New reviews
Posted by @ 1:01 PM, EST
Gaming Age posted a review of EA’s Madden NFL 2001:

Game play is pure Madden. If you're a fan of this style, then you know what to expect from even the PS2 version. If one thing stands out for me, it is the A.I., it's terrific! Not only do you get the option of setting the game to rookie, pro, etc, you also have the luxury of setting individual A.I. toughness for certain situations. Is the All Pro level your challenge, but you throw too many interceptions? Simple, just lower the A.I. on the defense interceptions. Very cool! Running on the PS2 isn't as simple as the other Madden games, which was my biggest gripe of the series. Passing is also been toughened up, but not too tough that it's frustrating. Playing this game not only is fun, but also brings on a big challenge without allowing blowouts on either side. I'm very happy with the results of the PS2 A.I. It's almost perfect!

Speaking of cramped, make no mistake, these tracks get crowded at times. NASCAR 2001 renders a 20-car field, which puts it well ahead of most competition (its PlayStation counterpart manages 18, but compare it to NASCAR Heat, which puts up all of eight). As a result, you have to race conservatively, with a soft touch on the pedals and steering. Weaving your way up through the pack is a vital skill to learn, especially if you've shortened the race, and qualifying for each race is a must to get a decent starting position. The game is kind enough to minimize the load times involved with setup, qualifying, and racing, though - to go through all three you'll only need to sit back twice.