NFL 2K2 is a 2001 video game for Dreamcast by Sega and developed by Visual Concepts. It is the last game for the Sega Dreamcast in the series after being discontinued before Sega shifted to a third party publisher. Because of this shift, it was released later for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It is also the first Xbox game published by Sega, and the last game in the NFL 2K series to feature Randy Moss as a cover athlete.
The game and the rest of the 2K titles on the Dreamcast have had their online capabilities revived and are completely playable online.[4]
The Dreamcast version received "universal acclaim", while the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions received "generally favorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6][7]Gary Whitta of NextGen said of the Dreamcast version, "It's showing its age, but NFL2K2 can still compete with anything the next generation has to offer."[30] In Japan, where the Dreamcast and PS2 versions were ported for release on March 28, 2002, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40 for the former,[14] and 32 out of 40 for the latter.[15]
Dr. Zombie of GamePro's December 2001 issue said that the Dreamcast version "continues its dominance as a high quality alternative to the Madden NFL series. Although the game wins by default for the Dreamcast, NFL 2K2's game enhancements and updated rosters make this a must-but for Dreamcast football gamers."[33][d] Two issues later, Bro Buzz said of the PlayStation 2 version, "Despite a few weak spots on its roster, NFL 2K2 is a whole lotta fun! Madden NFL 2002, out and about since last August, probably caught the lion's share of football gamers this season. But if you're ready for a second season, NFL 2K2 is more than worthy. And, as just the first PS2 football game from Sega Sports, you gotta like its chances next season."[34][e] Another issue later, he said of the Xbox version, "It's basically a port of the PS2 version, but on the Xbox, its graphics are so much sharper and the joystick-dependent interface feels perfect."[35][f]
The Dreamcast version was nominated for the "Best Sports, Traditional Game" and "Best Dreamcast Game" awards at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 Awards, both of which went to NBA 2K2 and Phantasy Star Online, respectively.[36][37] The same console version won the award for "Dreamcast Game of the Year" (which it shared with NBA 2K2) at The Electric Playground's 2001 Blister Awards,[38] and was also nominated for the "Best Multiplayer Console Game" (along with said game), but lost to Halo: Combat Evolved.[39]
^Marriott, Scott Alan. "NFL 2K2 (PS2) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
^Marriott, Scott Alan. "NFL 2K2 (Xbox) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
^Kujawa, Kraig; Hager, Dean; Leahy, Dan (January 2002). "NFL 2K2 (PS2)"(PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 150. Ziff Davis. p. 216. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
^Leahy, Dan; Hager, Dean; Kujawa, Kraig (March 2002). "NFL 2K2 (Xbox)"(PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 152. Ziff Davis. p. 144. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
^Kato, Matthew (January 2002). "NFL 2K2 (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 105. GameStop. p. 80. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
^Kato, Matthew (March 2002). "NFL 2K2 (Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 107. GameStop. p. 85. Archived from the original on November 13, 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
^Hiscock, Josh (October 10, 2001). "NFL 2K2". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
^Hiscock, Josh (February 1, 2002). "NFL 2K2 (XBox) [sic]". SportPlanet. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 27, 2002. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
^Dr. Zombie (December 2001). "NFL 2K2 (DC)"(PDF). GamePro. No. 159. IDG. p. 178. Archived from the original on January 17, 2005. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
^Bro Buzz (February 2002). "NFL 2K2 (PS2)". GamePro. No. 161. IDG. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
^Bro Buzz (March 2002). "NFL 2K2 (Xbox)"(PDF). GamePro. No. 162. IDG. p. 117. Archived from the original on March 13, 2005. Retrieved February 9, 2025.