While
Madden NFL 2001 maintains the normal gameplay features of previous entries in the series—exhibition, season, playoffs, superbowl, etc.—the game comes with a number of enhancements over its predecessors. For example, completing "madden challenges" now earns tokens, which can be used to purchase extras like cheats and hidden players. Additionally, the graphics received a significant overhaul over
Madden NFL 2000, displaying such details as the contours in the pig skin on the football and grass which becomes wedged in player-characters' helmets when they are tackled.
[GameSpot: Madden NFL 2001 Review (October 13, 2000)]