NFL Gameday was a huge addition to the PlayStation library back in the late 90's as it competed with NFL Blitz and Madden to be a major force among the NFL gaming landscape. Sony produced NFL Gameday and then NFL Gameday 98 before giving way to 989 Sports to make NFL Gameday 99 and then the series went under that from there onward. The sort of arcade theme gave way to more of a simulation feel football game, and with that came big advantages and more clear disadvantages. What were those? How does this game compare to NFL Gameday 98? Maybe more importantly, how does it compare to Madden NFL 99? All that and more below.
Positives:
1. Feels more simulation football- This is a good thing because it was clear they were stepping away from the last two games and more into a simulation method here. The player models are more realistic, the feel of the game feels and looks more simulation, and something like the wide receiver routes, or speed is noted that they don't break into full speed right away. That goes with the running game as well. That can also be evident on defense as well. So they started going in the right direction with simulation here.
2. Good stadium looks- This is where they kept the transition well. Most of the stadiums looked the part of what they were in 1998. Yes the seating looks weird, but it's better than Madden in a lot of ways (Madden still had Houlihan's Stadium but changed the namesake to Raymond James just because for example) so it is a step in the right direction.
3. Realistic Rosters- These were set up essentially like what 1998 would be for the most part. You can pick up players if needed but the rosters were set to what they would be in 1998 which is a plus. Remember, this was before roster updates were able to be had on a moments notice.
Negatives:
1. Realism- Yeah the team realism here is a joke. San Francisco was in the Divisional playoffs in 1998, but were terrible in this game. Dallas struggled most of the year in 1998 but we played them in the divisional round. San Diego was rough in 1998 yet made the Super Bowl with Ryan Leaf in this playthrough. I am not sure how the rating system could have been more far off here but it was.
2. The Crowd- For some reason they pump in the crowd the ENTIRE game. I have absolutely no idea why they do it. I have no idea why they thought it was a good idea. It's actually a major annoyance to the game that is just unneeded.
3. Route Running- It is far from crisp in this game. In fact.. it is horrific tbh. The route running in this game, even as simulation as it tries to be, is just bad. It also does not help that the defenses hardly react to anything and that the player figures are stiff as can be but the route running on pass plays is just rough overall. The defense and running plays are done better overall.
Rating:
Overall, a 7.5 out of 10 is fitting here. NFL Gameday 99 is a better simulation game than Madden NFL 99, but it does lose some luster over NFL Gameday 98. It's a fine football game and something they could build off of going forward in future games.
