NFL 2K3 continues Sega's successful football franchise with the addition of an ESPN license, allowing for distinctive menu screens, music, and a television-style presentation complete with player matchups, dramatic replays, and statistical highlights as the game progresses. Player models have also been addressed and now feature more frames of animation to show such details as stripping the ball, one-handed tips, hurried throws, chop blocks, and more. Coaches also roam the sidelines as in the Madden NFL series.
A franchise mode allows would-be general managers to draft and sign players from the front office desk, manage the salary cap, hire and fire coaching staffs, and deal with retirement, cuts, and trades over multiple seasons of play. The computer AI has also been refined. Teams are designed to react to play-calling tendencies by shifting coverage schemes during passes and runs to shore up potential holes and to isolate the ball carrier. Both PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions of NFL 2K3 offer online support for play against opponents over the Internet.
Controls
IN THE HUTTLE
Left Analog Stick = hightlight package, formation or play option
X Button = choose package, formation or play
Circle Button = reverse formation or play
Triangle Button = return to previous package or formation
L1 or R1 Button = scroll multiple packages, formations or plays
OFFENSE
BEFORE THE SNAP
X Button = hustle to line, snap the ball
Circle Button = hard count
Triangle Button = access audible menu
R1 Button = survey the field and button assignments
PASSING PLAYS
Left Analog Stick or D-Pad = control QB
X, Square, Circle, Triangle or L1 Button = throw to receiver
R1 Button = scramble with QB
L2 Button = pump fake
R2 Button = throw ball away
RUSHING PLAYS OR RUN AFTER THE CATCH
Left Analog Stick or D-Pad = run
X Button = speed burst
Square Button = dive, QB hook slide
Circle Button = stutter step, spin
Triangle Button = hurdle
L1 Button = shiff arm left
R1 Button = stiff arm right
L2 Button = juke left
R2 Button = juke right
DEFENSE
BEFORE THE SNAP
Left Analog Stick or D-Pad = reposition your player
X Button = run up to the line
Circle Button = switch player
Triangle Button = access audible menu
R1 Button = survey the field
L2 Button = shift down linemen left
R2 Button = shift down linemen right
AFTER THE SNAP
Left Analog Stick or D-Pad = run
X Button = speed burst
Square Button = dive tackle
Circle Button = switch player
Triangle Button = jump and raise hands
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKING TEAM
X Button = activate kick meter, kick the ball
Triangle Button = access audible menu
R1 Button = survey the field
Left Analog Stick or D-Pad = determine height of arc, aim kick left or right
RECEIVING TEAM
Circle Button = switch player
R1 Button = survey the field
Left Analog Stick or D-Pad = move player ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide
