Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kid-friendly football simulator is fun but more of the same.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Madden NFL 25
What's It About?
EA Sports is back in play with MADDEN NFL 25, the latest in its annual celebration of all things football. As with its predecessors, you can play as or against your favorite NFL team, or create your own, and take to the field in several solo and multiplayer modes. Available on multiple platforms but enhanced for current-gen systems like PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PCs, new features include FieldSENSE improvements, a physics-based tackling system to make the game look and feel more realistic (and complemented by new animations). On the defensive side of the play, enhancements have been made to Hit Stick; pressing up or down on the right analog stick now lets you stop the ball carrier instantly with the right timing and positioning. A new Ball Carrier Balance and Recovery System gives you more control over taking a big hit, breaking the tackle, and recovering your balance based on the success of the hit and who the player is (Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC only). Back again is the popular Franchise mode, to test your skill as the owner or coach of a team through several seasons. A refreshed NFL Draft experience lets you better manage players, along with new environments, celebrations, and refreshed broadcast teams featuring Mike Tirico, Greg Olsen, Kate Scott, and Brock Huard (for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC only). There's also new play-by-play and color commentary, with over 35,000 new lines added by EA Sports for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Windows PCs. Other new elements include tweaks to the Superstar mode, enhanced presentation, and more customization options for both single and online modes. Note: Those who play on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Windows PCs will have the best experience and graphics, compared to the game on last generation's Xbox One and PS4.
Is It Any Good?
How much better this latest version of the popular football game is really depends on what platform it's played on. Play Madden NFL 25 on one of the current-generation consoles—PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC—and you'll be able to take advantage of new gameplay, visual, and audio enhancements. But for everyone else, the game is only a slightly better version of its predecessors. After reviewing this on Xbox Series X/S, there are a few standouts, including the "collision" animations and celebrations (especially during Super Bowl), updated commentary, and, overall, slicker broadcast-style visuals. But even without these presentation frills, it's still a great game underneath. Players can enjoy a refreshed NFL Draft process, personalized storylines across Franchise and Superstar modes, added options for managing player personalities, and enhancements to building your Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) by customizing your roster (with fresh playbook content). There's a six-on-six arcade-like mode and redesigned leaderboards (by playing competitive seasons), and for those on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Windows PCs, a web-based Team Builder tool in Franchise mode, which allows you to create and customize team logos, colors, helmets, uniforms, and fields. The Superstar mode has fun side missions (called Quests) for your created player to complete during their career, bringing rewards to boost your player or unlockable skins to wear in the online Superstar mode. There are also plenty of in-game purchase options, using real cash to buy virtual currency, that can be used to redeem virtual in-game items. So long as you don't expect a major gameplay update to previous Madden games, and/or it's been a few years since you last bought the game, you won't be disappointed with Madden NFL 25.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Madden NFL 25 compares to previous versions of the game. If you owned previous versions, do you think it was worth buying this latest version? Why, or why not?
How did the game teach you the importance of teamwork? Why is teamwork such an important character strength? Can you think of a time when you've demonstrated good teamwork in your own life?
Game Details
- Platforms : Xbox Series X/S , PlayStation 5 , Windows , PlayStation 4
- Pricing structure : Paid ($69.99 (Standard Edition))
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : EA Sports
- Release date : August 19, 2024
- Genre : Sports
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : February 18, 2025
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