Madden NFL 2001 (2000)

Developer: EA Orlando
Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: Nintendo 64, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation
Genres: Sport
Rating: 4.0 of 5, 9 player ratings

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like this

How it feels

A methodical football simulation that rewards careful strategy and tinkering, letting you shape every detail from player stats to stadium conditions as you build toward gridiron dominance.

competitivestrategiccustomizableaccessiblemethodicalrewardingsimulation

About

Madden NFL 2001 includes several customizable modes. Players have the ability to create a play, create a player, run a franchise, and collect Madden Cards, allowing players to perform certain actions during gameplay (for example, adding 5th downs, or limiting the CPU-controlled team to 3rd downs). The cards can also alter individual player ratings, unlock special stadiums, and unlock Hall of Fame and All-Madden teams.

What players say

A football sim notable for its leap in presentation and weighty, momentum-driven tackle animations that felt impressively realistic for the era. Offense shines while sticky controls make defense a chore, but it's fondly remembered as a strong 32-bit football game.

More games like this

More by Electronic Arts

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.