Play Madden NFL 2002 on GBC Online

Madden NFL 2002 on the Game Boy Color came out in 2001, published by THQ. It was one of the last football titles for the system before the Game Boy Advance took over, and it offered a surprisingly complete package for a handheld sports game at the time. You got a full season mode, exhibition matches, and even the ability to link up with a friend, which was a big deal back then.

You control all eleven players on the field, calling plays from a simplified menu and then executing them with basic but responsive controls. The main objective is to move the ball downfield and score, either by running it in or passing. Signature mechanics include a play-calling system that lets you pick from a handful of offensive and defensive formations, and a juke move that helps your ball carrier slip past defenders. The pacing is quick, with games that usually wrap up in under fifteen minutes, and the difficulty feels fair whether you're playing against the CPU or a friend. It feels like a genuine, if compact, football experience you can fit in your pocket.