NFL Xtreme 2 PlayStation

For those who have never played the original, NFL Xtreme 2 offers five-on-five action with authentic teams, stadiums and players from the ~NFL. New features include faster play selection (plays must be entered within ten seconds), larger players with real-life faces and "smack talk" sampled from 23 ~NFL stars.

While football is traditionally played with referees and specific rules, NFL Xtreme 2 bends a few regulations here and there for the sake of "entertainment." This means you can tackle receivers once the ball is snapped, slam running backs to the ground and even perform jump flips to elude defenders

Graphic details such as uniforms being ripped, helmets flying off and over-the-top celebrations are a key part of the ensuing mayhem. Offense involves moving the ball past the ten-yard first down marker using one of 30 plays, while defense relies on stopping the ball using any means necessary

NFL Xtreme 2 also features trades, free-agent acquisitions, substitutions and the ability to create your own player. The latter option lets you decide on your athlete's first and last name, jersey number, physical attributes and abilities by assigning 240 points to multiple categories.

In addition, NFL Xtreme 2 offers an eight-round draft to fill your roster with four offensive and four defensive positions. Other options include three difficulty levels (Easy, Normal and Xtreme), adjustable weather, multiple quarter lengths, three game speeds and different player sizes.

The four game modes include Exhibition, Season, Playoff and Tournament. Exhibition mode is one game versus the computer using any two teams from the ~NFL, while both Season and Playoff modes have you leading one team through a series of games (16 games for the season, four for the playoffs).

Tournament mode lets players assign three to eight teams to compete in a ladder format (eight players can play at once with two ~Multi Tap adapters). For those owning a memory card, user records, league leaders and season progress can all be saved using one to six blocks of free space. Grab a ~Dual Shock Analog Controller to feel a buzz after every punishing tackle or wicked hit ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide