PS1 Game Review: NFL Gameday 98

 NFL Gameday 98 was Sony's game to come into its own system (before they went to 989 Sports with the franchise) but it was also a noted game to play that wasn't Tecmo or Madden.  This was in an era where they competed with Madden and others and they wanted in the market as well.  It was also made by the company that made the PlayStation, so you knew it was going to be promoted in some way overall.  So what was good about this? What was bad about it?

Positives:

1. 3D models- Even if polygonal, yes it was the 1996/97 year so it really was just good.  Given their competition, Gameday 98 really did well to start making players be 3D models rather than 2D.

2. Pretty accurate teams- Denver and GB (who would meet in Super Bowl 32) are good, same with the rest of the teams in the NFC/AFC so it is overall quite alright the accuracy of the teams overall.

3. Stadiums- One of the first games as well along with Madden to be pretty good about the details of the Stadium.  That being Madden 97, although that one is a bit rough.  However Gameday does do well with the details of stadiums and is on line with good 90's stadium art.

4. Sort of a dynasty mode- They do 3 seasons but it starts kind of a basis for the dynasties modes very much in the future.  It doesn't really start until Madden 99 but Gameday did well with the three seasons going forward.

Negatives:

1. Player movements- To say they are very choppy is putting it nicely.  Players go all over the place but don't get tackled or barely get touched and they looked like they got laid out.  Everything here I think Sony wishes they had a do over because it would have looked very, very fluid.  

2. Easy difficulty- Maybe it is just me but even on the hardest difficulty, this game seemed easy.  I could be wrong but maybe they knew they needed to get people in to buy the game so that could also be why as well. 

Overall Rating

I would recommend NFL Gameday 98 for the casual gamer and sports fans.  It's a game that does do a lot well and if you can disregard the wonky and weird player movements you will be okay.  It's a game that should be noted as a good sports game for the PlayStation overall.

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10