The difference that enhanced defensive artificial intelligence makes is staggering. The defensive backs seem much more aware of the situation and are able to keep with their man and make it difficult for the opposing quarterback in comparison with last year's edition. The CPU team now puts up decent rushing figures as well as passing which makes for a far more balanced and realistic experience.

The four difficulty levels should cater quite well for most players and the new mini-camp mode will help tune a whole variety of specific skills in practice and (once you beat the practice mode) real-game situations. The mini-camp mode is actually pretty addictive while it lasts but unfortunately that is not too long.

The visuals in Madden 2003 are simply fantastic. Animations are wonderfully realistic for the most part and physics play an important role in determining the action on-screen, for a change. Defensive players dive to grab the ball-carrier around the ankles and he falls in the appropriate fashion. A powerful head-on tackle will often drive the runner backwards. Receivers will dive for the football if it is thrown short and low on a hook route. Occasionally, chunks of grass will be visible in the helmet of a player who has just hit the turf hard.

Perhaps even more exciting is that the sideline almost looks as awesome as the on-field action -- coaches are portrayed very realistically while they patrol the side-lines, their lips moving and their arms waving in celebration or despair as the team completes a crucial pass or blows a golden opportunity. The referee's lips will move in almost perfect synchronization when he describes a penalty to the two-dimensional (although very well done) stadium crowd. The only real hitch in the graphical department is the interface, which is a little clumsy at times and still heavily resembles what we would see on a console version.