Okay, we've got the possible flaw thread, but this game deserves its own hype thread. I'm silly hyped about this game and from the looks of it, it could be incredible. I've been playing NCAA for the past 8 years and I'm actually looking forward to a change of pace. It's the 2nd year on the 360 so I'm looking for big improvements and a new online addiction.

Moodini is on a work retreat, so I'll be back to post my review of the game. 20 hours and counting!!!!

9.5/10

nice graphics, nice options, they cleaned some of the annoying stuff up from last year, overall good deal.

Awww, Mood is missing out. I'll be at the Tre house tonight with the fellas gaming it up. Reggie Bush an MVP? We'll find out!

My first impressions of Madden are terrific. The first day I played NCAA I tried to force some enthusiasm, but I knew it wasn't as expected. After playing Madden last night, I haven't been this excited about a football video game in years.

I honestly do not have complaints about the game right now. I almost went in expecting things to be wrong because NCAA prepared me for that. But, I haven't found any other than a 1/2 second pause when the offense is selecting their play and you are trying to select yours.

I believe the graphics are approaching the Fight Night level. Just flawless. It is really unbelievable how perfect they made each player, especially those very recognizable stars. Last night Jethro reached the endzone with TO and TO planted the ball on the ground, put one foot on it, and flexed for the crowd. I went nuts, looked just like Sunday.

The movement of the players is much improved from NCAA. I can actually juke now and perform a successful spin move. I don't just hit the impact stick and hope the computer performs a necessary move for me like on NCAA. I found a happy medium on the number of big plays as well. Several losses, some solid yardage at time, and the once in a great while big run. It was perfect.

I didn't seem to come acrossed glitch plays yet either. I'm sure there are one or two, but I haven't found them yet. I found several within the first 2 games of NCAA.

If you pop in the game for the first time, select plays designed for specific players when you are on offense. Each player's face is brought up with his own specific plays. This was on NCAA too, but this time around a real life pic of the player is on the screen for each playbook. It looks awesome.

Well, I'll be back after I've played a few more games. Right now, I'm also giving it a 9.5/10. I always leave room for improvement. I'm not a NBA dunk contest judge 50...50....50... haha

^^ all agreed except i havent noticed the 1/2 second pause when selecting a play. my only annoyance is madden himself, i was barely into my second game before i had to turn him off.

Played it, loved it. My only beef is that when I played and went into overtime my feild goal hit the crossbar. I would have enjoyed winning. But the experience was amazing.

By the way, Reggie Bush looks good. TO looks good. The end zone dance Tre mentioned was on the first score. The next time I scored with him he skated in the end zone with his hands behind his back. I also scored on a long TD with some other cat and he stopped at the one, spread his arms and fell into the end zone. Bush did the patented Bush flip in. All tight.

My only real beef isn't very warranted. I'm an X-Box guy and playing 360 a number of the controls were different and it took a while to pick them up and figure them out. I could get used to them, sure, but I don't get why they feel the need to change them with every new game and new system.

Played it, loved it. My only beef is that when I played and went into overtime my feild goal hit the crossbar. I would have enjoyed winning. But the experience was amazing.

By the way, Reggie Bush looks good. TO looks good. The end zone dance Tre mentioned was on the first score. The next time I scored with him he skated in the end zone with his hands behind his back. I also scored on a long TD with some other cat and he stopped at the one, spread his arms and fell into the end zone. Bush did the patented Bush flip in. All tight.

My only real beef isn't very warranted. I'm an X-Box guy and playing 360 a number of the controls were different and it took a while to pick them up and figure them out. I could get used to them, sure, but I don't get why they feel the need to change them with every new game and new system.

I'll tell you what, now that I'm used to the next gen controller scheme, I LOVE it. I can't play the current gen games anymore because I am so used to the new scheme. I didn't think it at first, but it totally makes sense having the speed burst on the R Trigger.

first annoyance: in superstar mode im a QB, but if my receiver drops the ball or fumbles after the catch, or if my RB gets tackled for a loss or fumbles well after i give him the ball, my rep points go down. on the flipside if my RB gains yards i get rep points, but id take the tradeoff of not being responsible for what happens after i get someone the ball because i would be much better off if it were like that.

also do you generally get drafted by your favorite team? i assumed it would be random but the cowboys drafted me in the 3rd round. see ya bledsoe.

Okay, after further review this game is flat out great. Here are some reasons why:

1) Intelligent AI!!!!!!!!!!! Something NCAA has been struggling with for a couple of years. The AI actually runs a decent offense. They make it tough to stop. If the ball goes sailing over a DB's head while he's in a zone he doesn't just sit in his area (ala ncaa), he actually makes a play on the ball.

2) No glitch plays. I've been so sick of seeing the same damn play work over and over and over on NCAA. It is not like that on Madden. Sure, there are plays that are successful frequently, but no guarantees. I love it.

3) Player movement. The running movements are so much better on Madden. I like the juke and spin move.

4) Happy medium on big plays. I think they found a happy medium on the number of big plays. Big plays are possible, yet you don't find them every other down. Very realistic

5) This is probably the thing that caught me by surprise the most- SUPERSTAR MODE!!!!!!! This way of playing the game is unlike anything I've ever done. It is so in depth and so addicting. Sure, as U pointing out above it is weird that you take plus' and minus' for things you can't control, but the rest of it is sick. I could write a novel here about all the great things in Superstar mode. Instead, I'm just going to tell you to play it and experience it for yourself. Revolutionary addition.

^^ totally addicted to superstar mode here.

first true glitch: TO ran a curl route, caught the ball at about the 1 yard line, could have scored, but instead kept running backwards and was tackled at the 50. needless to say, i didnt score on 3rd and goal from the 50 lol

Sounds like a freak unfortunate play rather than a glitch. I doubt you'll ever see that one again haha.

I played 3 complete games as a LT in superstar mode...loved every second of it.

I played 3 complete games as a LT in superstar mode...loved every second of it.

really? i was wondering if anyone was going to do SS with a lineman or kicker.

another thing im not big on, is in SS mode i have the CPU play defense since im lazy. i swear not one second ticks off between plays before the other team is walking up to the line. i moved my game time from 7 min quarters to 5 mins to compensate.

Sounds like a freak unfortunate play rather than a glitch. I doubt you'll ever see that one again haha.

really? just happened again. this time a curl route to terry glenn. once again caught at the one, thankfully he got tackled at the 10 though. turned into a field goal because it was 3rd down.

I played 3 complete games as a LT in superstar mode...loved every second of it.

really? i was wondering if anyone was going to do SS with a lineman or kicker.

another thing im not big on, is in SS mode i have the CPU play defense since im lazy. i swear not one second ticks off between plays before the other team is walking up to the line. i moved my game time from 7 min quarters to 5 mins to compensate.

Dude, why would you want to sit and wait while the other team picks their plays? They do the plays in speed up mode because nobody wants to sit their watching a game for an eternity while your superstar isn't on the field.

i just grabbed it for ps2. i like it alot and i think they just ported an upgraded version of 2006. but i had no problems with 2006 for the most part so i like the upgrades and think this is the best madden yet on ps2 atleast.

Dude, why would you want to sit and wait while the other team picks their plays? They do the plays in speed up mode because nobody wants to sit their watching a game for an eternity while your superstar isn't on the field.

no, it can jump ahead but take a realistic amount of time off the clock rather than nothing.

Madden's only sitting at an 83.3% on Gamerankings.com. I'm shocked. I'd give it at least a 90%. Superstar mode is the coolest thing ever.

I would put it at 95%. It is one of the best football games I've ever played. I absolutely love it.

Madden's only sitting at an 83.3% on Gamerankings.com. I'm shocked. I'd give it at least a 90%. Superstar mode is the coolest thing ever.

After playing a bit more, I'm going to have to seriously change my review. 2 things that really piss me off are the fatigue meter bug, where no matter how hard you are working a guy, his fatigue meter will appear full even though he's not. The rumor is that EA is going to have a patch available to download to fix this very soon.

Also, the game-killing Hall Of Fame roster glitch just got me! AAAAAAAH! After doing pretty well during a game during superstar mode, I returned to the main menu and decided to check out my Madden gamer level. A pop-up box pops up saying I've unlocked some Hall Of Fame players and they're now in the free agent pool. I tried to save the roster, and delete it, then start the game over so the default roster would load up, but nope, Sammy Baugh, Herb Adderly, Y.A. Tittle, and Chuck Bednarik will all be free agents when I start my franchise!

Why can't EA get football right on the 360? Freaking GAAAAAAAAY!

in superstar mode when you unlocked the players... how far were you and how well you were doing? im playing on pc, and wondering if it wont happen or im not far enough.

in superstar mode when you unlocked the players... how far were you and how well you were doing? im playing on pc, and wondering if it wont happen or im not far enough.

I just finished the second pre-season game, but I did get like 110 efficiency points in the last game. Then I just went to Madden gamer level and all of a sudden these old school ballers were free agents! AAAAH! Does anyone know a way around this?

must just be a console glitch then. i went 15-1, won rookie of year, QB of year, super bowl, superbowl mvp, and pro bowl mvp, and i dont have any of the HOFs in my game in the second season now. i regularly averaged about 200 influence points per game, up to 350 on a couple games. for the record im playing on pro level, was pretty rusty on madden so didnt want to go for the gold right away but at least i wasnt playing on rookie lol

Yes, the HOF players showing up as FA's is in fact a known glitch on the consoles.

This is taken from Operation Sports, specifically Shawn Drotar:


I've received a response directly from the Madden team.

Apparently, the people who told me that HOFers were not going to be added to Superstar/Franchise rosters at Community Day were "misinformed".

"...the (design) team wanted to give players the ability to use HOF players on current rosters. This is intentional."

***

This is the workaround recommended by the Madden team if "players do not want to use this feature":

"Hall of Fame players are added to the roster on boot-up and whenever you move up in Madden Gamer Level. In order to prevent these (players) from being on your Franchise team, you have the following options:

1) Save off the roster upon boot-up, and load once you are in-game and then head into Franchise mode.

2) Go online and get the latest roster and start a Franchise. This will also remove the players. Once you have started a Franchise, these players won't show up, as the roster is saved with the Franchise."

To add to that, if you already have a saved Profile with a Madden Gamer Level high enough to unlock HOFers immediately, I'd recommend copying it to a memory card, removing it from your hard drive (if applicable), and booting the game without it so it doesn't auto-load.

You'll have the default rosters (and the ability to load customized ones from memory) and bypass the MGL/HOF functionality. Then, after the Franchise/Superstar is saved, you could load your profile normally.

The above instructions should also apply to Superstar mode as well as Franchise.

***

Now, seeing as how quickly everyone jumped on EA here, I'd like to point out that their response regarding a workaround took only a few business hours after I called them yesterday, informing them of this and alerting them that I would post that evening in advance.

Thanks specifically go to Michael Johnson of EA, who worked after hours last night after we spoke and coordinated this workaround so quickly today, and the Madden design team for getting back to us and responding to the community's need for information.

Sweet. Thanks bp. I'm definitely going to download the roster update, I'll give that a shot.

must just be a console glitch then. i went 15-1, won rookie of year, QB of year, super bowl, superbowl mvp, and pro bowl mvp, and i dont have any of the HOFs in my game in the second season now. i regularly averaged about 200 influence points per game, up to 350 on a couple games. for the record im playing on pro level, was pretty rusty on madden so didnt want to go for the gold right away but at least i wasnt playing on rookie lol


Wow, more cheesy than a Wisconsin deli.

No offense man, but I gotta have my franchises/superstar modes more realistic. I gotta up the AI or something so that my dude doesn't win every award known to man.

mmmm cheese lol

like i said i hadnt played more than a couple games of madden in the last 2 years or so, so i wanted to get my chops back before getting slaughtered. im on all-pro now.

I'm really frustrated with online play right now in Madden. Online ranked matches are where its at. BUT, I got royally screwed today and it has happened to me on NCAA as well.

Here is the scenario:

I'm up 3, I've got the ball on my opponents 20 yard line and I just got a first down. There is only 2 minutes left in the game. I'm averaging about 8 yards a carry. The game is in the bag. He has also used all of his timeouts.

All of a sudden the game stops and says that it lost connection. My modem was fine, all cords fine. The game just lost connection. I get a loss and a DNF for the game that I was two minutes away from sealing up. I talked to my opponent who was real cool and he said that he got a loss too.

I'm so pissed, I was 2 minutes away from being 10-2 and instead I'm 9-3 with a DNF on my record. Bullshit

Madden's only sitting at an 83.3% on Gamerankings.com. I'm shocked. I'd give it at least a 90%. Superstar mode is the coolest thing ever.

After playing a bit more, I'm going to have to seriously change my review. 2 things that really piss me off are the fatigue meter bug, where no matter how hard you are working a guy, his fatigue meter will appear full even though he's not. The rumor is that EA is going to have a patch available to download to fix this very soon.

Also, the game-killing Hall Of Fame roster glitch just got me! AAAAAAAH! After doing pretty well during a game during superstar mode, I returned to the main menu and decided to check out my Madden gamer level. A pop-up box pops up saying I've unlocked some Hall Of Fame players and they're now in the free agent pool. I tried to save the roster, and delete it, then start the game over so the default roster would load up, but nope, Sammy Baugh, Herb Adderly, Y.A. Tittle, and Chuck Bednarik will all be free agents when I start my franchise!

Why can't EA get football right on the 360? Freaking GAAAAAAAAY!



Go to www.maddenmania.com register, and view the forums, there's fixes there, kinda ghetto fixes, but it'll fix it.

Go to www.maddenmania.com register, and view the forums, there's fixes there, kinda ghetto fixes, but it'll fix it.


Just be careful of what you say over there because they are rather ban happy. Heaven forbid you critique the Madden franchise is any way. [smilie=sarcastic.g:

Go to www.maddenmania.com register, and view the forums, there's fixes there, kinda ghetto fixes, but it'll fix it.


Just be careful of what you say over there because they are rather ban happy. Heaven forbid you critique the Madden franchise is any way. [smilie=sarcastic.g:



Yeah, but there NCAA rosters are freaking sweet...Not to mention there are some dorks who'll make realistic draft classes for six years down the road to import into madden. I love those nerds.

Does anyone know if they're going to be updated rosters for Madden on the 360 this year? If yes, where do you go to get them? I didn't find a download spot anywhere when I was online, but I started an online game and I had to download a roster, but when I checked it, it wasn't very updated. Rogers was still on the Lions and Duckett was still on the Falcons. Any info?

Every time I go online to play, a notice comes up saying their are updated rosters. I select download and I'm off and running.

21-3 online boooooooy

Yo...Just select create session like you are going to start an online game. As your opponent is selecting their team, the game will make you update your roster. Once it is updated, back out and get into your superstar mode.

Yo...Just select create session like you are going to start an online game. As your opponent is selecting their team, the game will make you update your roster. Once it is updated, back out and get into your superstar mode.

Got it the other night, thanks Tre. I'm runnin' with the Cardinals in Franchise mode. L Fitz and the boyz are putting up some crazy numbers! [smilie=fireworks.g:

Did you rename your stadium "The Pink Taco"?

I just did something amazing the other night. I'm in the year 2010 with the Lions. I imported all the draft classes from NCAA and I've got Vince Young at QB, Adrian Peterson at RB, and LaMarr Woodley on the d-line. I was getting sick of playing the computer in franchise mode, so I attempted to get a Live opponent. It found someone right away and I played against a real user in my franchise game vs. the Packers! He was rolling with Aaron Rodgers at QB and Steve Slaton at RB. It was so much better than playing the computer and I got the win and it counted in the franchise and all the stats were updated too. Awesome. If you've got Madden, you have to check it out if you haven't already.

I had Madden for 3 days then traded it in.

I had Madden for 3 days then traded it in.

Why? Sure it's not a classic, but it's not that bad.