NFL Fever 2002

by Microsoft

Product Features

• This item is BRAND NEW and factory fresh (sealed if applicable). This item is NOT returned or refurbished. May have store or price stickers affixed.

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00005NZ1M
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 8, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (141 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,726 in Video Games (See Bestsellers in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

When Microsoft released NFL Fever 2000 on the PC in 1999, it gave Madden a serious run for its money. It's been a few years, but Fever and Madden are once again going head-to-head on the Xbox, and once again Fever proves itself a serious threat to EA's perennial football powerhouse. That's not to say that NFL Fever 2002 is a perfect game, because it isn't, but it does offer great graphics, decent AI, and plenty of bone-crunching gameplay.

NFL Fever 2002 features several gameplay modes, including practice, single game, and season, which itself contains a couple of different options, including dynasty and fantasy challenge. Fever 2002 has a full NFL license and includes all 31 current NFL teams--and 15 fantasy teams--along with all the current stadiums. Dynasty mode is where most players will find themselves, as this mode lets you manage all aspects of your team, including signing and cutting players, negotiating trades, and making sure that your team comes in under the salary cap.

A great feature in dynasty mode is Dynamic Player Performance, which adjusts players' ratings (which determine how well they play) based on past game performances. So if you have a second-string running back who rattles off three or four great games in a row, his rating will increase, which should keep him performing at that high level. On the flip side, if a player has several poor games, his rating will decrease.

Because it was designed specifically for the Xbox (unlike Madden NFL 2002, which was ported to the Xbox from the PlayStation2 version), NFL Fever 2002 looks awesome. Player animations are highly detailed, the stadiums look fantastic, and the weather effects are topnotch. Beyond the obvious features, though, there are many subtle details that really add to the experience: the field will get torn up in wet weather, player uniforms will get stained with dirt, and the crowd will begin to thin out if the game is a blowout.

In terms of gameplay, Fever 2002 delivers a solid experience. The AI is pretty solid, especially on the defensive side, and if you call a perfect game it's possible to get a shutout against the computer, even on the higher difficulty settings. On the downside, the computer rarely runs the ball, even when it has a high-powered running back like Corey Dillon, and AI play calling is rather suspect at times.

Those complaints aside, Fever 2002 is a lot of fun. It offers great graphics, multiplayer is a blast, and the dynasty mode features a good deal of depth. If you only want one football game, NFL Fever 2002 deserves your consideration.--William Harms

Pros:

• Dynamic Player Performance
• Great graphics
• Solid defensive AI

Cons:

• Computer rarely runs the ball
• Gameplay a little arcadelike at times

Product Description

When Microsoft released <I>NFL Fever 2000</I> on the PC in 1999, it gave <I>Madden</I> a serious run for its money. It's been a few years, but <I>Fever</I> and <I>Madden</I> are once again going head-to-head on the Xbox, and once again <I>Fever</I> proves itself a serious threat to EA's perennial football powerhouse. That's not to say that <I>NFL Fever 2002</I> is a perfect game, because it isn't, but it does offer great graphics, decent AI, and plenty of bone-crunching gameplay. <p> <I>NFL Fever 2002</I> features several gameplay modes, including practice, single game, and season, which itself contains a couple of different options, including dynasty and fantasy challenge. <I>Fever 2002</I> has a full NFL license and includes all 31 current NFL teams--and 15 fantasy teams--along with all the current stadiums. Dynasty mode is where most players will find themselves, as this mode lets you manage all aspects of your team, including signing and cutting players, negotiating trades, and making sure that your team comes in under the salary cap. <p> A great feature in dynasty mode is Dynamic Player Performance, which adjusts players' ratings (which determine how well they play) based on past game performances. So if you have a second-string running back who rattles off three or four great games in a row, his rating will increase, which should keep him performing at that high level. On the flip side, if a player has several poor games, his rating will decrease. <p> Because it was designed specifically for the Xbox (unlike <I>Madden NFL 2002</I>, which was ported to the Xbox from the PlayStation2 version), <I>NFL Fever 2002</I> looks awesome. Player animations are highly detailed, the stadiums look fantastic, and the weather effects are topnotch. Beyond the obvious features, though, there a

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A real rush... once you get used to it, November 17, 2001

By	punkviper (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Everyone wants to know "How does NFL Fever 2002 compare to Madden 2002?" The answer is that Fever compares favorably, but is ultimately a different sort of football game. If you always thought Madden was "too arcadey" then you might want to steer clear of this one, as it plants itself somewhere between the simulation efforts of Madden and Sega's NFL 2K2, and the kamikaze kinetics of the NFL Blitz series. Fever is actually a very compelling and fun game once you get over the fact that you aren't playing Madden.

Fever easily pulls off the best graphics ever in a console football game. From the integration of many different intro shots for each play, to the exacting detail which accompanies every hit, jump, and stiff-arm, it is fantastically clear that the developers went the extra mile to really draw you in to the game and create an exciting & colorful world. The players jabber at one another, celebrate successful offensive achievements, and showboat after a steller defensive effort. It really does make Madden look fairly pale and colorless as a result.

The commentary suffers from some uneven choppiness ("FIVE... yard... reception by... ENGRAM!") but does give some timely insight in certain situations ("The defense is in a 3-4, a run would be successful here.") The much-touted graphics are indeed a step-up from Madden, but are not letter-perfect. The detailed faces are a very nice addition, but disappoint when Jerome Bettis looks nothing like Jerome Bettis. He's detailed, but looks nothing like the real guy. But it sure beats Madden's cheesy Kewpie-Doll faces.

The bottom-line really comes down to gameplay, and Fever tends toward "the big play." Interceptions are more common than in Madden, big runs, big returns, long gains, freight-train tackles, all of it brings make Fever seem a little over-the-top, and really makes Madden seem slow & pensive in comparison. Which is why some won't take to this more reactive arcade style of gameplay. Traditional football playcalling & tactics still apply, but the realism factor is purposefully loosened to create a more no-holds-barred atmosphere designed to ramp up the fun-factor.

Honestly, it took me a few times before I was ready to accept this type of football (not to mention getting used to the XBox controller) but once I did, I really started to appreciate the flair and style that Fever brings. I guess the telling thing is that I tried to go back to Madden and really had to mentally shift gears to prepare for a different sort of football experience. NFL Fever 2002 is fun, easy to pick up and play, easy to like, great 2-player fun, and a lot deeper than your average console football game. And they did an admirable job of injecting some life into a stale genre by pushing the fun-factor way up while still retaining the confines of real football.

If too many years of Madden is gradually putting you to sleep, get into the Fever and see how much fun a football game can be.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Madden Lost the football war this Year, November 7, 2001

By	jake (chicago) - See all my reviews

I first thought of NFL fever as a blow off game like gameday for PSx. but this game is BETTER than madden, at least this yr. 2003 may be another story. i played it at babbages and the controls are basically the same, and Fever is completely new and does show off the power of Xbox.
Ive been playing Madden since it first came out for Genesis, and im surprised to say Fever is better.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SO CLOSE FROM BECOMING THE BEST FOOTBALL GAME EVER, December 11, 2001

By	KEVIN (Florida) - See all my reviews

I am one of those diehard Madden fans (aka stat-freaks) and the only reason I get video game consoles such as the Genesis, Psone, DreamCast, Ps2,and now the X-Box is for the Basketball and Football. For all except the Dreamcast, its been all about EA sports. When I finally got my hands on NFL Fever (which was the whole purpose of me getting an x box) I was drooling. I turned it on and I was just blown away by the graphics.....It was unreal....actually it was soooo real! I have the "PIP screen"(picture-in-screen) on my TV, and I put NFL FEVER in the pip screen while I watched my Bucs beat up on the Lions this Sunday, and I must tell you....it actually looked as if I was watching 2 real games. The speed of the game was as close to the real football players as I have ever seen. I started playing and I was not disappointed...well, actually I was..... If only the developers would have included a more variety of tackle animations (I have only seen 4), and include all the penalties ( I have only seen 4)--if they didn't want to include all the penalties they could have provided the option to turn specific ones off ala madden---...also if they could have made the computer AI a little better (realistic) this COULD have been the best game ever.....and that's saying alot comming from a die hard madden fan....BUT THE GAME IS FUN ...