Reindeer Games
The gift of joystick jollies
By Mark Fagan, Fri., Dec. 13, 2002
Madden NFL 2003
EA Sports ($49.99)PlayStation2
He's back, this time with Al Michaels and Melissa Stark in tow. Pigskin ballers have grown to drool over the latest Madden game in the same fashion as Mr. Madden salivates over his Thanksgiving spread. This game offers a delicious main course with an assortment of tasty sides that will satisfy even the pickiest of video-game football fans. This year's installment offers new features such as online play, minicamp mode, create-a-playbook, and the inclusion of the league's newest team, the Houston Texans. (Unfortunately for Texans fans, the team represented here is even less likely to win than the one taking the field down at Reliant Stadium.) Highlights include the excellent and mandatory franchise mode, a workable running game, amazing graphics, and all of your favorite players, including hometown hero Drew Brees. Madden 2003 will leave you as satisfied as the big man feels after gorging himself on his Turkey Day feast, but with a little room left for dessert.
