The Madden football series moves onto a new console generation with Madden NFL 2001 for PlayStation 2. This version comes with an all-new graphics and physics engine, its own selection of modes and teams, and several unique features.

Besides highly detailed players, the new graphics engine for the first time offers such visual elements as players sitting on the bench, coaches walking the sidelines, line judges dropping their markers, grass sticking to players' helmets and rain drop splashes. Movement is now momentum-based, with players' height and weight taken into account upon running and changing direction, and hit location and speed determining how the tackle plays out.

Gameplay modes include a selection of those available on other platforms and include exhibition games, season, franchise and practice. A new mode is Quick Play which sets up a quick random game. For beginners, the game includes an Easy Play mode which simplifies the playbook, makes passes easier and auto-assists on running and receiving.

The game includes a large number of teams, second only to the PC version: the 31 regular teams of the 2000 NFL season, the 1999 All-Madden team, 31 all-time franchise teams, the 6 NFL Europe teams plus 124 classic NFL teams.

The game also includes the Madden Cards mode seen in the previous generation's version, even though the challenges differ slightly: by completing certain objectives in the game, players gain tokens that can be used to buy collectible Madden Cards. These cards offer upgrades of players' stats, unlock classic players as well as hidden teams and stadiums and can trigger various gameplay cheats and gags.