Madden NFL 07

Launch titles are usually a mixed bag, but EA excels in this updated next-gen port, with plenty of visual candy and modes to be excited about.

The controls have become needlessly complicated and gameplay so slow that only advanced players will truly enjoy the depth to be found here.

Characters look more realistic than ever, but they still act like they did in the last generation. Collision detection is still a joke, penalties come few and far between (seriously, watch am NFL game and count the false start penalties; now play 5 straight games of Madden and see if the AI commits even one.) and overall it just doesn’t feel like real football.

So this is what it must feel like to be the Arizona Cardinals: You’ve got a new home, but the results are just the same.

How about letting multiple people play on the same team, or even letting us play three-on-three matches? The series is probably headed in that direction, but like an obese ex-coach on a bus, it’s getting there slowly.

An extremely solid game of football. The motion-sensing SIXAXIS controller does nothing to improve the gridiron experience, but by and large, EA includes everything that makes the franchise great, from the easy to learn controls to the bone jarring tackles.

Madden 07 PS3 is lightning-fast and silkily fluid. In fact, after playing the two versions back-to-back, we're inclined to say that the PS3 version feels a smidge faster and more responsive than the Xbox 360 version.

The singleplayer game is slightly improved on the 360 version, but the online isn't up to Live's status.

If you go in expecting the game to be revolutionary you can’t help but be disappointed. However if you’re just looking for an enjoyable and solid game of football, you’ll be happy with the game.

As was the Xbox 360 version, the PS3 version of Madden NFL 07 is a very good football game that doesn't quite live up to the full potential of the latest console hardware. And while the game looks and plays quite good on the PS3, the added Sixaxis control support isn't really that impressive.

Madden NFL 07 is more than competent; in fact, it's very good, but unless you've waited all this time for a football game for this platform, with only a few weeks left in football season, you may want to just wait for next year's game.

Manually controlling your lead blocker to open up a hole for your running back both makes up for years of imperfect AI-controlled blocking and feels great. So does using the Live Opponent feature to play franchise mode against another gamer instead of the CPU.

Madden 07 is an amazing, jaw-dropping game. But there are times when it feels like work-in-progress.

Another solid year of football gaming with enough lasting appeal to get you by ‘til next season’s opener.

If you're moving from the PS2 to the PS3, you'll most likely be impressed by the title, but if you happen to own the 360 version, there's not really anything included here that would make you want to purchase this title again.

The Lead Blocking adds an all new dimension to the game, the Superstar mode lets you live the life of a NFL player, and the countless number of options and features add up to hours upon hours of enjoyment.

With the next-gen engine already on its second iteration, and the extra time to polish up this year's version since the kickoff of the season, it's hard to swallow that Madden NFL 07 on the PS3 can't even live up to the standard it sets on Xbox 360. [Jan. 2007, p.71]

A lot like the Xbox 360 version of the same name, with some minor Sixaxis functionality added in.

The major new addition - greater control of offensive blocking - offers a reliable alternative to players tired of throwing the ball. [Issue 148, p.84]

This mess somehow gets worse with every play...It's like buying a Ferrari only for it to fall to pieces as you drive out of the dealership. [May 2007, p.118]

It all adds up to a strong, promising rookie effort, but it sucks that the $20 cheaper current-gen version still has the overall edge on the depth chart. [Jan. 2007, p.79]

It's completely average. As a next-generation title, its visuals leave a lot to be desired. And when you're not peeved at how boring it looks, you'll be peeved at how dull it sounds.

Although the non-graphical improvements may not be as dramatic as some migiht have hoped for, they all help to make this easily the best Madden title yet. [May 2007, p.68]