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Madden NFL 08

  • 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

    Latest Madden delivers the goods best on Xbox 360.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Learn about football strategy and plays.
  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    By nature, football has tackling and other on-field violence.
  • Language:

    With the online component, trash-talking can occur.
  • Consumerism:

    Virtual billboards will soon promote products, says EA, but now most just say EA Sports and ESPN.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Madden NFL 08 was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents need to know not all Madden NFL 08 games are equal. The Xbox 360 version is by far the best version out of the new consoles, followed by the Wii and then PS3. For families with young football fans, the Wii version has an option to simplify the controls, making it easier for newbies to play. See our platform reviews below for more information. Parents also need to know that most of the versions offer an online component, which Common Sense Media does not recommend for anyone under age 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 the advantages and disadvantages of a company like EA paying for exclusivity with the NFL and ESPN. Should more companies be able to create NFL games? Does playing this game help you to understand and appreciate football more?
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More on Madden NFL 08

What’s the Story?

MADDEN NFL 08 introduces a new gameplay feature called "weapons," which are special skills assigned to elite players to reinforce what makes them great. For example, when activated, LaDainian Tomlinson becomes a truck who plows through defenders, whereas a smart quarterback, like Peyton Manning, can read the field and expose players who simply stick to their money plays. As introduced in the 2007 version, NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode is back, where you create a player from scratch and then work your way up from a nobody to an NFL star to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But your actions on and off the field will have an impact on your career: Should you take that endorsement deal or movie role? Close

Is It Any Good?

Madden NFL 08 is packed with new features and improvements over past iterations, and it's gorgeous to boot -- especially on the Xbox 360. Just be forewarned that the PlayStation 3 version has some well-publicized kinks -- including a frame-rate considerably slower than its Xbox 360 counterpart. The running, passing, and defensive game is top-notch, plus veteran gamers will notice some tweaks to the already solid control. Add multiple game modes such as the Mini-Camp skill-based games and head-to-head Internet support and you've got promising pigskin, once again.

Too bad the same can't be said for the PS3 version, which has some gamers up in arms over its relatively slow performance. The Wii version lacks some of the slick production values found in the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, but younger players will enjoy the motion-sensing remote as an alternative control mechanism (this is improved over last year as well).

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 08/14/2007, price $59.95, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Everyone)

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See all 19 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    Perfect for everyone!

    It is avery good game for tweens and kids! The only violence is tackling and no blood and awesome graghics. You can create a player, fan, or team.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 2.0

    stinks like gym socks!

    So boring it is so hard to play really do not get this if your a action gamer.

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

    great

    this is awesome for football lovers fun fun fun you gotta try the franchise mode be your favorite team play the seson you fell like the coachoh and you can change the rosters trade players draft go play and watch nfl

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    Amiable

    It's exactly what the last guy said, it is pretty addictive though.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 1.0

    good for sports lovers

    I loved this game. Its all football nothing else. Just great for sports lovers

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