User Rating: 8.9 | NFL Street GC
A good beginning to what will no doubt be an awesome franchies for EA. Ever since EA Sports Big started up when SSX came out alongside the PS2, I have been excited for every Big game. This one was no exception. This game is an arcade Madden. There are no kickoffs or field goals. The games are played in different locations across the country, not in stadiums. First downs are marked by landmarks. There are no penalties or challenges. The gameplay is superb I think. Playing on offense is a real joy and awesome fun. You'll be shedding tacklers, hurdling defenders, and juking out the D in no time at all. They have the great style of video tutorials that Madden had, which I love. Passing is done with icon passing. You have 3 receivers on 3 buttons on your controller. Running is probably more fun than passing. Also, there are many trick plays that are easily executed and are fun to do and trick the defense. Now, on to playing defense. This is where the gameplay faulters. It is really hard to stop the computer AI sometimes. Sometimes you can blow the computer out 36 to nothing and other times you'll lose 36 to 35. It's really inconsistent. Also, it is really hard to tackle. Guys just don't go down. The computer will often times break a few of your tackles and take one running play the length of the field for a TD, which gets really frustrating. Another disappointing factor in the defensive gameplay is that there are no late hits. That's one thing that Blitz was great for, well until they went quote, unquote, Pro. The style system is okay but not without its flaws. The computer often times will stand and taunt at the goalline until you get there to tackle them, which is quite annoying. Also, the AI seems to be unsuceptible to the gameplay's flaws. They don't usually get their tackles broken and for some reason they don't slow down while taunting like you will. The Gamebreakers are great. They really can bring a game to a close faster for you or give you some momentum for a comeback. I find them more useful on defense, but on offense it helps too. A really good thing is that it lasts a whole drive, so even a first down won't put out your gamebreaker. You are almost guaranteed to get the ball with your defensive gamebreaker or get a touchdown with your offensive gamebreaker. The game's graphics are great. EA Big has recreated a lot of the NFL players' faces and they are really recognizable. The character models aren't perfect but they are good. The stages you play in are pretty nice looking with some nice details and extra obstacles like garbage cans and beach balls. The sound is pretty good. I like the music in this game better than any other game I've ever played. Unfortunately the music is only played in the menus. In the game all you have is the sound of the vicious hits, which is quite enjoyable in itself, and tons of comments back and forth to and from the team members, which I love the comments, they're halarious. There are no announcers and no music or crowd noise. The overall value of this game is perfect. The one player, NFL challenge mode is awesome and multiplayer play is really fun. You can also play the NFL challenge mode 2 player cooperatively. There is also the awesome addition of online play for the Playstation 2 version. You can even take your awesome created team from the NFL challenge mode online. Tons of lasting replay value. I would say that this game will be in my library for a long time to come. Probably right until the next NFL Street comes out. So, I say if you want some great arcade football give this game a shot. You won't be dissappointed if you've read this review. You'll probably be shocked at how much better it is than I've said. So get it! 
