Common Sense Note
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. It's not unusual for a game development studio to tweak the game's features to best take advantage of each console's strengths. 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 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?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Marc Saltzman
Serious sports gamers circle August on their calendar each year because it's when EA Sports kicks off the latest version of its wildly popular and longstanding Madden NFL game series.
The latest pro ball simulation -- 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.
This latest installment 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. Two dozen of these weapons are in the game, plus players can combine them to maximize an offense or create a dominating running game.
The plays are still balanced, however, since one weapon might help cancel out another; A possession receiver adept at catching big air to snag a ball might be placed opposite a serious midair tackler.
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?
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).
Football fans might also enjoy playing 2K Sports' All-Pro Football 2K8 or NCAA Football 08. For younger kids, check out Backyard Football 2008. Other good sports titles to explore include: Wii Sports and Major League Baseball 2K7.
Platform Notes
Nintendo Wii
As with the 2007 version, Wii gamers will enjoy using the motion-sensing controls to virtually throw the football and perform other game moves that you see mirrored onscreen. For this version, additional controls were mapped to the Wii remote and the secondary nunchuk controller to make the game more intuitive. The 08 version also has a new feature called Family-Play Control, where you remove the nunchuk controller from the Wii remote to make the whole game motion-based; the A.I. takes over the movement of the players for you. This version is easier to play, making it perfect for young children. The slick visual presentation and online options found with the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions are absent in this Wii version.
PlayStation 3
While the game looks good on the surface, the frame rate isn\'t very good, resulting in relatively slow gameplay and some jerky animation. The game runs at 30 frames per second instead of the Xbox 360’s 60 frames per second. Even the game makers at EA admit the game was \"difficult to get right the first time,\" referring to the fact it’s the first time Madden was made for Sony’s new console.
Xbox 360
Because of its superior graphics, fluid animation, and long list of features, the Xbox 360 is the best platform for this game. The gamepad makes controlling gameplay very easy. For online gamers, the Xbox Live service makes matchmaking, chatting, and head-to-head play simple and fun.
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ViolenceBy nature, football has tackling and other on-field violence. |
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LanguageWith the online component, trash-talking can occur. |
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CommercialismVirtual billboards will soon promote products, says EA, but now most just say EA Sports and ESPN. |
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Educational ValueLearn about football strategy and plays. |
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