Madden NFL 97

Once again, the designers at EA Sports try to stay true to their core audience—Genesis sports gamers. And once again, they come through with an immensely enjoyable game with great action and stat-soaked strategy.

Gridirony

While other companies merely reissue their 16-bit games from year to year with only a few roster changes, EA Sports always adds some new features that make each Madden sequel slightly different from its predecessors. By now Madden '97 for the Genesis is so good that it's even more fun and easier to pick up and play than some 32-bit football games.

The options are really complete in this game. Madden '97 features full rosters for all 30 NFL teams (including the renamed Baltimore Ravens) and a full lineup of great teams from the past, like the '84 Niners and the '77 Cowboys. Of course, the lineup wouldn't be complete without an All-Madden team, but you also have full reign over free agents and draft picks to sign or trade away at your discretion.

Turf's Up

The graphics are more realistic than last year's game. Players stiff-arm, deke, and spin just like your favorite NFL players. However, it's a little hard to keep track of the players when the action crowds the screen. Running plays are especially affected because your running back gets lost in the crowd.

The sounds are a mixed tuft of turf. You have the option to turn off the Madden-isms—which you should exercise since they're repetitive and a nuisance. The other sound effects, particularly the bone- breaking sound when a player is injured, fit the game perfectly.

Control is as seamless as ever. Picking a play, throwing, and even dive tackling are easy. Control becomes a minor problem, however, in the running game. The players move too slowly to be effective, especially on sweeps and HB Toss plays.

If you've been licking your chops, waiting to buy a next-gen system so you can play football like a big boy, we have news for you. Madden NFL '97 for the Genesis is not for the peewee leagues. It packs the features, the gameplay, and the fun factor that make it a first-round draft choice for Genesis owners.

Although Madden '97 brings some new features to the SNES field, it's plagued by an easy A.I., a loss of plays, and slightly slower gameplay than last season. While it's still a good game, it's definitely a step down from '96's All-Pro performance.

Madden Miscues

You can choose from more than 50 teams ranging from current teams to the all-time greats. There's a new play-calling interface loaded with more than 400 plays, but Madden-ites will notice the loss of significant plays like the wishbone, run and shoot, and 46 defense. Multiple skill levels have been added, but computer defenders still fall for the same plays all game long.

With all the moves of the NFL at your fingertips, including stiff arms and spins, multi-player competition is a blast. The new iso-cam lets you play as any player on the field, which adds to the two- player fun as you can match up wide receiver versus cornerback and see who's truly the best.

Players appear short and pudgy compared to last year's, and the throwing and kicking animations look awkward. Signs like "Captain Comeback Jr." hanging in the background of stadiums provide nice, detailed touches, though. All the grunts, whistles, and Fox theme music are the same, along with a crowd that chants "Defense!" for their hometown favorites. But Madden's voice is almost nonexistent, which will disappoint his fans.

Memories

Madden '97 fails to live up to the groundbreaking season it had last year. Stick with '96 for the best football action on the SNES.