Madden NFL Football - 3DS
Common Sense says
- Nintendo 3DS
- $39.99
- 2011
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Madden NFL Football - 3DS is a professional football simulation. It strives to depict the sport authentically, all the way down to its famously hard tackles. Aside from this mild violence, the game does not contain any inappropriate material. But parents need to remember that Nintendo is warning parents not to allow kids age six and under to view the graphics in 3D because that viewing "may cause vision damage." The Nintendo 3DS offers parents the ability to lock out the use of 3D graphics in the system's Parental Controls.
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Not a good game...
What's it about?
The best-selling football game series from EA Sports makes its debut for Nintendo's new 3D-capable handheld system in MADDEN NFL FOOTBALL - 3DS. Players can play as or against their favorite pro football teams in a number of game modes ranging from traditional 11-on-11 play to a fast-scoring 5-on-5 mode (with no clock or penalties). Play a quick single game when you have a couple of minutes to spare or a lengthier season mode to vie for Super Bowl stardom. The game features all 32 NFL teams and stadiums, the ability to draw plays on the touchscreen (or select a pre-made play from the book), and great graphics with dramatic camera angles that make it feel like the game is televised.
Is it any good?
The game would be better if there were an online multiplayer mode -- or at least support for local wireless play -- but even as a single-player football game, Madden NFL Football delivers the goods. Between the tight controls, smart A.I., 3D graphics, and multiple game modes, EA Sports' latest pro football game is a blast for fans of the sport. The optional Arcade mode makes the game faster and more exciting, but purists might want to stick to the Classic mode for a truer NFL experience. Drawing offensive or defensive plays on the touchscreen with a stylus pen or finger is great for those who want more depth, but those who'd rather spend more time on the field can opt for the GameFlow feature that automatically selects the best play for the situation. In short, this game is a treat for football fanatics who scooped up a new Nintendo 3DS system.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how EA Sports creates a Madden NFL game for virtually every game platform imaginable, from consoles and handhelds to social networking sites to smartphones and tablets. Do you feel the need to play virtual football on multiple devices? If so, does that reflect your passion for the sport, the quality of the game, the effectiveness of EA's marketing, or some combination of the three?
Families can also discuss the kind of violence found in contact sports. What do you think of competitions that see people trying to hurt each other?
How important was playing this game in 3D? Do you think the Nintendo 3DS is a game changer?
Game details
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
- Price: $39.99
- Available online? Not available online
- Developer: EA Sports
- Release date: March 27, 2011
- Genre: Sports
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- ESRB rating: E for (No descriptors)
- Last updated: June 19, 2019
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.