John Madden Football '93 is an adaptation of American football that takes place from an isometric perspective in a two-dimensional environment. The player begins each match by selecting such variables as the game mode, weather conditions and team(s). Game modes include pre-season, regular season, playoffs, and sudden death. In addition to the game's single-player mode, two-player competitive and cooperative modes are available.[4] Unlike in prior games in the series,[2] a coin toss at the beginning of every match determines which team will kick off, and which team will defend each goal.[4]
Before every down, the player selects a personnel grouping, formation, play and, on defense, coverage shell from a menu.[4] The game contains fifty-five offensive plays and seventy-one defensive plays,[5] such as screen and play-action passes, blitzes and man-to-man defense. During a down, the player may control one team member at a time or allow the entire team to execute a play automatically.[4] On offense, depending on the play, the player controls the quarterback, running back or kicker. After a pass, control automatically changes to the ball receiver.[4][6] On defense, the player may at any time switch control between any members of the team. Instant replay is available to review plays.[4]