Madden NFL 09 Review

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(More customer reviews)Here's my review of Madden 2009 for the PS2.

First off, I'm not really concerned with the gameplay.I'm one of those people that only plays the Franchise Mode (I call it Franchise Mode, I know some refer to it as Owner Mode, but I use Franchise).Within a year I might play an actual game maybe a half dozen to a dozen times, that's it.In Franchise Mode I simulate all the games, I LOVE to act as a GM/Owner making all the decisions.So with that being said I'm basing my review with the bulk of my emphasis on the Franchise Mode.I'll touch a little on the gameplay first.

- The gameplay seems like the same old Madden a basic re-hash of last year's version or the version two years ago, or the version three years ago (you get my point).

- Commentary is the same, Madden & Michaels.The PS3 version has Hammond & Collinsworth.All the new added features you'll hear about, i.e. Madden IQ, Rewind, and the new graphic effects are all available on the PS3 version not the PS2 version.Nothing new is added execpt for the Fair-Play feature.I do think they added more people/personel on the sidelines during a game.

- The Rosters are updated but updated very poorly (Indiana Jones 3).Like a recent reviewer said they don't even keep past stats available for seasons players had before '08.All it says is N/A.Strahan is still a Giant, Dan Klecko is the only FB for the Eagles, Mike Hart isn't in the game with the Colts, Favre is nowhere to be found, and Pacman "Adam" Jones isn't even on the Free Agent roster.Heck Cedric Benson is still on the Bears roster, that's how bad it is.A lot of updating by you is needed.Plus if you don't have an internet connection you'll have to make Favre yourself.For the Eagles I had to cut Dan Klecko, and go get Lawton from the Colts to play FB for the Eagles.Lawton is currently an Eagle, but Jason Davis isn't in the game.So I had to give the Colts some b.s. player just to have a FB on their roster since I had to get Lawton to the Eagles since Klecko isn't an FB anymore, he's back at DT.Oh yeah getting the rosters up to date takes a ton of time and patience.

- One pet peeve I have is that EA doesn't even update their interface on the game.Some of the NEW features added in the past Madden's are still featured as NEW features.Player Weapons is not NEW, it was available how long ago?!Gosh!!

- Ok, the Franchise Mode.First off, I will say I love the new Decade Scoring System.At the end of the off-season right before Training Camp you get a score card evaluating your past season.Your score card has points and grades on it ranging from if your team made the playoffs, average attendance throughout the season, net profit, how many pro bowlers you had, how many rivalry games you won, etc, etc.Then you are given a grade or a score for each category and a total is added up, and each season you can compare each Decade Score Card and the points you earn.It's really neat, puts even more pressure on you to do well in that particular season.

The trade deadline glitch is gone.You can't trade your 1st round pick for the worst team in the league's 1st round pick anymore.Trades are graded now depending on your record at the deadline.Makes things harder, no easy way out anymore to stack your dynasty with multiple 1st round picks.One thing I do have a problem with is the Draft Grading in Madden.I always get an F, no matter who I pick.The Draft Grades emphasize your Decade Score Card and getting an F every season really hurts your point total.

During the Draft now the computer will approach you with selection trades.I like this.I had no idea they added this till, I was in my draft and all of a sudden while it is cycling through picks a window pops up asking me if I'll accept this trade.Very cool.You can review the trade, accept it, or reject it.

The loading times in the Franchise off-season are a lot quicker.On the load after the retired players screen when players are getting new roles and roles taken away it's better.Instead of loading through each player now it loads specific to each team.You can't go away anymore to get a cup of coffee while it loads for 5 minutes, it's more like 1 minute then done.Same with the Roster Management screen, loads quicker.

Pretty much that's it, the rest of the Franchise is the same.Nothing new, but given the quicker loading times and the advent of the Decade Scoring System, it's still a lot of fun.Highly recommend it if you are a Franchise gamer like me.

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Product Description:
Product InformationTwo decades ago Madden NFL exploded onto the scene with staggeringlyauthentic football action and a strategic by-the-playbook approach to the gamepreviously absent in sports video games. With Madden NFL 09 20 yearsof innovation culminate in a new apex in the series' groundbreaking realism.Savor the pulse-pounding excitement as Madden NFL 09 delivers anintense real-world pro football experience like only legendary coach JohnMadden can. The action of the gridiron comes alive with stunning graphicsinnovative plays and multiplayer competition that thrusts you into the center ofthe game with no nonsense and no mercy.The NFL bursts from your screen with multiplayer action and gameplay thatpushes you to the limit no matter what your skill level. In Madden NFL 09the play is more realistic than ever before with the all-new Total ControlAnimation System. Execute instantaneous combo moves bobble catchesuser-controlled celebrations and more for a game that looks and feels like it'sstraight out of the NFL. Stadiums leap off the screen to dazzling effect with anenhanced graphics engine that delivers turf and grass so realistic you canalmost feel it give beneath your feet as well as authentic weather and stadiumlighting effects. New player models more genuinely replicate the real physiquesof the pros from sleeker receivers to bulkier linemen to provide an even moreauthentic experience on the field. Immerse yourself in the full NFL experiencewith an all-new network television-style broadcast featuring Cris Collinsworthand Tom Hammond. The new Options OnDemand Picture-in-Picture window gives youinstant access to stats tips and more without having to pause the game. Plusfor the first time make a run for the postseason online as you battle among upto 32 teams. Live the NFL experience in all its brutal glory with Madden NFL09 as you savor the thrill and punishment of professional football like youcan find only in this renowned series.Product FeaturesStep into

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Madden NFL 09 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the ultimate football game for the Wii, hands down. EA got this one right. If you've played 07 and 08, then it's basically the same game control-wise, but don't let that fool you. On the surface, it may seem to be the same, but when you launch the game, there is so much more there.

First off, All-Play. What is it? It allows the novice to get into the game and start playing without having to worry about learning all the different control moves to play the game. You can have Madden suggest all the plays for you, you can use a simplified playbook with common plays or else, you can use the team's playbook and have at your disposal an arsenal of plays to beat down your opponent with. You can switch between the different playbook options easily while in the game.

Whether you are a rookie or an All-Pro player, everyone can compete against each other with their own style, at home and online! Oh, and no Friend codes are necessary to play online! Great move, EA!

Control-wise, you can just hike the ball, run it with a few moves (jukes, spins, etc) and pass it to the open receiver all with minimal controller moves and/or button presses. When passing, look for the receiver whose icon turns green and swing the Wiimote forward to pass it to that receiver. You don't have to select him to do it. As you get better at the game, you can then move up to the more complex controls from last year's game.

The all-new Call Your Shots is the hot route option on steroids! In this case, you select your receiver whose route you wish to modify and then using the Wiimote, you draw your own route for him to run! This option is NOT available on any other console. It is specific to the Wii and it's easy and it works great. You can still use the old hot-route option if you want to, but why would you?

When you score a TD or a big hit, jump up and start dancing as hard as you can, waving your nunchuck and Wiimote around using different gestures. The more you do it, the more you boost that player's gameplay rating and it gets the crowd into the game.

5 on 5 mode is akin to playing backyard football. You start at midfield and have 4 plays to score a TD. It's over the top and fun. Unfortunately, it can't be played online.

The graphics, while still PS2-ish, have been upgraded on the Wii and look better than previous versions on the Wii. Heck, it definitely looks better than the 2008 PC version. It's not next-gen but what really makes this game shine is the ability for novices, intermediate and hard-core Madden-ites to be able to play this game. I've never had more fun with Madden than I have had with this version and I'm in no way an expert on this game. I can barely play on All-Pro and All-Madden is just nuts for me, so now I can hang pretty tough and learn what to look for as Madden gives me tips.

And finally, the passing bug of years past is gone! They fixed this and refined the way it registers your movements so that it seems much more natural. Also, players getting stuck seems to have been removed as well. I haven't experienced it yet, though, but I've read accounts of others seeing it once in a great while, but nothing like in the previous versions.

Now, why 4 out of 5 for the game overall? First off, the Miis. The refs are Miis. Madden is a Mii (that is scary!) and you cannot turn this option off. I believe it's Nintendo's way of trying to make the game appeal to the family crowd and it probably works. I didn't find it too bad, but I wish it could have been an option to turn on or off. But, it definitely plays into the way Nintendo wants to market the Wii which is it's a family/group system that encourages people to play together, so it's not all bad.

I'm having problems when receiving a pass manually. You must raise both the nunchuck and the Wiimote up at the same time to make your player reach/jump for a pass. I've practiced this as much as I can and I just can't seem to get it to work consistently. In fact, one time I swung both controls up so fast that the cord from the nunchuck to the Wiimote came up and smacked me in the face. OUCH! I guess I just need to keep practicing this one, but all the other motion controls work great.

Finally, 5 on 5 not being online brings the score down a bit as well.

Overall, this game is worth it and is deserving of the 5-star fun factor rating. It's the best Madden yet for Wii and it shows EA listened to the gripes from people about last year's version.

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Madden NFL 09 All-Play Wii

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Madden NFL 09 Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been an avid hater of the Madden Franchise since they bought out the NFL license in 2005. I've been a 2k guy for a few years now. My hatred has been solidified with every time I pick up a friend's copy of each Madden series installment riddled with poor gameplay, features, bad AI, and an over emphasis on graphics. Heck, I've been playing ESPN NFL 2k5 since 2005 regularly for my NFL fix. That was until this edition came along.

I have to say I'm extremely impressed with Madden NFL 09. Yes, the graphics are great, but the gameplay and presentation and features are all there as well. Something that the 2k series has had Madden beat on for a very long time.

This game is great in many areas. For example: staying in the pocket to make good throws. Gang-tackling. Consistently changing computer AI that adapts to how well or how incompetent you are in the game of football; oh and it actually works very well, too. So you're always challenged on a consistent basis. Something that really appealed to me for this version was the ability to import plays created in Head Coach 09.

Another thing that really hit me was the ability to scout out college prospects throughout the year. I always hated in previous years of any football game (i.e. NFL 2k and Madden NFL) how you had to gather up all the info you needed for a draft in a span of a few simulated weeks in the off-season. Now you do it all season long. So it's easier to make a good decision on what guys you want during the draft.

All in all Madden 09 is great, but not perfect. I've made through an entire season, and I'm very satisfied with the product I've purchased. Sure there a few nit picky things that come up. One is when the clock gets down to 1:01 left in a half, the computer will virtually always call a timeout when behind. But like I said: that's nit picking.

And this FREEZING thing people keep talking about? Yeah, I haven't seen it on my XBox 360 console. I do have the new one with the HDMI on the back, so maybe that's why. I don't know. But I've left my console on for hours while keeping a game on pause, coming back to it later, and it continues without a hitch. Honestly, I've seen my copy of NFL2k5 freeze way more often in the span of a season (about 2 to 3 times) compared to Madden 09 (0 times).

I'll go out on a limb and say it might be the best Madden yet. However there were things I really liked about the 2005 version and even the 2000 version, too. Actually, Madden '93 was actually my favorite Madden of the 90s, and that leads me to something disappointing I'll reveal.

Madden '93 for this game is not the real Madden '93. It's actually a dumbed down version with the current rosters and teams, and there is no other mode to play but exhibition mode.

I actually liked Head Coach 09. I managed to get a copy of the 07 version, and it was okay. I thought it had potential, but that was it. The 09 version made some improvements. Picking your staff is easier. The games are actually 15 min long per quarter instead of 2 min per quarter. I don't like how during halftime you can't motivate your team or make adjustments. I'd go further into it, but the bottom line for people on the fence about purchasing this version of Madden to get Head Coach 09 need to understand one thing. This is a simulation of the heart ache that comes with being a Head Coach. I admit, it feels like a job sometimes when you play this game. But it is a simulation of what being a head coach in the NFL is kind of like. Unfortunately, there are things about Head Coach 09 that you can do that really only the GM has control over in real life. But I'm weird like that how I know that, but I love Pro Football. Since I'm a nut about it, I do appreciate playing a game like Head Coach '09.

The special features disc is nice to watch and then store. That's about it for that. It's nothing you can't find on YouTube or on a re-run of a show on NFL network.

Overall, I'm very impressed with this product. I found my copy online for 65 bones brand new, and it was worth every penny. It's safe to say that my copy of NFL 2k5 is going to be collecting a lot of dust over the next couple of years or so. This Madden is that good for a 2k lover to cross over to the "dark side" and enjoy. Heck, if you're weary because you are a Madden fan and have been burned by bad games since Madden 06, then don't fret. At the very least, pick up a copy of Madden NFL 09. You won't be disappointed this year.

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Product Description:
Madden NFL 2009 Collector's Edition includes both Madden NFL 2009 - With the best gameplay, deepest online experience and most features ever - and NFL Head 2009, offering absolute control of your favorite franchise plus the ability to create custom playbooks for Madden. Madden NFL 09 delivers its most complete NFL football package ever. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or picking up the game for the first time, players of all skill levels will enjoy a unique, yet challenging experience with the innovative Adaptive Difficulty Engine, which tailors the game to match your playing style. Instantly improve your game with the all-new virtual Training Center or incorporate feedback with EA SPORTS BackTrack, allowing you to learn from your mistakes on the fly. With a new broadcast presentation and online leagues, plus more than 85 new features and enhancements, Madden NFL 09 is the most authentic and adaptable game in sports video game history. An all-new Adaptive Difficulty Engine assesses your proficiency in the core skills areas of football. An innovative, Virtual Training Center allows you to fine-tune your game in a holographic environment, while EA SPORTS BackTrack provides customized feedback, giving you a chance to learn from your mistakes. Take what you've learned and run the play again with EA SPORTS Rewind. Set your sights on the Vince Lombardi Trophy in an all-new network-television-style broadcast as Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond call the action from the booth. A more immersive and visually stunning presentation package also includes a new Options OnDemand Picture-in-Picture playcall window giving you access to a wealth of stats, customized tips, and in-game options--all at your fingertips without having to pause the game. Make a run for the post-season for the first time online. Featuring trades and statistical tracking for Online Leagues, up to 32 teams can battle it out using all-new flex scheduling. Wi

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