Over the top football action may have been started by the old arcade game High Impact, but it was taken to the next level by Midways NFL Blitz series. Midway took the basic game, removed some players, got rid of extra points and kick offs, and then added big hits, big time passing plays, and fast gameplay. The results were closely contested football games that people just couldnt get enough of. Successful home conversions followed, and the series has never looked back. The first incarnation of the game to make it to the Playstation2 is NFL Blitz 20-02, which retains the tried and true formula while throwing in an additional player, sharper graphics, and an expanded playbook.

When Blitz was first released on the Playstation and Nintendo 64, its blazing speed, combined with large, detailed players was eye-catching. A few years passed, and the graphics stayed the same - until now. A host of improvements have been to made to make Blitz 20-02 look like it belongs with the current crop of gridiron games. The framerate is fast, and doesnt choke no matter the carnage on screen, which is important in a game that relies so heavily on speed. Special effects have been added to the mix, like players igniting in flames when they are on fire, and there are now pyrotechnics after touchdowns.

The giant player models are more detailed than ever, and its now possible to see bulging muscles, and wrinkles in their jerseys. Different sized players are also more evident, as is the difference in physique between a defensive lineman and a running back. Also receiving an upgrade are the player animations, which were motion-captured by the Raiders Charles Woodson. In addition to the moves that youve grown to love, there are tons of tricks you havent seen before, namely the juke move thats great for shaking that lone tackler that stands between the ball carrier and the goalline.

This year, all of the stadiums have received a makeover, and they look better than ever. While not correct in scale, theyve got all the features indigenous to their real-life counterparts, right down to the citys skylines in the background. No longer are you playing on what looks to be green cement, Blitz features some of the best looking grass and turf in a football game. The soft looking grass doesnt seem to cushion the blow of a linebacker belly-flopping onto your quarterback, but it does look quite nice.

The biggest problem with the games graphics is highly noticeable clipping. It may not affect gameplay, but in any replay you can watch players reach right through one another, or two helmets merge into one during a collision. Other than that, the game looks better than ever.

Similar to the NBA Jam announcer, the voice of NFL Blitz has become a mainstay. Perhaps its that his phrases have lost some luster over the years, but he doesnt seem as zany as he once was. A color man has been brought into the booth to add something fresh to the mix, but hes not very interesting in his NHL 2002 imitation.

NFL Blitz has always relied on the sounds of helmets colliding, players screaming in agony, and bodies thumping to the ground to convey the physical nature of the game, and this year is no different. With a subwoofer kicking, your neighbors will think you are hosting an NFL game in your living room. Opposing players will also taunt your team before and after a play, but as always, a well placed powerbomb will shut them up quickly. The games sound does not take as big a step forward as the rest of the game, but it has always been strong, and still remains so.

Heres the Blitz theory of football in a nutshell:

• Get rid of some players, they just get in the way
  
• Kicking is boring, so there will be no extra points or kickoffs
  
• If you dont hit a guy after the whistle, then youre not trying hard enough
  
• Running game? Eh, no
  
• If you cant draw the play up in the dirt, or on your hand, its too complex. Go deep
  
• All games should be decided by three points or less

A pet peeve of many has been the ever-present CPU assistance in NFL Blitz. It will cause the team ahead to throw more interceptions, fumble the ball, or blow coverage to help keep the game tight at the end. Generally, this was a positive thing because there was rarely a blow out, and the games were exciting. However, its very frustrating in the second half to play just as well as you did in the first half yet youre fumbling on every possession. It appears that the level of assistance has been toned down a bit, but its still in the game and it still makes an impact.

The game plays just like it always has, save for the addition of the Impact Player. The impact player can be utilized in any way you see fit during any play. If your opponent is a blitzing fool, have him stay back to help pick up the rush, or if you are behind and need a quick score, send him deep and stretch the secondary, its your choice. The game can still be played and won without using the impact player, but it adds a new bit of strategy for people that have grown a bit tired of the old formula.

Just like in NBA Jam, or whatever its being called these days, there are lots of things to unlock in NFL Blitz 20-02, but they arent very exciting. Big heads, small bodies, all the usual gimmicks are present, with the only one really being interesting is the ability to turn off CPU assistance, so you can finally blow out your friends like you know you can.

For veterans of the series, Blitz is still a blast to play, albeit for a short amount of time. With a game based on such a simple concept its difficult to keep it fresh while keeping the core gameplay intact. Midway has done about as good a job as you can do in this aspect, but you can only log so many days of your life playing a game before it gets old. If youve never experienced the game, and you like high scoring, hard hitting football, you owe it to yourself to check this game out; theres a reason why it has been around so long.