Game Review of:
MADDEN 99 
by Dennis Cunefare 

The games 3D effects uses GLIDE drivers for acceleration. However, I used the non-acceleration setup and the game played with surprisingly smoothness. The running was smooth and did not show any choppiness. The sound is so sharp and crisp that you can hear the grunts and groans when players get hit. You can play several types of games (ie exhibition, season, tournament) as well as having a practice option. You can select how long each quarter is from 1 minute to a maximum of 10 minutes. 

A rather interesting feature is the ability to play as one team while using the playbook from another. So you can be the Denver Bronco’s, but use the plays from the Dallas Cowboys. As with the actual game, you have a limited amount of time to make your formation and play selection. As the defender’s, if you fail to make your selection in time, the game uses your last play formation. If you are the offense and you fail to make you play in time, a delay of game penalty is assessed. Specking of penalties, you can set the level of penalties from less to more for each type of penalty. The game plays well using a keyboard, but would probably play better with the gamepad. You can control any highlighted player, but again, using a gamepad would be better than using the keyboard. As for the difficulty of the game, having a thorough knowledge of formations and play routes would make the game easier to play. For novice’s like me, there is a second disk (Madden101) with the basics of formations and the types of play routes available. I recommend using the lessons and the practice game to fine tune your straggly. There are several options for multiplayer games to include Internet, modem to modem, and serial computer to computer play. 

When trying to install the game, I followed the instructions supplied to autorun the setup program and the computer froze up. I had to go to the Run/ browse E:\setup\english\setup to start the program wizard. That was the only problem I had with installation. After installation the game played quite well, with one exception. While selecting options, the program had a nasty habit of selecting a option for you. Luckily, unless you click on that option it doesn’t actually change anything. With one exception, when you select the teams to play and the controller option pops up, the game will select a game controller for you if you don’t select one within about 5 seconds. The problem is, if you don’t have that type of controller, the game will not work because it is looking for a input from that type of controller. The solution is simply to back out of the controller option screen and reselect. Both problems are more of an annoyance than a real problem. 

You can find Madden99 in any computer software store or in the computer section of most retail stores. The going price, right now, seems to be $39.99. The minimum requirements are: Windows 95/98, 166 MMX CPU with 3D accelerator card or 200 MMX without, 16 MB RAM, 8X CD-ROM, 20 MB free hard drive space, DirectX 6 driver (supplied on the CD-ROM), mouse, keyboard. However, the recommended requirements are a little steep. They include a: 300 MMX processor, 63 MB RAM, 16X CD-ROM, 100 free hard disk space, 3Dfx graphics card with VOODOO2 chipset or 2nd generation Direct 3D card, 10-button Direct compatible gamepad. 

Technical Support is available either through the included Windows help file or through the Internet at: http://www.ea.com/techsupp/troubles.htm. You may also use snail mail by writing to: Electronic Arts Technical Support, P.O.Box 9025, Redwood City, CA 94065-9025. Overall, I was pleased with the game and would recommend it to anyone with a fascination with playing football or managing a football team.