I know the crowd here is not particularly big on sports games, but I had to say something about this game. I had read basically that the game was pretty much Madden 2001 with updated rosters, but I have played the game for about an hour and I am pleasantly surprised.
1. There are way more tackling animations. If you don\'t get a square hit, chances are the runner will break the tackle. If you do bring him down, it is by means of a leg tackle or a "drag down".
2. The players look much more realistic. Bodies are better proportioned, and the big name players have similar faces to their real-life counterparts.
3. They have real coach\'s names, and the coaches are perfect matches for their counterparts.
4. The game just looks nicer. The little animations and everything look better, and the game seems so smooth.
5. The coverage on the game is extremely lifelike. You can no longer pick apart defenses with outs and fade routs. The CB\'s will step in front of an out and pick it off if the ball is not thrown at the right time. This basically eliminates the "bread and butter" plays that everyone likes to use on crucial 3rd downs.
6. They have improved the punt coverage. In the old madden you had to call a fair catch EVERY time. This version gives you some room to maneuver(sp?) most of the time.
7. There are coaches challenges (small feature, but it makes it more life-like)
8. After year 1 in dynasty mode you have to leave 5 players unprotected for the expansion draft.
9. Has a nice create a team mode. The most in depth create a team mode I have seen. Uniforms, Logo\'s, Stadium, etc. is all up to the user.
Anyone who was just going to wait it out with 2001 is making a mistake IMO, 2002 is a must have for Madden fans.