Review by: Rob Dwinall

Let me first say that Madden '97 is the best football game on the market pending the release of NFL '97 by Sega (which I heard isn't very impressive). Being the best, however, doesn't mean it's flawless and Madden's got a small share of them. But don't let little details distract you from the fact that is a realistic, enjoyable, arcade-like football. Saturn owners who had their heads down last year when Sony came out with NFL GameDay and EA cancelled Madden '96 can pick them up! Madden '97 was worth the wait! Here's the run down on the various aspects of the game:

GRAPHICS -9.5/10- Great animations. Smooth and fluid. I love the endzone dances (but where's the traditonal ball spike?!?). A few nit-picks are that all players are the same size and all wear #88. FMV good considering the Saturn doesn't have good FMV capibilites.

SOUND -7/10- This is what prevented Madden'97 from being an "outstanding" game and reduced it to only a "great" game. Crowd is silent except when they chant "DEFENSE". Not enough play by play by Pat Summerall. Barely any referee whistles at the end of the plays.

GAMEPLAY -9.5/10- Excellent in practically every catagory. A few nit-picks are that the games are too high-scoring, penalties occur too often against you and not enough to the computer at the end of close games, at speed bursts are ineffective on offense and non-existent on defense and there is no chain measuring on close 1st down calls. But they are only little things that don't effect the overall game much.

OPTIONS -10/10- Everything you could want! Salary cap, create-a-player, trades, everything! Hooray for EA in this catagory!

OVERALL -9/10- Excellent game by EA SPORTS. Room for improvement in next year's version with the things I mentioned above (especially in the sound department). If you are looking for a great football game, rush out and get Madden NFL '97 NOW!