Madden NFL 2001 - Review (PS2)

[@JoshHarber-t3y]

I was 15 and pre-ordered a PS2 and Madden for the launch. Didn't think I'd get one of the original 500k and thought I'd have to wait. Came home from school one day and it was delivered from Funcoland. Had to open it up and try it. My mom let me play Madden 01 for the night and it was awesome

[@reliablethreat23]

Madden 2002-2008 (PS2 era) were the absolute golden years of football video gaming! We also had the NCAA Football games that were just as good if not better than Madden! Good times! I STILL play my retro football games to this day!

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Agreed those were the best Madden games. And NCAA games were killing it. I still play a lot of retro sports games. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

Without question. Madden games were decent on the Xbox 360 but never as good as they were the prior Gen. They sort of butchered it going into Madden 2007 or 08 on next gen and had to start from scratch. And of course it was completely destroyed forever basically with the jump up to Xbox One and PS4. Introduced connected franchise mode and of course Madden ultimate team and it's been trash ever since

[@PhillyCYOSports]

You forgot 2001

[@davidstring8301]

This was my first and only PS2 game in 2002. I spent all of my money on a PS2 (I wanted a cheaper GC but my dad made me get the PS2 because it could play DVDs and my PS1 games). I played this game for hours and hours. It taught me all of the complicated rules of football when I was a kid.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Pretty great pick for your first PS2 game. Hard to beat a DVD player and backwards compatibility. Thanks for watching!

[@davidplumb9549]

my first game when I got my PS2 was also Madden NFL 2001 on my 16th birthday on June 29, 2022

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Sounds like a damn good birthday my friend

[@TylerLangford-ys1vo]

Madden 2000 on ps1 definitely had my favorite intro into any game.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

I'll have to Google that one. I only played 2000 on the N64 which didn't have an intro

[@tylerlangford740]

Man once you look it up you’ll start watching it every day to get juiced

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

2001 also has a pretty bad ass intro as well. So does 2008. Really good one there

[@dclayton734]

Madden 06 is my favorite old school, Madden game.

[@rjkyng410]

I got maddens to 2004-2024 for ps2 Xbox 360 ps3 ps4 and ps5 madden 2024 is trash I play og madden more than the new generation of madden

[@dclayton734]

@rjkyng410 old school Madden games have more things to do. I noticed Madden were going in the wrong direction in 06 after I played Madden 06 on Xbox 360. The game felt so empty.

[@rjkyng410]

@@dclayton734 madden 06 on ps2 and original xbox is better than the 360 version the 360 version of 06 is bad I got 06 on ps2

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

I do like the passing mechanics in 06. Definitely made the game a little more challenging.

[@jstopdog7]

Only because T.O was in Philly

[@GameCubeGalaxy]

Man, talk about a throwback. I actually never played Madden 2001 on the PS2, but rather the N64 cause that’s what my neighbor got it for. It wasn’t until Madden 2002 that I experienced Madden on the PS2/GC. But yeah, this was DEFINITELY at a time where Madden games were great, and all in part because of healthy competition in the market. Great review man!

[@jasonr.6428]

I f’ing flipped my lid as a kid seeing this game for the first time! Always hold a special place in my heart… nostalgia! Great vid! Subbed!

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Thanks for the sub and watch. Yea man this game blew my mind back then and still to this today as you mentioned it has a special place in my heart

[@christhornton8219]

This game blew me away. I tell my sons this- there has not been a bigger graphical leap from one console to another like the leap between Madden 2001 on the PS1 and Madden 2001 on the PS2! Graphics have improved from console to console, but this was mind blowing! I don't know if Madden 2001 did this but Madden 2002 and NCAA 2002 both wished you Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas! Little touches like that are why I miss these games.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

It was a huge graphical leap and I'm not sure if we will ever see one like it again. It was game changing and I really believed it shaped the direction of sports games in general. Yea the little holiday messages were always fun. Not sure if they do that anymore. Probably not as lazy as all of the newer Madden games have become.

[@JosephSwall90]

I will never understand why people think 05 is better then 07.... but with they being said 05 is great

[@hitek9too255]

Me niether. You couldn't even run 05 or break tackles on 05. Powerbacks were pretty much worthless.

[@TigerChainsawVideoGames]

I appreciate all the Patriot gameplay. What a blast to the past to see Drew Bledsoe throw it up to Vincent Brisby. Those are also my all-time favorite Patriot uniforms. I agree with the time capsule. It's fun to see the rosters that I remember as a kid. As you know, I spent a lot of Friday nights with my dad going out and shopping. I have a specific memory of going to a store where they had Madden 2001 on a PS2 Kiosk. I played it for 45 minutes being mesmerized by the graphics. It may have been my first PS2 experience and I remember thinking that the graphics were never going to get better than that. It was such an upgrade from the PS1. Great video and review!

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

I really apologize I thought I responded to this. Of course I had to show that's pats gameplay. The kiosk story is awesome and having this be your first PS2 experience is awesome. Glad this memory comes up for. Again sorry I didn't respond sooner

[@thomastripp9002]

Nice review!!! Madden on the PS2 is GOAT’d (although I played more OG XBOX during that era). I have all the Madden (and NCAA Football) games for both systems and I still enjoy playing them whenever I can!! These rosters bring back memories

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

They have held up extreme well and are still fun to play. Thanks for watching!

[@emobassist]

Omg i do remember having to press X to bring up the pass icons unlocked memories 😂😂

[@Lily_the_puggle]

I remember this was my first madden i ever bought. Got it from a take 2 video store. Played this game non stop.

[@rose4mvp2012]

I remember this game man. I never even really liked football tbh but I always loved playing Madden for some reason. Then somewhere around Madden 13 that fun was just gone. I actually think it started with 13, that game just felt soulless.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

I believe your right about Madden 13. 12 I still play and it's the last good Madden in my opinion. Not great but decent.

[@jonjone661]

Idk how I got into watching these throwback gaming videos but I enjoy them greatly. Might be bc I played some of these haha

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

There are a few channels like Miles Dawkins I believe his name is who runs non-stop seasons with old school sports games and does a great job with commentary and building teams. I highly recommend checking some of those out as I really enjoy watching the old sports game videos as well

[@Fentoris]

Loved playing as my Steelers in 01 great review

[@BGizzle8098]

Those genesis Maddens were great. Don't know about those slow choppy snes ones.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

The snes ones honestly were terrible

[@joeball13]

You get a sub into like just for the fact you have most deaf and DJ premier in the background music to start the video. One of my favorite maddens that brings back so many memories from my early high school years. I can't wait to check it out. There were many better ones down the road such as 2004 and 2005 but I logged a lot of hours on this game, we moved cross-country from New Hampshire to California in the middle of my sophomore year and I had just gotten a PlayStation 2 for my birthday that November in Madden 2001 was the first game I own, then Madden 02. I would sit in my room with notebook and a pencil writing down each of my positions ratings so when it came time for free agency or the draft I could make sure I was upgrading at each position while my franchise mode was in full bloom. Goodness I miss the simpler times. Lol

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Dude this comment is awesome. So glad you caught the background music lol that was the whole point. I love hearing the personal stories individuals have tied to these games as I can understand and cherish how important and significant these games were in my childhood and early teenage years. I agree better games followed but 01 and 02 keep it very simple and easy to play through multiple seasons without too much added on to it. Agreed much simpler times they were. Thank you for watching but thank you for the comment I really liked reading your memories of the game. Thank you

[@projectfanboy]

I remember this being on attract mode in my local Dixons back in the day and owning a PS1 at the time the jump in graphics was amazing.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

The graphical leap was tremendous. I think it may have been the biggest leap in all the console generations. What a time to be alive

[@quann06]

I'm uploading gameplay for this game now, haha. It's good to see someone post a recent review. Madden 2002 was better with John and Pat, as there was a lot more talking. It's unfortunate that it was cut short as John and Pat went their separate ways.

[@gth804f]

Great video - content-wise and length-wise. I notice you used the Madden NFL 2002 menu music for your background, that is my favorite. I liked the tracks that started with 2003, but the in-house tracks for Madden NFL 2002 made it unique. I do want to bring up a couple points regarding quibbles with the game. The passing system can be adjusted. In Settings, you can change it from "Normal" to "quick", and you don't have to hit "X" on the PS2 to bring up the passing icons; they appear when you snap the ball. Makes a big difference when you get a high snap in the shotgun and the defense happens to be blitzing. Another quibble I have is, in Franchise mode, you can't change your players' jersey numbers (this was an oversight in Madden NFL 2002 also). Not a game-breaker, but it annoys me when I draft or sign a player with a unique number that was legal in the NFL at the time and he gets stuck with something like 88 as a WR or TE or 47 as a CB.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

The fact that you know I was using the Madden 2002 menu music is epic! I was hoping someone would pick that up. Thats awesome. I was unaware of the passing controls you could change. Yea if you didn't know to change that it can be jarring at first when going back to it.

[@Mack_Worlds_Media]

5:25 That cut back was AMAZING 😤

[@FishHead84]

Madden 01 was the first madden i ever played. Good good times

[@doolittle_]

Subbed because Madden 2005 RULES

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Thanks! And indeed it does rule, love everything about it

[@TheWhitestKidUKno1]

This was my first madden. So I got spoiled smh

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

We had it good back then

[@SPEliteTV]

I'm a Dreamcast 2k rabbit fan and I fell in love with Madden 01

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

2k was such a a beast on the dreamcast but it couldn't compete with Madden 01 and 02. 2k3-2k5 though I think we're way better than the Madden games

[@nategreatgames78]

Also had one of the best intros in a Madden game period

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

The only one better in my opinion is Madden 08....Thats the GOAT

[@joeball13]

Yo look at chris Slade on the Patriots! Classic. I like to play these early 2000s Madden games or football games in general so that I can use my favorite receivers in running backs from those days. You know Marshall Falk tears the roof off this game lol. Guys like Dante culpepper would sling it and someone like priest homes can run for four touchdowns. Lol some of my favorite players at such an influential time in my life. Love it. This was the first game that made me think 2K1 on the Dreamcast had some competition.

[@rubski-ds9yc]

My favorite was for ps2 was madden 2002 .

[@CentralFloridaHipHop]

I swear I remember the graphics looking so much better back then Lol

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

They did lol 🤣 but hey they still look decent, nothing crazy but the gameplay is still better than anything out today

[@thagrifster594]

2k was my favorite back then.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

2K was really making excellent games

[@father7713]

My first Madden game. I had it on the 64. Good times.

[@PhillyCYOSports]

60 fps, authentic football gameplay

[@Jaredcellucci25]

Can we go back to Madden 01 02 03 04 05

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

We had it so good back then

[@Jaredcellucci25]

@LameDadRetroGamer fr if that put time and effort Into madden now it would be sweet with the money they made over the years u think they would put effort into it nope just boring gameplay

[@jamescirell7646]

I absolutely hate playing in the super bowl without the zones painted in my team colors...for the 49ers...2001 is the only endzone where they got the endzones red

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

I believe I think this was only the third generation with the franchise mode. Such a huge revolutionary advancement and now it's been completely neglected.

[@gamedotfilm3929]

Playing with friends on a new PS2 those were good times. Cresting a player was fun too, putting all the accessories on w diff colors, black visor etc. Couldn't you run over the chain crew, like you kick the ball off, run w your defender on the sideline and knock them over?

[@VideoGameXDomain]

Yeah back in the good days

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

What a time it was to be alive

[@Dakarus]

take a shot every time this dude says "of all time"

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Cheers

[@LafayetteAzevedo]

When this came out it was anazing

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

It was game changing

[@TylerLangford-ys1vo]

I think with college football coming back, Madden will put in a little effort. Games in general have just declined. Just my thoughts, but I think it all started going down hill when, in game, purchases started making these companies juggernauts.

[@ChiefGore429]

Spoiler alert. It falls off hard around 08

[@ERMACMK91]

Pat & jhon

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Absolute gold

[@thegamingchef3304]

I am a Titans fan myself. Subscribed, TitanUp!!

[@PatriotfantalkV]

Madden 02 was my favorite!

[@DanofWar101]

Nice review! I've barely ever played a Madden game let alone a football game in general... the last one I remember playing a bit was 2K1 on the Dreamcast. It's just a sport that is not that popular in the great white north lol! So for an uneducated guy like me who've barely played any football game, which one would you recommend me that would be easy to control but have decent graphics? Great video and keep up the good work!

[@emobassist]

I too am guity of buying madden every year😢😢

[@victorhardin2186]

Do yourself a favor and go and buy a ps2 and play old maddens and screw new maddens that just want your money

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Amen! Preach it!

[@PhillyCYOSports]

Remarkable game

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Amazing for the time

[@GenerationPixel]

I saw the Dolphins being scored against, I do not approve 😂

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

In the next one I do, I'll make the dolphins win the super bowl.

[@Magneto4191]

This was the last time madden was good lol

[@mikehunt9884]

they split the market like a cartel, instead of competing with each other.. its seriously pathetic, thats not how business works. Now you have subpar products all around, and greedy devs.

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Agreed today's product is completely mediocre at best. We need more competition in the sports genre. Thanks for watching

[@dramatyst5661]

Its all mathematics!!

[@Martinruizthemerchant]

I stooped buy them the last version i bought was in 2021 I refuse to buy their crp games

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

I sadly purchased 24 and then returned it the next day. I have been tempted to buy 25 but a few people on here told me to save my money. So my next Madden game won't be purchased until whenever the PS6 comes out and then who knows it will still probably be the same madden that we have seen the last few years.

[@becomeanolive1637]

Too many one handed catches... playing pass defence was unresponsive and almost impossible, gameplay is slow and overall just not that playable... this game was over-rated because of the graphics... thankfully Madden 2002, 2003 fixed those issues

[@geraldgeraldson7640]

My older brother used to force me to play him in Madden 2001 as kids lol good times

[@LameDadRetroGamer]

Lol sounds like your older brother was a pretty cool guy lol