If you're able to, grab a rom from the Tecmo bowl updaters. Theyve tweaked the AI to choose plays you can't see on the screen (to prevent knowing the play) and updated for current rosters/stats/etc.
It's well past the "pick Bo Jackson and win" stages
Over pixels?
Nah, you got what you get.
At this point I can't even be surprised.
Knee-deep in Umamusume.
I've seen some previews of upcoming trainees, and watched a friend play in the JP servers.
I can't wait for Akebono's banner. She's hilarious.
I think the better question would be WHICH Madden?
I'm personally a PS1 Madden enjoyer, but the more recent ones feel so bogged down for 'realism' that it sucks the fun out of the game.
That being said, Tecmo Super Bowl on the NES (and the roster update versions online) is the best football game, hands down.
Sounds like 1001tracklists, but for a broader range of artists.