Being the big football fan I am, I couldn’t pass the chance at buying the most recent football release for the GameCube (also available on PS2 and Xbox). Although this may seem to be just another football game, it’s quite a bit different from most other football games, as you'll feel if you play it. That’s because it’s an “arcade” football game, not a “simulation” football game. These two types of games are in every sport's video games, and here are the distinctions between the two:

Simulation games make the game as close to the real thing as possible. This makes you feel like you’re
actually playing in the league. You've got instant replays, complex playbooks, franchise ownership modes,
and everything else you could imagine that would be part of the real NFL. The games make you feel like
you're watching them on TV at the same time you are playing them. A football game in this category is Madden NFL 2002.

Arcade games change the entire complexion of the game. They can eliminate referees and penalties, make
quarterbacks have unlimited throwing difference and players have unreal hits and power, and possibly
change the number of players on the field. This is the category NFL Blitz 20-02 falls into (yes, that’s the
way the number is written), with those things mentioned above, late hits allowed after plays, pass interference being totally legal and part of the game, clock stopping after every play, and super-high jumps.

Yet again, I will review on a 0-4 star scale, and please note this is the GameCube version of this game. And although I am a big football fan, don’t think I’m overrating the game. If these scores are high, then that means this game is good, because I don't want to recommend a game that ruins my favorite sport.

Graphics: ***1/2

This is the category this game improves upon its predecessors the most. That is, this is what makes NFL Blitz 20-02 so much better than NFL Blitz 2001 and all the other NFL Blitzes. The graphics are so
crystal-clear and realistic, and you’ll see real players’ faces. Even the fans look better than the normal cardboard format. I can’t complain about the graphics. They may not be the best ever, which stops a
perfect score here.

Sound: **1/2

The music in this game is subpar, not catchy, and typical for a sports game, as sports games are not big
on this category. The nice thing is the announcers' commentary. One of them sounds like a guy who knows
nothing at all about the game, which makes him funny. "If that guy didn't get tackled, he would have got a
lot of yardage." They are better than most other announcers in that they voice opinions, not facts. That's another difference between the arcade and simulation games.

Difficulty: ***1/2

As you may know, a high score in difficulty in one of my Reviews isn't a good thing. In fact, it's most of the time bad, and here it is again. Even on Easy, the computer cheats badly and will always force a turnover if you're going for the game-winning score in the 4th quarter. In fact, the only time I've beat the computer is in overtime on a pass that was tipped twice and finally caught with no time left in OT. I watched a friend try to throw up the game-winning pass only to have it intercepted by the A.I. and returned the whole way with a whole bunch of jukes no live player could pull off. Kicking field goals is easy for a Blitz expert like myself, but if you're a novice, you'll have to be going for it on 4th down, as this takes impeccable timing of the meter.

Controls: *

The controls are frustrating. Why? Because your pass button is opposite of your snap button (to start the
play). That means if a blitz is coming and you want to get rid of the ball quickly, you'll have to switch
buttons quickly and most of the time you'll make a mistake and jump instead, which makes you give up a
sack. I like the pass button being the A button, but that means I've got to change the controller configuration EVERY GAME, because they don't let you save it. I like the new L button-passing that lets you hold down the button and throw to the receiver that has the same button as the one that's on his head. But the controls are also very loose, which means you'll have to be hitting the button very hard to get a response, and that's always annoying.

Special Moves: **1/2

The special moves are stiff-arm, juke, hurdle, and spin. The stiff-arm is nice because you can really take out opponents nearby, and this year it is not as effective as it was in 2001 when it took out EVERY defender on the field, even ones behind the runner (impossible!). That's more real, but the juke isn't. Of course, this is an arcade game, so it's nice to have a little bit of unreality. The other two moves are pretty ineffective, but still you've got some nice extra moves to go along with your normal stuff.

Turbo Meter: 1/2

Unless you use the Infinite Turbo cheat (4-1-5 Up), you'll usually run out of turbo before the snap if you're on defense. That's because you'll want to rush the quarterback to try to get a sack, but your turbo meter runs when you use it to try to run closer to the quarterback. Of course, you may think, "Simple. Just don't use the turbo." But if the other team snaps the ball, you're in trouble, as they will get the pass off way before you can get to the quarterback. Plus, it runs out very fast in this game. The only plus is the Infinite Turbo cheat.

Icon Passing: **1/2

Although I hardly use it, the icon passing makes it possible to not worry about which SIDE the player is
on the field at the time, but which PLAYER. I explained it in "Controls", and it's nice, but I don't like having to hold down the L button. Just scrap the normal passing altogether and use that mode.

Impact Player: ****

Easily the best addition to this game, you can use your C-Stick to cause a certain player (offense or defense, whichever one you're on) to do something special during the play, no matter what play you called. That means you can have an extra blocker, a guy to get the ball off to, a deep threat, an extra blitzer, or a safety in case a pass goes long. This is great, and to pass to him, just press the C-Stick Up. (It may work in any direction, I just never try any other direction.) This idea was awesome!

Tournament Mode: 1/2

What, no double elimination and only 4 or 8 teams? What if you have more or less players and want a loner
tournament? It's nice that they have this mode, but that's about it.

Season Mode: 1/2

Compared with other sports games with season modes, this one is pretty weak. You play the schedule and
then the playoffs if you make it, against very difficult computers even on Easy level. You have no control over the roster of your team either. It's not made very well.

Blitz "Extras": ***1/2

These "Extras" only found in Blitz are the code system and the hidden players that can be unlocked. They
offer you many options, like Infinite Turbo and No First Downs. I wish there was one for Always On Fire
or a couple other new ones, or it would get a perfect score here.

Replayability: ***1/2

Like all sports games, Blitz can be played over and over again with a new experience each time, and the
codes add to that experience. If only there was a play editor, like in Blitz 2000...

Fun Factor!: ***1/2

This is always one of the most fun football games. In fact, it’s one that is perfect for a party. If the controls were easier to learn and the tournament was better, it would be perfect. But that can’t take enough away.

OVERALL: ***1/2

This is a very good choice for anyone who is a casual football fan or one who wants a football game that
doesn’t get into the heavy playbooks and schemes. Even a major football fan will enjoy this, but a true fan
will somewhat miss the real way football is meant to be played, which can be found in a simulation game.
Still, I think that even though Madden 2002 is technically the better game, Blitz 2002 is the better buy of the two, especially to the many of you who know hardly anything about football! Yes, I do recommend it, except to those of you who would actually learn to use some of the tackles seen in this game on me!

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