DESCRIPTION

NFL Blitz 2000 is a football game featuring modified seven-on-seven action and real NFL superstar players. A sequel to 1998's NFL Blitz, this edition features new four-player support, an "on fire" mode for increased speed and power (whenever a receiver catches three passes in a row on offense or the quarterback is sacked twice on defense), new "blitz passing" (using the C buttons to pass to receivers) and secret codes for enhanced gameplay.

NFL Blitz 2000 features a total of three play modes: Arcade, Tournament and Season. Arcade mode is a quick game for one to four players, while Tournament mode pits two to eight players against each other in either a single elimination or best-of-three tournament. Season mode is for single-players only, and allows users to embark on the entire 1999-2000 NFL schedule with their favorite team.

For those new to the game, NFL Blitz 2000 is played like traditional American football but with a few exceptions. First, there are no penalties. Pass interference, unnecessary roughness and late hits are not only legal, but encouraged. Second, there are only seven players on the field for each team. Offensive teams get three linemen, a quarterback, a running back and two wide receivers, while defensive team members will vary according to the defensive scheme chosen. Finally, there are no timeouts allowed, but the clock does stop after each play.

After a team scores a touchdown, players can elect to kick the extra point or go for a two-point conversion. Unlike most football games, NFL Blitz 2000 awards extra points automatically; the defense does not get a chance at blocking them. After the extra point attempt (or field goal), the scoring team then kicks off and play resumes. Players can choose to do an onside kick by holding the A, B, and Z buttons and pressing up on the analog stick. If successful, onside kicks allow the kicking team to regain possession of the ball.

As in 1998's game, NFL Blitz 2000 features a play editor that enables users to edit existing plays or create new ones. Players can set a receiver's routes, the number of times he will spin, juke or sprint, and even the position and blocking direction of the linemen. In order to save these plays (as well as season progress, options and statistics), users will need a Controller Pak with 120 free pages (out of 123). ~ Anthony Baize, All Game Guide