Madden NFL 98 is an American football simulation game developed by EA Tiburon and published by EA Sports, released in 1997. It is the eighth entry in the Madden series and the last one launched for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
The game features 30 teams from the 1997 NFL season, plus 85 classic teams active between 1960 and 1996. Players can compete in various stadiums, including the Hawaii Pro Bowl Stadium and San Diego Super Bowl Stadium.
Beyond traditional modes like Exhibition, Season (including playoffs and the Super Bowl), and Tournament (8 or 16-player single elimination), Madden NFL 98 adds Custom Season and Fantasy Draft modes. Custom Season lets players rearrange NFL divisions and build new schedules with all available teams, including classic squads. Fantasy Draft allows users to create custom team names, draft rosters, and compete in round-robin play, semifinals, and finals.
Powered by the "Liquid AI" system, the game enhances AI responsiveness for more realistic, challenging gameplay. It also introduces touch passing, letting players control pass speed via button pressure for more precise play execution.
Visually, Madden NFL 98 combines 2D player sprites with 3D stadiums and offers multiple camera angles.
Overall, Madden NFL 98 delivers an in-depth, authentic American football experience through its rich game modes, improved AI, and innovative mechanics.