First off, the gameplay in NFL 2K2 is more action-oriented than EA's Madden series. The momentum and physics that leave the control oh-so-close to being out of your hands in EA's game isn't present in Sega's game. Responses are quick and crisp, immediately doing what you input using the controller. While some might prefer this arcade-like control, others will lean towards the simulation style of Madden - and it's all a matter of taste, both just take getting used to. With that in mind, NFL 2K2's gameplay is excellent. After the great job Visual Concepts did with the previous 2 versions, you might wonder how on earth they could improve on it. Well, the running game is better this year. Hitting the hole is tough but fair - if you have a decent running back. Key situations where you normally wouldn't be able to slip through a short gap to daylight have changed in NFL 2K2, now the running back will turn to the side and 'get skinny' in order to get through. Once you see this move in motion, you wonder why no one else has come up with this before. Secondary coverage is of vital importance as well, if you have a favourite receiver the AI will home in on this and add double, even triple coverage in order to shut him down. The "Maximum Passing" function will allow to lead the route to compensate for coverage, and in the right hands can be devastating. For example, if you want to lead your receiver a little bit, push forward slightly on the analog stick. If you want to break the ball hard to the receiver's right, jam right on the analog stick. It's certainly not a money-play function, it just adds greater control to the passing game and is deadly once you figure out what you're doing..

NFL 2K2 has a bunch of different gameplay options for the Sega football fanatic. You can jump into a quick game, where the DC chooses the teams and you go right into gameplay. There are exhibition, season, playoff and fantasy modes, plus a tournament option for when the buddies come over to see who's the best of the best. NFL 2K2 also provides a Franchise mode, where you draft and build your team, guiding their fortunes from season to season. Don't forget the salary cap! Network play is present and accounted for, and Sega has added something this year which, quite frankly, all online games should employ from now on. Sega will be keeping track of all wins, losses...and DROPPED CONNECTIONS. So all you punks who reset your DC when someone halfway across the continent is handing you your ass on a platter will have your cheesy tactics recorded for all time. You start a game, you finish the game or face embarassment of the highest degree. Great move, Visual Concepts.

Graphics are good for the DC, with nicely detailed crowds and well-rendered stadiums. The players have that slightly angular look to them which isn't quite realistic, but it's either that or the the tubby chubbies on Madden - maybe someone can combine the two models and come up with a happy medium? The player faces are very detailed, and all the little touches are there, from eye black to wrist bands and tape. Jumping into create player allows you to put together the most insanely detailed player you want and place him on any roster you like. All of the teams are represented and the uniforms look great, with dirt and grass appearing on the uniforms when playing in foul-weather open fields. There are tons of great animations of players breaking tackles, sliding off defenders, grabbing for the shoelace tackle - no matter the scenario, the animation looks fluid and never out of place. Unfortunately, the low-poly faces on the referees combined with the player sprites on the sidelines detract from the realistic atmosphere. Still, the gamplay is solid, and ultimately that's what counts.

Commentary is truly the area where NFL 2K2 spits over the competition from a great height. The amount of detail for each play and scenario is dazzling, especially when compared to the "I'm not getting paid by the word" greybeards over on the Madden series. In NFL 2K2, the announcers will discuss the number of down and yards left, which player has been the go-to guy so far, and after the play has finished, critique what just happened on the field. Sega's NFL and NBA games have been the clear market leaders in play by play ever since debuting on the DC, and NFL 2K2 is certainly no slouch in this department. The game sounds are great as well, with members of the defensive line talking smack to various offensive players, to the point of calling out players by name and detailing the vicious things they plan to do to their mothers. "Hey Moss, you don't want that ball if I'm covering you!" "Your 24 doesn't want to get hit with my 23!" Out-freaking-standing.

Overall, NFL 2K2 is a fitting tribute to the Dreamcast - showing that games on so-called 'lesser' systems can ably compete, and in some cases beat out competitors on more powerful systems. It's sad to see the series die on Sega's little white machine - but the excellent groundwork here makes me extremely eager to see what Sega can do on PS2, GameCube and Xbox - and should make EA extremely nervous. Sega's machine is showing its age compared to the newer systems, true...but even so, NFL 2K2 is without a doubt the finest football gaming experience on the DC - and as a football game compares favourably with EA's Madden series. DC owners should run, not walk, to check out NFL 2K2 immediately.