NFL 2K3

NFL 2K3 continues to make a strong run for the video game football title.

NFL 2K3 continues to make a strong run for the video game football title. With smart A.I., great controls, and a take-no-prisoners approach to football, it should earn All-Pro status again.

Power and Poise
2K3?s basics are among the strongest in the league. You get all 32 NFL teams (Houston Texans are in this year), and the best-looking stadiums in the business. Of course, graphics and animation have always been a 2K strong point. This season, the game sheds its ?lanky? player models for a more realistic look. The makeover is great, but it may take a little getting used to for long-time fans. Of course, the close-ups for players and coaches remain stunningly realistic.

NFL 2K3 also sports awesome player animations. You ought to really get your money?s worth with the replay cam here. You see action all over the field, and the amazing thing is that no two animations seem to repeat themselves.

As far as the three main game systems go, the Xbox graphics?as usual?look the sharpest. However, the PS2 and the GameCube are really not far behind. The sounds for all three systems also remain loud and clear. The game sports an ESPN license this year, but the mythical Dan Stevens and Peter O?Keefe return for booth duty, and they?re better than ever at making calls that mirror gameplay and reflect gamer-specific strategies.

In the What?s New Department, online gameplay is available for both the PS2 and Xbox (via Xbox Live) versions. So far, the peer-to-peer gameplay is pretty much transparent. Xbox Live additionally supports voice communication for serious trash talkers, and at some point Sega hopes to make downloadable roster updates available on Live.

2K3 is also making a push in the Franchise mode wars. The first-person perspective interface is very cool, making you feel like you?re really at the desk making deals or on the clock during draft day.

Heads-Up Football
Where NFL 2K3 really cleans up is on the field. This is a real gamer?s game with an intuitive, joystick-plus-cursor playcalling system that?s a breeze to learn. The technique actually works well with all three joystick layouts; however, with the Xbox you really want to play with the hand-friendly Controller S.

NFL 2K3 continues to demonstrate quick, cut-on-a-dime football gameplay. Matched with great team-specific playbooks (Sega claims 250 plays per team), you?re in for some major helmet-bashing. The game is a little more tuned toward hardcore players since there are few playcalling aids once your squad lines up a scrimmage, unlike Madden NFL 2003 which displays play ?overlays? to help you remember what to do.

In fact, 2K3?s keen A.I. takes strategy to another level. You can create your own mismatches by positioning players against opponents according to their real-life strengths and weaknesses.

Playoff Caliber
NFL 2K3 is a straight-ahead, hard-as-knuckles football game. Some players might prefer Madden?s interface because it tends to be friendlier to average players and rookies. NFL 2K3 is definitely less forgiving if you don?t concentrate and come ready to play. For most hardcore football gamers, that ain?t bad at all.

This review's scores and screenshots only represent the GameCube version of the game. Check the review section of the other consoles to find the scores for other versions

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