PS1 MADDEN '99 NFL

Rated the best football game on the PlayStation today. The 3D polygonal players look incredibly detailed and move with smooth realistic motion. New animations, like receivers tracking the ball with their head, really give the players a life of their own.

When the computer is on defense, the way that it covers the play is very natural, and in turn, more realistic. Cornerbacks no longer look like they are simply running preset paths next to your receiver, but instead act as though they are aware of not only the man they are covering but the other receivers as well. This is demonstrated when you perform a pump-fake or a fake handoff, and the defense falls for it. The sound and music of Madden NFL 99 are nearly flawless. Pat Summerall calls the play-by-play action, and John Madden is at his side offering his usual Maddenisms. The sound effects are all pretty good.

The control feels typical of Madden football games, with one exception; the game has a new gameplay feature called one-button mode. This control setup allows for novice players to simply push one button to execute a wide variety of different moves. You push one button to hike the ball or throw the ball, and depending on a defender's distance, that one button will also execute a stiff-arm, hurdle, juke, or spin move. This one-button setup allows inexperienced players to jump in and begin playing immediately. Advanced players need not worry though; the new one-button feature is just an option, and you can still use all of the buttons to do anything you feel is necessary.

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