NFL GameDay 98~Sony PlayStation, Sports~Complete

by Sony

Product Features

• 1 or 2 Players
• Multi Tap Adaptable 1-8 Players
• 6 Round Draft
• Trade, Release, or Create Players
• Stat Tracking

Product Details

• ASIN: B00002STS4
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: 1997
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,293 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

After two years of sprite-based 32-bit football games, many believed it wasn't possible to create a fully 3D PlayStation football game without making tremendous sacrifices in gameplay or aesthetics. NFL GameDay '98 is proof that the PlayStation is capable of accomplishing such feats.

An emphasis was clearly placed on improving GameDay's graphics, and the results are groundbreaking. By using polygonal players, GameDay's development team could take better advantage of motion capture, resulting in a variety of moves that lend a realistic edge to the game. Stiff-arming, horizontal jukes, tight-roping the sidelines, and over-the-top dives are only part of the large repertoire. These fancy 3D graphics aren't perfect, however. The polygonal players look a little too blocky, even though some of their rough spots are hidden well by textures. Luckily, they are animated so well it makes these blemishes easy to overlook. After all, GameDay '98 features the first tackles where players actually wrap their arms around each other to make a tackle.

Audibly, GameDay is above average. The requisite grunts and crunches are plentiful, and there's a nice, satisfying "whap!" when a successful stiff-arm levels a defender. The stadium announcing is good, but not as effective as the two-man Madden/Summerall combo in Madden 98. One funny detail is that there are a few different voices for the quarterbacks. Some sound deep and tough, while barking orders at the line of scrimmage, while some sound utterly wimpy.

One of the best things about the GameDay franchise is that it offers an exciting style of NFL gameplay alternate to (but not necessarily better than) Madden that is very entertaining (it's like preferring Coke or Pepsi to many). The gameplay is very fast, reasonably realistic, and encompasses an incredible variety of different moves. GameDay uses a dizzying amount of combinations of button presses (Street Fighter Football, anyone?) to execute moves such as double spins, ball pitches, and shoulder charges. This is in addition to the total control passing that lets you adjust your receivers' routes during the play. Although you aren't forced to learn these moves, the sheer amount of different controls is staggering (besides, the running game is already a little too easy without using them). GameDay would be better served by shifting attention to improving the game's computer intelligence that, although competent, still allows for too many money plays and unrealistic situations.

GameDay '98 is robust with features, leaving little to be desired. Its season mode includes all the basics; the Pro Bowl game and player selections; the trading, creating, signing, and releasing of players; and an extensive amount of statistics. One interesting feature is that GameDay includes three years worth of schedules. The next two couldn't possibly be correct because the NFL formulates each schedule from the performance of teams the year before. Regardless, it's nice to have three different schedules to play.

NFL GameDay '98 is a great technical feat and a very fun football game. Although it has too many moves and some AI problems, GameDay '98 is easily a substantial improvement over its predecessor. However, when considering the entire package, Madden NFL 98 is a slightly better football game. --Darren Lerhman
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.

Product Description

Designed by ALL-PRO NFL Players. BARRY SANDERS, CHRIS CARTER, RICKY WATTERS, DAN MARINO, JEROME BETTIS. Awesome game!!!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars alot of fun, November 11, 1999

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: NFL GameDay 98~Sony PlayStation, Sports~Complete (CD-ROM)

Lots of plays to choose from. Realistic. Great stats

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gameday 98, January 3, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: NFL GameDay 98~Sony PlayStation, Sports~Complete (CD-ROM)

Really fun because of competativeness and realism. I like the large selection of play patterns that you can run on offence and defence. It keeps you thinking.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent football., May 26, 2002

By 

"charliekkkk" (Boise, Idaho, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NFL GameDay 98~Sony PlayStation, Sports~Complete (CD-ROM)

This is really excellent football. The graphics are a huge improvement, and the gameplay is fast and exciting. I really like the running control, as that is precise and effective. Gameday 98 is a great buy if you are into NFL football or just want a visual showpiece for the Playstation.