DEAL: Madden 09 (XBox 360)

"Very nice, I like!!!"
Beautiful graphics, realistic physics and stellar game play!!! You'll feel more involved and in tune than you ever have w/ any other Madden, or any football title for that matter! The developers finally seem to have a grasp on harnessing the 360's full power/abilities. It's the next-gen Madden we've all been waiting for and it's FINALLY here!!! If you haven't picked it up... Well, let's just say you are out of your freakin' mind!!!!!!!! I'm not going to take up any more of your time; instead of reading this you should be playing Madden 09!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Madden 2009 vs. Madden 2008: Visual Effects Improved
After carefully playing the game for the first time for about an hour, I could tell right away that Madden NFL 09 is very similar to Madden NFL 08. One minor thing I noticed is that it had slightly improved visually over last year's edition.

I believe one thing they have improved in substantially is the visual effects. The faces, in my opinion, have been enhanced to fit NFL counterparts better, as well as jersey and arm muscles have been modified to look more realistic. I also noticed a little improvement on the stadium and player shadow to add more clarity and visual. Moreover, I like how the field has more fuller precipitation, footprints in the snow, and better looking field grass than Madden NFL 08.

As a Madden NFL fan, I believe there are not much difference from Madden 09 to Madden 08. I still think Madden 09 needs to improve more on the animations and better camera presentation. But overall, I believe Madden NFL 09 is slightly better than Madden NFL 08, but the improvements on made on Madden NFL 09 is not at all significant.

Best Madden Yet
Since EA has the rights to the NFL, the quality of Madden has declined over the last 3 years. Using a radio announcer on TV is the result of an annoying monopoly over American football videogaming. Now that Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond are announcing, it has a great presentation. They even have the Sprint half-time report!

Graphics - 5/5 for actually improving the graphics greatly. I feel like it is next-gen. Only 2 blue boxes show up in the endzone during a score (only glitch thus far).
Sound - 5/5 Collinsworth and Hammond have overturned Madden and the radio guys!
Gameplay - 5/5 the new football IQ helps to determine your skills on O and D in 4 categories (on rushing/passing each side). There is even a Matrix-like rewind for newer players to get a "football mulligan"
Fun - 5/5 you may want to get the Collectors' Edition since it comes with Head Coach 09 and Madden 93. I miss Madden 93 when they really were the innovators in football gaming. It just took them 15 years to actually make the game fun again!


I was really sad to see 2K5 go since the presentation was excellent that year for 2K Sports. Madden has been flat for years. The marketing of EA wants to make you think they improved something other than updating the current year rosters, but EA actually put out a quality NFL game this time.

To check out the features go here: http://www.easports.com/madden09/fullsite/features.jsp?itemID=nextgen

Great gameplay and new features make this a win!
I have been following the Madden franchise for years. Mostly since 1994 I have bought it almost every single year. As of late they have been having problems coming out with a great product. Madden 06-08 had been epic failures in terms of how they executed. This year is finally different.

There are around 85 new features and changes to Madden this year. Some of them good, some of them not so good. The new Rewind system will likely be ignored by hardcore gamers because it's cheap. Mostly you can get a mulligan for a bad play if you choose. Most people that played HATED that. Also the IQ system is not that great. You can get 30 yards rushing off of 20 attempts and still be bumped up to All-Pro. I don't think it really assesses you that well.

The graphics are truly stunning. I work at Wal-Mart and was running the game yesterday for people to try out and everyone stopped by to gawk at how amazing the graphics were. The view from outside the buildings are breathtaking. The players finally move like real people. Their bodies cock back when hit sticked. Necks fly backward and legs crumple. It's very realistic.

The gameplay itself is also a high point. You have total control over your players. Passing has become a lot easier in ways because your QB's skills are finally totally in control. The players actually play to their abilities. It shows when one of the Achievements is "Get 7 TD passes with Atlanta". Talk about difficult.

Commentary is much improved. Gone is the radio and in with the two man broadcast team. I still feel like Madden doesn't know whether it wants to be a down on the field type of game or a broadcast type of game. It takes more broadcast this time around but still keeps the down on the field feel.

Also a fun (and frustrating) part of Madden is Madden Moments. You get to relive a plethora of moments from the 2007 season. From the Bills loss to the Cowboys on Monday Night Football to Devon Hester burning the Broncos. Some of them make you recreate history. Some make you reverse it by stopping it. Either way there are plenty of them and they are NOT a walk in the park.

I have played Madden from Sunday to today on both PS3 and 360 and I must say 360 has the edge. Much better graphics and smoother I believe it's the clear winner this year. The button layouts also compliment the 360. Don't listen to the naysayers, this year Madden came to play.

Best Madden Ever
In my opinion, Madden's gameplay and features have always seemed to stay the same. However, for the first time in the franchise it feels like a whole new different style of play. The game is much more realistic, and feels very authentic. ALso, there are over 85 new freatures ([..]). Overall, it is a must have.