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Madden NFL 07

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Not much new, but sure to be a big hit with kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    It is impossible not to learn something about football strategy.
  • Messages:

    Players are given the option to commit fouls and not always penalized.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Some big hits and low blocks, but nothing gratuitous.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    The game is part of a long-running series. Players will see ads for EA Games, the NFL, and a few products like Sprint, Motorola, and Snickers.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Madden NFL 07 was written by Chris Jozefowicz

Parents need to know that this game features controls that may be too complex for younger players. The gameplay is pretty much like real professional football; players control some hard tackles and they have the option to try illegal moves like holding, although they may have to face the penalties. The game has ads for real-life companies, a soundtrack with licensed songs, and it promotes the National Football League. Parents should be aware that the game has an online mode and that Common Sense doesn't recommend online play for anyone under 12.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what makes football interesting. Do flashy plays and show-business elements make the game exciting or is it the play-calling strategy? Families can also discuss the advertisements that are wrapped up in the game. Is this commercialism distracting -- or does it make gameplay more authentic? Finally, families should discuss proper online behavior.
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OK for Your Kids to Play?

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More on Madden NFL 07

What’s the Story?

Players who have tackled a Madden game before, such as the 05 or 04 versions, will find themselves on familiar ground. As in previous years, MADDEN NFL 07 does a nice job of translating the big, complex, and messy world of professional football: real players, real stadiums, big hits, injuries, commercial sponsorships, some showboating, and plenty of play-calling strategy. Although Madden 07 has a pick-up-and-play, single game option, for serious players the heart of the game will be one of the season-spanning modes, which have only minor tweaks over previous entries in the series.

Is It Any Good?

Despite some innovations and small changes that allow players a finer degree of control over maneuvers, Madden 07 still has some problems. Corporate sponsorship of things like drive summaries and player-of-the-game awards are familiar from real football, but come off as gratuitous in the game. Likewise, the EA-staple of a background soundtrack of punkish and hip-hop songs, complete with pop-ups identifying the song and artist, feels awkwardly tacked on.

Yet the biggest complaint many gamers might have is that they've seen the basic Madden football game before. This latest iteration will hold most appeal to football fans and those players eager to delve into the up-to-the-minute online community for contests against real humans.

Publisher’s Details

Developer: Electronic Arts
Released on: 08/28/2006, Price: $49.99, not online enabled
ESRB Rating: E

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    well

    i have this for a lot of syestems so eny meny miny here is the review for gamecupe it rocks any age that is all the time i have also the graphics for it on ps3 rock bye

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    A Realistic Portrayal Of The NFL

    The latest installment of the very popular Madden series of football games is not much of an improvement of the previous titles in the series.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 18
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    The Team

    I love this game but every1 is over rated my teams are Carolina (Steve Smith, D. Foster, J. Peppers, Jake D., and the rest of thier Defense.) Also my back-up team are the Chargers.(I have 2 letters for you LT, they also have Drew Brees, Shawn Merriamen he might have done steriods but who cares he came second for defense of player behind Jason Taylor of the Dolphins and the rest of thier defense.) I'm from Indiana so I have to say the Colts.( Peyton, Reggie, Marvin, Addi.) El Ronaldinho G. Kid #10

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