NFL GameDay 97

NFL GameDay '97 is the second video game in the NFL GameDay series. It was released on November 30, 1996 on the PlayStation by Sony Interactive Studios America, and like its predecessor was a major critical and commercial success. On the cover is Daryl Johnston.

NFL GameDay '97
North American cover art
Developer(s)Sony Interactive Studios America
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
SeriesNFL GameDay
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • NA: November 30, 1996
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

Gameday 97 includes new options & features like season-ending injuries, a full-fledged draft, more statistics, and the ability to create players. It features all 30 NFL teams (1,500 NFLPA players) and modeled stadiums, including real NFL uniforms with real logos and numbers.

Development

Motion capture was again used, with Tim Brown being the motion capture actor.[1] In order to avoid a common complaint against competitor Madden NFL - that the A.I. can consistently be beaten with a specific play - the developers hired a full-time game tester whose job was specifically to find such plays and report them so that a counter could be developed.[1]

Reception

The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[2] Lauding the realistic variety of possibilities offered by the new moves,[4][7][9][11][12] the advanced AI which cannot be repeatedly fooled by the same play,[4][7][11][12] and the passing system, in particular the ability to control the receiver in mid-pass,[4][7][12] critics agreed that NFL GameDay '97 had managed to exceed its already phenomenal predecessor and all the other football games on the market.[4][7][9][11][12] Scary Larry of GamePro gave it a 4.5 out 5 in graphics and sound and a perfect 5 in both control and fun factor, especially praising the depth and realism of the gameplay.[7] GameSpot's Ryan MacDonald concluded it has "enough solid gameplay to make this the best football game around, on any system."[9] An Ultra Game Players critic declared that "With GameDay '97, Sony has proved that last year wasn't a fluke by making the best grid-iron game to date."[12] Next Generation, which had the same publisher as Ultra Game Players, mostly repeated the text from their review.[11] Kraig Kujawa of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) summarized, "Not only did they fix just about every flaw that marred the original without breaking anything, but they also added some innovative features ... Sharp graphics, brisk gameplay and a healthy dose of realism and fun make this title the best football game ever." His co-reviewer Dean Hager remarked, "Beginners as well as football simulation junkies will be satisfied with the game's ability to entertain and challenge players of all skill levels."[4] NFL GameDay '97 was a runner-up for EGM's Sports Game of the Year (behind Wave Race 64).[13]

The game was another success for Sony, selling over 350,000 copies.

References
  1. EGM staff (December 1996). "The Making of NFL GameDay '97". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 89. Ziff Davis. pp. 306–7.
  2. "NFL GameDay '97 for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 21, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  3. Marriott, Scott Alan. "NFL GameDay '97 - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  4. Kujawa, Kraig; Hager, Dean (February 1997). "NFL GameDay '97". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 91. Ziff Davis. p. 150.
  5. Anderson, Paul; Reiner, Andrew; Storm, Jon (February 1997). "[NFL] GameDay '97". Game Informer. No. 46. FuncoLand. Archived from the original on October 21, 1997. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  6. Jacques Strap; Joe Kidd (February 1997). "NFL GameDay '97". GameFan. Vol. 5 no. 2. Metropolis Media. p. 92. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  7. Scary Larry (February 1997). "GameDay '97 Goes Long - and Scores!". GamePro. No. 101. IDG. p. 88. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  8. The Fan (December 1996). "NFL GameDay '97 Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on July 15, 1997. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  9. MacDonald, Ryan (January 7, 1997). "NFL Gameday '97 Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  10. Boor, Jason "Jay" (January 6, 1997). "NFL Gameday 97 [sic]". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  11. "Madden-Beater (NFL GameDay 97 Review)". Next Generation. No. 27. Imagine Media. March 1997. p. 86. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  12. "Review: NFL GameDay '97". Ultra Game Players. No. 94. Imagine Media. February 1997. p. 88.
  13. EGM staff (March 1997). "The Best of '96". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 92. Ziff Davis. p. 90.
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