game (unless you blitz, in which case the computer will throw pass after pass out to the FB to take advantage of the lack of LB coverage).

The AI will pick up on your favorite moves pretty quickly, particularly running plays, and you may find it virtually impossible to convert a 3rd-and-2 unless you throw the ball. It's amazing how fast the computer's defensive ends are all of a sudden when you're running your halfback outside on a third-and-short play -- you'll find yourself tackled for a five-yard loss. The best way to get around this is to start mixing up your running plays, running between the tackles, up the middle, etc. And throw the ball. Then you can go back to your favorite halfback toss or sweep play.

The juke moves that were introduced in M2K (using the R1 and L1 buttons) are less effective here -- the move has to be made well in front of a tackler, and that just gives the tackler time to adjust. Otherwise, you go down. Although the spin move is more realistic this time around (you can actually keep your forward momentum), it almost never works unless you're in the open field with only one tackler to beat. Same for the stiffarm.

The kicking and punting system has been changed, for the worse in my opinion. I haven't kicked a field goal over 40 yards in probably 50 games due to the awkward display system in 2001.

As for Madden and Summerall, this is where the game really tanks. They say the same things over and over and over. For example, if the computer opponent completes a short pass to a fullback, Summerall will say something like "the quarterback had a nice quick release on that pass" followed by Madden saying "yeah, he really fired that one in there." Two plays later, same exchange. Next play, same thing, ad nauseam. Every punt is "skied"; if Summerall doesn't say "So-and-so really skied that punt," Madden will step in and say "yeah, he really skied it up there." If you get a sack, Summerall will say the player's name who sacked the QB, followed by a pause, then "goes down" or "is sacked for a loss." So it sounds like "Kearse... is sacked for a loss." Huh?

If EA can't figure out how to more effectively cue the color commentary, they should just not bother with it. It detracts from the game play and can drive one to distraction.

Overall, buy the game if you enjoy the franchise mode and don't get easily distracted by the senile Pat and John show. But otherwise, you might want to just wait until you can get your hands on a PS2 and buy the PS2 version of Madden 2001.