Madden NFL 09 All-Play

 Wii
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 28
  3. Negative: 6 out of 28
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  1. DarrenZ.
    Sep 2, 2008
    9
    Short and sweet, this is one great playing game. The Wii controls are executed very well and make you wonder why you ever thought it was fun to just push buttons. Flick the remote up to snap, swing it forward to pass, shake it to blow past a defender: it all adds up to a wonderfully immersive experience that'll have you jumping to your feet during big plays. And don't worry, the Short and sweet, this is one great playing game. The Wii controls are executed very well and make you wonder why you ever thought it was fun to just push buttons. Flick the remote up to snap, swing it forward to pass, shake it to blow past a defender: it all adds up to a wonderfully immersive experience that'll have you jumping to your feet during big plays. And don't worry, the gamplay isn't watered down. You still have all the strategic play calling depth you expect from a football sim. Then there's Call Your Shots which is an amazing feature that lets you reroute any receiver on a passing play and will have you shredding the defense in no time. There are a few niggling criticisms, like the lack of precipitation when it's raining or snowing (the only affect weather has is to slightly alter the color of the field) and the fact that Franchise and Superstar modes are identical to last year, but the game is otherwise solid with a noticeable absence of bugs and glitches. If you haven't bought Madden in a few years, or like me you've never owned it before, then 09 is easy to recommend. It's nice to see EA actually deliver on the Wii for a change.… Expand
  2. JohnT.
    Aug 13, 2008
    9
    Finally, EA has done it right. It isn't the BEST football game in the world, but it is SUPER fun, and plays like a breeze! If you are wery of this game because of the lackluster showing that was NCAA--don't be. Night and day, really. Which makes me sad because I prefer college to pro--but if you are any kind of football fan and have a Wii, you need to pick this up.
  3. OhshiA.
    Aug 22, 2008
    10
    A solid football game for the Wii, the dumbed-down controls make it easier to play than the next-gen versions.
  4. [Anonymous]
    Aug 12, 2008
    0
    The game would be good if not for the dumbed down controls. There are times when you are trying to throw to a receiver and the game confuses that receiver with another one in the near by vacinity. How in the world can a quarterback accidently throw to the wrong receiver just because he got confused about who he was throwing to?? EA needs a patch or I'm done with them. I have no idea The game would be good if not for the dumbed down controls. There are times when you are trying to throw to a receiver and the game confuses that receiver with another one in the near by vacinity. How in the world can a quarterback accidently throw to the wrong receiver just because he got confused about who he was throwing to?? EA needs a patch or I'm done with them. I have no idea why All Play is getting so many rave reviews considering the lack of intelligent play. It doesn't make sense.… Expand
  5. EdwardB.
    Aug 29, 2008
    9
    This is the best football game out there the all play contorls are good and the best mode in the game is the 5on5 monde but i don't know y they have more to do with the nigechuck and not the wii remot olwy you know
  6. BrianK
    Dec 21, 2008
    4
    The all-play version of Madden is probably more fun for casual gamers who are new to the series. However, as someone who is quite familiar with Madden, I was very dissapointed. The controls have completely changed from the previous versions. Before, for example, you could stiff arm by extending your arm. Now, you have to hold Z at the same time. It's that kind of needless difficulty The all-play version of Madden is probably more fun for casual gamers who are new to the series. However, as someone who is quite familiar with Madden, I was very dissapointed. The controls have completely changed from the previous versions. Before, for example, you could stiff arm by extending your arm. Now, you have to hold Z at the same time. It's that kind of needless difficulty that bothered me. Another problem was the graphics. The players look great, but the field and animations are worse than previous Wii games in the series. Furthermore, there are little things that bothered me, like seeing my quarterback lined up too far to the side of the center or accidentally calling a timeout (minus button) when all I wanted to do was get out of call-your-shot mode. Also, there were a few times when my player threw the ball without me actually making the corresponding movement with my arm. My last complaint would be the ridiculous dancing with the remote and numchuck that is required after a TD or INT. Now for the good features. The new 5 on 5 mode is a fun. Party mode games can be done alone (but it's better with friends) and it can be addictive. The most important thing is that some all-play settings can be turned off. Call-your-shot mode is good for those times when you just can't find the exact play you want in the playbook. Conclusion: All-play has basically none of the improvements that were made for Madden 09 on the other systems. Unfortunately, these were the improvements that seemed most appealing to me. Graphics and controls are worse than in previous years. Incorporation of Miis as refs is kinda cute, but doesn't help or hurt the game. I'd say that if you have some experience with video games or are familiar with the Madden franchise that this game isn't for you. However, if you've never played Madden more than once or twice and/or want something simple, this game is probably a good way to introduce yourself to the Madden franchise.… Expand
  7. PeterC.
    Aug 25, 2008
    3
    Was expecting better. The call-you-shot feature is by far the only highlight. Graphics are similar to N64 Madden editions. Play controls are marginal at best and most frustrating in passing mode where routes un-predictably break off depending on how you 'throw'; you'll throw INT after INT on any mode above Pro. Oh, the A.I. is terrible without a happy medium of balanced A.I Was expecting better. The call-you-shot feature is by far the only highlight. Graphics are similar to N64 Madden editions. Play controls are marginal at best and most frustrating in passing mode where routes un-predictably break off depending on how you 'throw'; you'll throw INT after INT on any mode above Pro. Oh, the A.I. is terrible without a happy medium of balanced A.I play. It's either a blow-out 16-0 season or a 4-12 season where you'll give up turn over after turn over calling a conservative game. So unbalanced and un-predictable I stopped playing and reverted back to my playstation sports games...now there are some fined tuned engines. Better luck next year EA, but I won't be buying again.… Expand
  8. SW
    Aug 25, 2008
    9
    EA has made many improvements on last years Madden for the Wii. Simply choose not to use the "All Play" feature and you will find your self a deep and well thought out game. [Anonymous] who scored the game 0, obviously has "All Play" activated which explains why the game doesnt make any sense to him. Without it, the game is great fun. With it, my wife can choose to use it and jump in EA has made many improvements on last years Madden for the Wii. Simply choose not to use the "All Play" feature and you will find your self a deep and well thought out game. [Anonymous] who scored the game 0, obviously has "All Play" activated which explains why the game doesnt make any sense to him. Without it, the game is great fun. With it, my wife can choose to use it and jump in totake a few snaps with me. Win - win.… Expand
  9. dariazzo
    Jun 17, 2011
    5
    Let's define who plays what. Football addicted play Madden. They don't care if it is on WII, PS3 or else. They want something close to reality. Now, imagine you played a whole season with your team, and after having achieved a 5-11 record, you look forward to the draft, and enter the combine to watch some of the prospects in action. To see how good they are, you must play some minigames,Let's define who plays what. Football addicted play Madden. They don't care if it is on WII, PS3 or else. They want something close to reality. Now, imagine you played a whole season with your team, and after having achieved a 5-11 record, you look forward to the draft, and enter the combine to watch some of the prospects in action. To see how good they are, you must play some minigames, like passing the ball with a QB, returning a ball with a RB/WR, or else. Some of these minigames (great idea) are completely messed up by the WiiMote use! You'll never be able to pick the right reciver, the right cornerback, the right guard. It is just not possible to come up with good results. And that obviously translates also in the career mode, when you play a single man. If it is a DB, you'll never get the hang of that, you'll always be thinking how to swat a ball!
    Another dreadful defect: presentation. It is not possible to have Miis as umpires, it kills any kind of atmosphere, and it is also a shame to have such small fonts in the screens, especially in Dinasty mode.
    Even if it uses motion controls, this version is for these reasons way behind the others for HD consoles. The graphics is good, sounds too, and some aspects of the game are too (Runs, passes), but will NFL maniacs close an eye on too many flaws?    … Expand
  10. Jonnyblond77
    Dec 12, 2019
    9
    I absolutely love this game. The EA All-Play series are truly wicked awesome. Sure they made it easier and more accessible to people who love sports but don’t want to be bothered with the depth of gameplay almost as deep as something like a capcom fighting game or two many things to just make one play or defend. Sure I own the most recent madden and it’s also really a great game. But II absolutely love this game. The EA All-Play series are truly wicked awesome. Sure they made it easier and more accessible to people who love sports but don’t want to be bothered with the depth of gameplay almost as deep as something like a capcom fighting game or two many things to just make one play or defend. Sure I own the most recent madden and it’s also really a great game. But I have friends who are casual and don’t play a lot of video games as much as someone hardcore so if it’s a night of drinking or a get together...pull out an all-play title and watch the fireworks explode. Everyone will be having a great time and not complaining like you have some advantage of owning the game and know some secrets. Sure you can play without the all-play controls but I find it’s just to much fun. Most times I play the 5vs5 mode and it’s just basically arcade football but is it ever fast paced and a good laugh. If your looking for a more easier going but fast paced arcade football experience that anyone can learn fast. Pick this one up. I know this came out in 2009 and it’s almost 2020 now but that makes it even better as it’s pretty much timeless and awesome.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

20
#20 Best Wii Game of 2008
45
#45 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2008
70
#70 Most Shared Wii Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Nintendo Power
    90
    So while EA may not have lived up to its marketing directive, it's succeeded in creating quite possibly the best, most fully featured sports sim available on the Wii. [Sept 2008, p.85]
  2. IGN
    86
    EA is showing a serious investment on Wii, and Madden NFL 09 All-Play truly delivers. Whether you're a gaming rookie or seasoned veteran, there's something here for everyone, and that's what All-Play is all about.
    Read full review
  3. GameDaily
    80
    It comes up short in certain areas when compared to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, but that doesn't stop it from being the best Wii football game.
    Read full review
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