PC sports gamers are largely overlooked when it comes to any sport games. This year alone, console gamers had the choice between three to four football games; PC gamers only had EA's phenomenal Madden series to get the "football fix" they crave. This year, Konami decided to bring their football game, NFL Primetime to the PC. While it has marginal improvements over the console version, it still doesn't come close to beating this years Madden game.

Konami has put in a decent amount of modes that are: Exhibition, Practice, Franchise, and Tournament. In Exhibition mode the players can play a quick game to get the feel of it. Practice is where gamers get the feel for controls and how to execute plays where the players can start developing strategies. Franchise mode is where a player will take a team from the pre-season to the Super Bowl, if they make it. Tournament mode where there are several teams that play in a "king-of-the-hill" to obtain a winner.

The real meat of the game is the Franchise mode. While it is not as deep as Madden it still is one of the gleaning points of this game. The gamers can control nearly every aspect in the game, from signing contracts for the draft, to various other things. While on the field, players will have control on everything that is going on, the next play being called, how much to blitz, and when on defense having the option to spy on the quarterback. The franchise mode will last up to fifteen years, and many things can be done in that time period. Create a running back and watch them go from a sub par player to becoming the next Emit Smith. Just like in real football, trading and drafting will become vital part of NFL Primetime. Players will get to see old retired players, get the new draft pick, and re-sign players. In time players will be able to create their own dream NFL team.

Even with the great Franchise mode, NFL Primetime falters in the most important area, the gameplay. The AI has been enhanced over the console counterparts but it still needs vast improvement. The computer has the fantastic ability to make interceptions and score on a seventy-yard pass. When the player is the offense it is very difficult to make a ten-yard pass. When the ball is caught, it seems like it should have been missed because the ball will literally "jump" into the player's hands. To make matters worse there are also "magic tackles," this means is if a defender is few yards behind, he will "magically" tackle the ball carrier. Even if the defender is anywhere near the ball carrier, he is going down no matter now many speed bursts, spinning, and other moves that are done.

The other bugs that were encountered in this game did not help the overall experience. The computer used to test the game is well above the recommended settings yet the game still had frequent crashes. This is unacceptable and this should have been caught when the game was still in development and testing phase. Here is just one example of the irritating bugs that was encountered. There was just twenty seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter, and the Cowboys, the team I was playing as, were down by two field goals on the twenty-four yard line. I choose to pass to the right wide receiver and the game froze five yards from scoring a touchdown. This could have been excusable if it was a one-time occurrence; instead it is a reoccurring problem

One thing that will disappoint many football fans is that Konami did not include any multiplayer options. To compensate Konami beefed up the Franchise mode, but that does not replace the feeling of playing another live person and beating them online.

ESPN NFL Primetime 2002 is rated E for Everyone.

Install: Easy
Just put the CD in and than play. Game runs off entirely off the CD, all that is needed is hard drive space for game saves.

Gameplay: 4.5
While the action remains tense, NFL Primetime 2002 contains to many bugs to remain enjoyable.

Graphics: 6.5 
The level of detail in the character models and stadium is well done, but the rest of the game is an extreme let down. Although even with graphics on high detail the sideline and crowds need major work. They look like paper dolls that didn't get cut out correctly with all the gray and white surrounding each crowd member.

Sound: 6.8
Even though Chris Berman and Tom Jackson did the commentary, it gets repetitive quickly. The stadium is always in a constant cheerful mood, there are no "boos" let out.

Difficulty: 6
The game didn't translate well to the keyboard configuration. It is hard to sprint and hit the button to "juke" out the defense

Concept: 7.3 
Hardly a new concept by any means. Not installing any files to the hard drive is a nice feature, but it is easily overlooked.

Multiplayer: N/A

Overall: 6
Konami needs to go back to the drawing boards. The game has the potential to rival Madden series if it is properly debugged, contains internet play, and if it was released before the Super Bowl, when people are still in the football spirit.