NFL Blitz 2002 was released for the Sony PlayStation 2 in the United States during the early part of the 2002 holiday season. The title was classified under the Sports genre and more specifically under the Football subgenre. The game introduced a fast paced arcade style experience with high speed runs and exaggerated tackles that emphasized excitement over realistic simulation. Visual presentation made use of detailed player models and richer stadium environments that made the most of the PlayStation 2 hardware capabilities at the time. A new physics engine replaced the older mechanics and delivered more responsive player movement and collisions. The artificial intelligence was upgraded to provide more challenging decision making as well as better teammates and opponents. The control scheme allowed for both quick throws and dynamic running plays that encouraged a more aggressive style of play. The game included a comprehensive roster of real NFL teams and players capturing the look and feel of professional football on a video game console. Multiplayer options ranged from local head to head matches to tournament modes that could be played at home or in arcades. The game was added to the iOctavio.com catalog on 2002-11-18 and this catalog listing helped enthusiasts locate the title when searching for specific sports software. The release was positioned as an evolution of the original NFL Blitz experience with improved graphics animation and strategic depth. Overall the game combined over the top attitude with elements of NFL strategy to deliver a distinct entry in the sports game market.
NFL Blitz 2002
