Others say...

"Based on a couple of months of playing..."
I really attempted to enjoy this game, as I have played past years' versions with some enjoyment, but it has simply been too many years of releasing the same thing without fixing fundamental problems. Super-athlete DB's, WR's who are ignorant to the out of bounds markers while running routes, offensive linemen who routinely o'lay defensive linemen without taking a step, defensive linemen who get routinely flipped in the air despite being ranked in the 90's, etc.....

I think that it boils down to this: If you are fan of one of the top five teams in the NFL, then you will probably enjoy the game because your team will be stacked. If you are on of the rest - then be prepared for frustration. There is definitely something going on with the AI that calibrates the games to what EA thinks should be the outcome (even with mid-season roster updates).

My main gripe is that everyone has been complaining about the same issues, year after year, without EA really doing anything to improve the game. I have bought Madden for the past four years, but this year will be the last. And tomorrow I will be returning it to the store to salvage whatever value it has left.

I had high expectations with this being the 20-year anniversary and all, but this is just another bad rehash of the same old flawed game. Too bad there is no competition due to exclusive rights agreements.



"Fun and great graphics, but......"
This is a game with breathtaking next-gen graphics and is fun to play, but there are some deeper problems I've found. The hit stick is far too effective, the quarterbacks(no matter how sorry their ratings may be) complete about 80-90 percent of all passes, and I can't put together ANY kind of a rushing attack. So, if you like playing football just for fun with your friends you'll probably find this one to be quite impressive. But if you're a hardcore football gamer you'll see some problems and unrealistic stuff going on in this game.

"Bring your learning curve"
I owned this title on x box and went to x box 360. It takes a little longer for things to deveolope on 360, but the learning curve is a little steeper, not being used to the 360 commands.
Like other Madden titles though, once your play a while, it is probably the most enjoyable, addictive and versatile games there are.
Every mode possible, training, very deep Franchise mode...just a plain blast! Highly recommned this game.

"The best Madden in years"
I have bought the new Madden every year since 1997. Some years the updates are pretty drastic, and sometimes they are barely noticeable.

2009 stands out as a serious upgrade to the Madden franchise.

The graphics are OUTSTANDING, it looks like watching a game in high-def. The play seems more realistic. You have better control over the ball carrier.

There are several new features. When you score a touchdown, there is a highlighted area, if you go for the highlighted area it will go to a cut-scene animated celebration. You can even do a Lambeau Leap.
There are players designated as "play makers" and are shown with special icons under the player. Some are better run defenders, or pass defenders, or elusive runners, or spectacular receivers. It would be nice if there was more detail about HOW this affects game-play, and what each icon means but it is not well documented.
There is a "Rewind" option that allows you to "take-back" the last play and re-run it. So if you throw and interception to left and the CB runs it back for a TD you can "Rewind" the play (it actually runs in reverse) until just before the snap. You can then choose to throw with different timing or throw to a different receiver. By default each player gets 1 "rewind" per game, but this is configurable from 0 on up.
There is a new virtual trainer that will allow you to practice some of your game skills on both offence and defense. They will also test you on these games to rank you, presumably for online matchups.

Overall, I think it's the best Madden so far, well worth the upgrade.

"Like a dumb supermodel......."
I own the PS2 and the Xbox360 versions of Madden 2009. The XBox360 version is beautiful, yet unplayable. The game engine is sooo poor. Recievers regularly running out of bounds. Zero run blocking, not poor blocking, zero blocking. The blocking intelligence does not work in this game. Way too often an offensive lineman runs around people instead of blocking them. QB accuracy is a joke. Perfect accuracy too often and then can't hit the broad side of a barn when the game is on the line. Horrible. Beautiful graphics though. Excellent animation. If the game play of the PS2 version could be combined with the display of the Xbox360 version, we'd have the best Madden ever. I love playing the PS2 version. Not at all like the 360 version. Fun Fun Fun! With poor graphics... and sometimes slow frame rates. I played the 360 version for one month and went back to the PS2 version. If you are commenting in forums about this game, understand the PS2 version is a completely different game than the Xbox 360 version.