• ID = PS0494
• STYLE = Football (American)
• DEV. = Electronic Arts Tiburon
• PUB. = EA SPORTS
• R-DATE = Aug-12-2002
• ESRB = E / For Everyone
• PLAYERS = 1-2 players
• LIST PRICE = $29.99
  

Madden NFL 2003 comes with a whole host of online features: You can now meet, greet, chat, and play head-to-head against other gamers. You can also download updated player rosters throughout the season. Madden NFL 2003 features all-new play-by-play and analysis by John Madden and Al Michaels and new gameplay mechanics, including a faster game speed, tighter controls, quicker animations, and more finely tuned passing. You can also customize receiver routes, player formations, and your team's entire playbook.

Description 2:
It has to be considered the hands-down most popular sports game of all-time, and the 2003 installment is (you guessed it) the best one yet. All of the real players and teams including the Texans are ready to rumble, and of course the real-world stadiums add to the incredible realism. The most notable additions to this year’s model are Al Michaels (play-by-play), Madden Cards that can be collected and traded, and improved strategy. John Madden is chock full of new advice to lend, and the graphics are astounding. Any questions?

• New online features (requires Network adapter).
• Dynamic play-by-play and analysis by Madden and Michaels.
• Faster game speed, tighter control, quicker animations.
• Customize receiver routes, player formations, and your team's entire playbook.
• Download updated player rosters throughout the season.

Amazon.com Review
EA's Madden NFL 2003 maintains the series' status as one of the most engaging game franchises ever. This perennial favorite has updated everything from the spanking new venues (including the Seattle Seahawks Stadium) to the ability to now list pre-existing injuries to current players. If you haven't played previous versions, learning all the controls can be a daunting task. You can control everything from calling audibles to throwing a touch or bullet pass--all while the play clock runs down. But half the fun of this game is in the level of detail you can control, including off-season drafts and free-agent signings, game time, weather, and sensitivity to penalties.

Madden NFL 2003 has taken video sports gameplay beyond the action on the field--although the gameplay is seamless and the graphics are impressive on the Xbox. They've created a world where you are equally the owner, general manager, coach, and player. The time and attention you must dedicate to creating your team, along with superbly realistic gameplay and sportscasting, immerse you in your team's fate, making the action all the more compelling. --Sung Nicholas Kim

OFFENSE

BEFORE THE SNAP
Square Button + Square, X, Circle, L1, L2 or R1 Button = call an audible
Triangle Button = cancel an audible
Square + L2 Button = run original play
Square + R2 Button = flip play
L3 Button = quiet the crowd
R2 Button = coach's cam with passing routes
L2 Button = coach's cam without passing routes
Circle Button = fake snap
Select Button = call timeout
X Button = snap the ball

RUNNING
D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move player
X Button = sprint
Square Button = dive
Square Button (tap) = slide
Square Button (hold) = dive
Triangle Button or Right Analog Stick Up = jump, hurdle
Circle Button or Right Analog Stick Down + D-Pad or Left Analog Stick Left or Right = juke left or right
L2 or R2 Button + Right Analog Stick Left or Right = stiff arm left or right

PASSING
X Button = bring up passing icons
X, Square, Circle, L1 or R1 Button = pass to receiver
L2 + Triangle Button = throw ball away
Triangle Button = toggle passing icons
L2 Button + X, Square, Circle, L1 or R1 Button = route-based passing
R2 Button = pump fake

RECEIVING
X Button = control intended receiver
Square Button = dive for pass
Circle Butotn = sprint
Triangle Button or Right Analog Stick Up = jump for pass

BLOCKING
X Button = switch to closest blocker or receiver
Square Button = cut block
Circle Button = sprint or engage block

AFTER THE PLAY
X Button = bypass cutscene
Circle Button = spike ball
L1 + R1 Button = instant replay
Square Button = fake spike ball
Triangle Button = no huddle
Select Button = timeout

DEFENSE

BEFORE THE SNAP
X or Circle Button = cycle through defenders
D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = reposition player
L1 Button + D-Pad = defensive line shift
L1 + L2 Button = reset defensive line shift
R1 + D-Pad = linebacker shift
R1 + L2 Button = reset linebacker shift
Square Button + Square, X, Circle, L1, L2 or R1 Button = call an audible
Triangle Button + D-Pad = call a coverage audible
Triangle Button = cancel an audible
Triangle + L2 Button = reset coverage
Traingle + L2 Button = reset original play
Square + R2 Button = flip play
L3 Button = pump up crowd
R2 Button = coach's cam with assignments
L2 Button = coach's cam without assignments
Select Button = call timeout

AFTER THE SNAP
X Button = control player nearest the ball
D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move player
Square Button or Right Analog Stick Down = dive
Circle Button = sprint
Triangle or Right Analog Stick Up = jump
L2 or R2 Button = strip ball, spin move left or right
L1 or R1 Button = swim move left or right

KICKING GAME
D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = direction and elevation of kick
X Button = start kick meter, stop kick meter, delay the kick
Square Button + X, Square, Circle, L1, L2 or R1 Button = call an audible
Triangle Button = cancel an audible
Square + L2 Button = reset play
Square + R2 Button = flip play
Select Button = call timeout