NFL Fever 2003

 Xbox
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
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  1. GameZone
    89
    A terrific game. It does have a few flinches along the line of scrimmage, but once the ball is snapped, this game executes extremely well.
  2. TeamXbox
    88
    "NFL 2K2" will be online for players to go at it via broadband connections, but NFL Fever 2003 is going to be my choice this year because of both the online support and the energy level combined with realism.
  3. Official Xbox Magazine
    87
    It feels just like last year's version with online play added. [Oct 2002, p.100]
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  5. Gaming Age
    83
    While it's clear that Microsoft Game Studios isn't quite ready to overtake EA or Sega on the gridiron, there's no denying that they've made it a three-man race.
  6. Xbox Nation Magazine
    80
    Astoundingly close to toppling EA's mighty "Madden" and Sega's "NFL 2K" franchises... It offers near flawless online play. [Fall 2002, p.110]
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  7. TotalGames.net
    80
    Whether each play is successful or not is therefore something for which one rarely feels wholly responsible, although the overall sheen ensures that your suspension of disbelief can easily compensate.
  8. GamePro
    80
    This game dances down the sideline between football sim and football arcade game, and it scores.
  9. G4 TV
    80
    It's a living, breathing example of the Xbox's graphical prowess and a lesson in accessibility for novice gameplayers as well as the more experienced.
  10. Armchair Empire
    78
    Microsoft needs to balance out its AI challenge level, correct some gameplay issues and boost its features in NFL Fever 2004 if it ever wants any chance of beating out the Madden and NFL 2K series.
  11. Game Over Online
    78
    NFL Fever 2003 continues to look good, sound great, and play fast, resulting in a solid yet slighly unrealistic arcade football experience.
  12. IGN
    77
    EA's and Sega Sports' 2003 football offerings are both making bigger leaps over their 2002 counterparts and both deliver a more complete NFL experience than Microsoft's in-house developed football game.
  13. GamerWeb Xbox
    75
    A rehashed version of last year's game is about all you'll find in this latest installment of a still-promising game.
  14. GameSpot
    72
    Fans of last year's game won't find much more than a roster update and a few minor gameplay tweaks in NFL Fever 2003, while new players will find in it a fairly entertaining, though unrealistic, game of football.
  15. Gamer's Pulse
    72
    Solid graphics and lovely character animations.
  16. Cincinnati Enquirer
    70
    It's a fun, impressive football game but doesn't compare to the likes of "Madden" or "NFL 2K3."
  17. Gamestyle
    70
    But the Defence phases and the length of a match (count a good 40 minutes with all the tactics selection screens) prove to be a bit tedious and repetitive and will demand perseverance from the player.
  18. Game Informer
    70
    NFL Fever has more or less stayed the same, which means that it has actually lost ground. [Sept 2002, p.88]
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  19. GameSpy
    70
    It’s more lethargic; full of AI cheating, slowed down gameplay and ultimately causing frustration.
  20. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    There's still no excuse for an unbalanced throwing game and slightly twitchy AI routines that should have been cleared up in the intervening year.
  21. Yahoo!
    70
    If realism is really your gig, Fever is not the best choice, with Sega's "NFL 2K3" having more balanced gameplay.
  22. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    62
    I had hoped for a lot more, but it seems like the push to get it online was all Fever's developers focused on. [Oct 2002, p.204]
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  23. Maxim Online
    60
    Now we don’t mean to be football snobs here, but there’s just something wrong when a downfield bomb takes longer to drop than the Goodyear blimp. Just ask the unconscious wide receiver that got clocked by a safety waiting for it to come down.
  24. All Game Guide
    50
    An all-around disappointment for anyone expecting substantial improvements to the core engine.
  25. Sports Gaming Network
    45
    For a first year title, the learning curve is somewhat excusable, however, you have to draw the line at repeating those same mistakes the second time around.
  26. GameNow
    42
    Just doesn't make the cut. [Oct 2002, p.51]
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Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best Xbox Game of 2002
67
#67 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. JSXero
    Apr 7, 2014
    8
    Mostly overlooked the Microsoft Studio's series of games really offered something different to the market, and they are more worthy of goingMostly overlooked the Microsoft Studio's series of games really offered something different to the market, and they are more worthy of going back for a second look than that year's EA Sports Title.

    NFL Fever 2003, is a fun arcade approach to the sport, and the game looks gorgeous with vibrant colors and beautiful models, you really forget how impressive the console was at the time until you go back and compare the visuals to today. The commentating team from NBA Inside Drive is here and they do a decent job, even throwing a few lines about mixing up which sport they are actually calling. The sound & graphics really set this apart from the vanilla Madden games at the time, and it's a shame there weren't more of these games out there.

    Gameplay wise, Fever is a touch more arcade-like than the Maddens or NFL 2Ks of it's time, and it's a joy to play. Navigating plays feels tighter than Madden at the time, and the CPU is more balanced. Usually sports games get surpassed year by year and are not worth going back to, but if you missed out on playing this one, or you haven't played it in a decade it is a fun sports game that is unique enough to go back to.    … Full Review »
  2. GradyY.
    Aug 5, 2003
    10
    This game is awesome. I love how the players are larger then life and run smoothly. This is better then madden and 2k series to me.
  3. AaronH.
    May 12, 2003
    10
    Best football graphics ever. Best football game ever. I hope they make a 2004 version.
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