Easy mode is fairly self-explanatory and allows the player to use all sorts of AI assistance when playing the game (including passing assistance, lower amount of penalties and easier controls). Normal mode is very similar to the earlier Madden NFL 2001 and while the easy play options are still available, most of them are turned off by default. In addition to these gameplay modes are the standard play choices, including exhibition, season, tournament, practice and the ever popular Franchise mode (which allows you to act as manager of the team as well as a player). One of the most impressive aspects of the game is the create-a-player mode, which even allows you to create a whole new team from scratch.

The 'create a player' mode is impressively comprehensive, with a wide range of options at your fingertips, begging to be tinkered with; height, weight, waist width, arm and thigh size and over 50 different faces to select from. After specifying the size of the player the game also calculates from these specifications how well the player will perform on the field, adjusting slower speed for larger linemen, better reception ability for taller receivers etc. Add to all this the fact you can even change various pieces of your football equipment and what you have is a customisation previously only seen in the cream-of-the-crop wrestling titles.