Play Madden NFL 2001 Online

Madden NFL 2001 on Game Boy Color was a big deal back then—EA finally took over from THQ, and you could tell they put some effort into it. The graphics were cleaner than the last GBC version, and for the first time, you could actually play against a friend with a link cable (if you could convince someone else to own a copy).

It’s got all the basics: Exhibition, Season, Playoffs, and a playbook deep enough to feel like you’re making real calls. The QB speech was a weird little addition—he’d actually shout plays in that tinny GBC audio. Stats and rosters matched the 2000 season, so if you had strong opinions about the Rams or Titans that year, this was your chance to rewrite history.

Not gonna lie, it’s still a Game Boy football game—don’t expect miracles. But for pocket-sized NFL action, it held up way better than you’d think.