Madden NFL 08 (Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PSP, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Mac)

common sense media says

Latest Madden delivers the goods best on Xbox 360.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that 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.

Educational value: Learn about football strategy and plays.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
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.

More on Madden NFL 08

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

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?

What's the story?

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?

Is it any good?

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).

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PSP, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Mac
Available online
Genre: Sports
Developer: EA Sports
Released on: August 14, 2007
Price: 59.95
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

This review was written by Marc Saltzman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

robot kid
kid, 12 years old
 
favorite madden game!!
Awsome!!! reveiw nothing but tackling...... mild.

ROMO1
kid, 13 years old
 
good game
i saw no proplem GO ROMO

Plague
parent
 
Madden NFL 08
This game was as fun and realistic as the past Madden NFL games. Great graphics and all your favorite teams make this the perfect game for all football fans.

videogamesrock
teen, 13 years old
 
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.

bonso
kid, 11 years old
 
stinks like gym socks!
So boring it is so hard to play really do not get this if your a action gamer.

coolkat
kid, 13 years old
 
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

Audiophile
teen, 16 years old
 
Amiable
It's exactly what the last guy said, it is pretty addictive though.

redsox361
kid, 11 years old
 
good for sports lovers
I loved this game. Its all football nothing else. Just great for sports lovers

mpearmai
kid, 12 years old
 
good PSP game
On Christmas Day 2007, I got a PSP. A few days later, I got the Memory Stick, this game, and Crazy Taxi. I love this game!

jteaser398@aol.com
kid, 13 years old
 
This Game rocks
Madden 08 is the best madden so far. This game is good for your hands. If you like playing football play this game. This Game Rocks

jonnypants23
teen, 18 years old
 
Intense Game!
This game got the HITs!Got the MOVES!And got the GAME PLAY!If you love football games and intense hits get this game!

CSM Screen ...
teen, 16 years old
 
A sweet video game (even if you don't play sports)
This game is way cool! It has fun game modes, such as party mode or NFL superstar where you get to build your character and live through him as a rookie. I am 12 and I play sports, but not football. This game has "hit sticks" (shoveing pretty hard) but there's no blood or gore or any of that nonsense. It's really fun for me maybe because I have the wii. You get to use arm motions to do basically every play.

kidawak
teen, 14 years old
 
IT PERFECTLY SAFE
the greatest game not an issue

acallon
adult
 
This is the BEST Madden ever -- it will probably will be forever
Madden 08 is awesome!The franchise mode is the best.You can move your team to a different city.Also party mode is cool.It is designed so you can play with friends.Also I would put the graphics at the top of the list.The minicamp is awesome there are lots of games like ground attack and chase and tackle.You can choose your favorite team and the computer will put the team's logo on the screen.In NFL Superstar you can make your own person like choose what college they went to and their age and name and then lead them to a perfect rookie season.Also you can play online which means you hook up to your computer.In play now you can play with any team 1 player or 2 player.There is also a little better choice of music.

cooldude23
teen, 16 years old
 
this game rocks
Madden nfl 08 is fun to play.It's one of the best games I ever played. I recommend this to any one who loves sports.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age