John Madden Football '92

[Melf]

It might only be May, but you can already hear the rumblings in the NFL. The new season is coming soon, and what better way to get into the mood than by playing some of the greatest football games of the 16-bit era? Electronic Arts rose to sports prominence on the back of a hall of fame coach, and the '92 edition of John Madden Football added some much-needed features. Unfortunately, it still didn't have the actual players or team names. But hey, a rose is a rose, right? Read our full review and get ready for some pigskin action!

[Nobi]

an interesting note that got edited out(nbd) was that madden 92 was exclusively released on the genesis. ea did release an awful port of the original madden on the snes in 91 and john madden football II on the pc but the pc game was a completely different game, with generic team names and rosters, and was a hell of alot better across the board.

was i wrong? im pretty sure 92 was the only madden to ever be released exclusively on 1 console. which says alot about the awesome sports game legacy of the genesis.

no big deal though im just happy to have contributed something to sega 16

all snes sports games are horrid, maybe thats why retro sports games have such a bad rep these days, everyone remembers playing the inferior ports.

[Jared]

I've been wanting to pick up a Madden game for Genesis. Which one was the best?

[oldmanwinters]

Man, that killer ambulance is something else!

[cowboyscowboys]

The ambulance was legit running over players lol

[Jesse813]

Pretty good for a Sportsgame, but nothing great.

[Nobi]

I've been wanting to pick up a Madden game for Genesis. Which one was the best?

92 and 93 are cool in there own little way, but can get old if you dont have anyone to play against. id pay good money to be able to play either of those games against live opponents online.

94, 95, and 96 are the peak of the franchise in the 16 bit era. with 94 in a slight lead with smoother, better animated, more enjoyable graphics and gameplay.

madden 96 looks amazing. nicely textured graphics with all of the players names and actual numbers on thier jerseys. the gameplay is kinda stiff though. compared to the earlier ones especially. it almost seems as if the actual gameplay is funner in madden 95 out of those 2.

madden 97 and 98 are cram packed with features, and are completely customizable. the gameplay and ai are solid as well, but i prefer the 32 bit saturn/ps 1 versions of those games as they still maintained the 2d sprite based graphics, but are super improved.

[knicksfan89]

92 and 93 are cool in there own little way, but can get old if you dont have anyone to play against. id pay good money to be able to play either of those games against live opponents online.

94, 95, and 96 are the peak of the franchise in the 16 bit era. with 94 in a slight lead with smoother, better animated, more enjoyable graphics and gameplay.

madden 96 looks amazing. nicely textured graphics with all of the players names and actual numbers on thier jerseys. the gameplay is kinda stiff though. compared to the earlier ones especially. it almost seems as if the actual gameplay is funner in madden 95 out of those 2.

madden 97 and 98 are cram packed with features, and are completely customizable. the gameplay and ai are solid as well, but i prefer the 32 bit saturn/ps 1 versions of those games as they still maintained the 2d sprite based graphics, but are super improved.

I say pick up all of them and make your own mind up this madden 92 was a classic sports game with sublime music by the great Michael Bartlow

[Nobi]

agreed, each one is great in different ways. certain ones make up for what others lack.

im not a big fan of the original though, seems like ea did a better job on joe montana football in 90.

[Forgotten Worlds]

Had a lot of fun with those early Madden games. So much cheeseballin' went on in these games between friends.... and who can forget that ambulance LOL.

[vintagegamecrazy]

Shinobi I know you said you didn't have much in the way of writing skills but you did a really good job with that review, it was long detailed and informative but not longwinded so it was a good read.

In a previous post you said you didn't like the first one either, I don't think anyone did either but you should review that one too then we have coverage of the first one on the site for comparison.

[CGQuarterly]

Shinobi I know you said you didn't have much in the way of writing skills but you did a really good job with that review, it was long detailed and informative but not longwinded so it was a good read.

Agreed. Great review.

Did find a typo, though. Second paragraph.

...Sega's very own Sports Talk football and...

The word "football" should be capitalized, as it is part of the title of the game.

Chris

[Nobi]

Agreed. Great review.

Did find a typo, though. Second paragraph.



The word "football" should be capitalized, as it is part of the title of the game.

Chris

Thanks for the correction, I didnt even know that it shouldve been capitalized so its not really a typo. Im not very educated, but am getting better at writing thanks to the site inspiring me to actually read something. so melf surely had his hands full with the editing.



glad that you liked the review btw!

i just played a few snes maddens over the weekend for the first time in a while and man they were as terrible as i remember, especially the first one.

[iluvclassicgaming]

Excellent review!

I still play this game even though I don't have my old Sega Genesis game buddy around anymore but if you choose the right matchup against the computer it can be just as fun - try to win a game as the Jets vs. Broncos!

When Madden '92 first came out I remember being amazed by the fluid graphics and that cool little red star beneath the player that you control.

By the way, check out this little YouTube video of mine (crappy video aside) as the Eagles burn the Cowboys defense:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvMnQIC-OFw

Also, for those who don't know, here's a link to the GameWinners Madden '92 Game Genie code list for the EA Bowl:
http://www.gamewinners.com/GEN/JohnMaddenFootball92.htm

[Nobi]

By the way, check out this little YouTube video of mine (crappy video aside) as the Eagles burn the Cowboys defense:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvMnQIC-OFw

damn!! what a pass!

does anyone know of any differance at all between the regular season and pre season modes in both madden 92 and 93?