Madden NFL 06

 Xbox 360
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 48
  3. Negative: 2 out of 48
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  1. GameShark
    42
    The onfield action is enjoyable but it’s tough to recommend when the game is not realistic in the least and so many options are removed from other console versions of the game.
  2. 3DAvenue
    40
    At the casual level you're more likely to be wowed by the visuals and less likely to notice the omissions and gaffes; still, it's hard to overlook the fact that the older Madden games for the Xbox/PS2 actually offer more than this supposedly "next generation" title.

Awards & Rankings

22
#22 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2005
11
#11 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2005
13
#13 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
4.9

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 55
  3. Negative: 28 out of 55
  1. DisneyLover1
    Apr 27, 2021
    3
    The 6th Gen Version is fantastic but this next gen of Madden 06 is filled with full of false advertising & filled with Bugs & Glitches (atThe 6th Gen Version is fantastic but this next gen of Madden 06 is filled with full of false advertising & filled with Bugs & Glitches (at least it's not as buggy as Madden 19-21). The next-gen version starts to get rid of amazing features like owner mode.

    The 6th Gen version is fantastic but this version is disappointing.    … Full Review »
  2. BigBoy11
    Jul 18, 2020
    0
    It is a good thing that this is still the worse madden of all time, but Madden 19 was pretty close. This is strictly the 360 version it was awful
  3. Serotam
    Jan 18, 2017
    2
    The Madden Franchise is arguably the most critiqued sports video game franchise in the industry of sports video gaming considering it's longThe Madden Franchise is arguably the most critiqued sports video game franchise in the industry of sports video gaming considering it's long reputation as the benchmark in comparison to nearly all it's competitors, but sadly, this game is clearly the most obvious fail that has ever hit the market from EA sports or even all of football for console gaming. The true, honest reviews for this game were just as ugly as the graphics were impressive. Quite frankly, EA sports clearly put so much focus into the visual appeal and sound to the game that it lacked even the most basic fundamentals of virtual football that Madden fans have trusted over the many years and been so accustomed to.

    The game-play of this game is clearly what was most rushed and served as the biggest upset of the game or maybe even the franchise as a whole even without comparison to it's much more positive predecessors . Experienced madden gamers shouldn't have any trouble picking up with this years game with the exception of the all new vision cone that allows players to utilize precision passing within their quarterback's unique field of vision. Most, if not all the controls are just the same as last generation's madden games with the exception of a few minor tweaks to not only the aforementioned passing refinement, but also a change in the speed burst as well. On the offensive side of things, the game isn't quite as bad as it's defensive counterpart, considering that it's solely a matter of responsiveness of the controls that enable your player to evade defenders and gain extra yards to make the big play or simply run past the markers for the first down. This serves as quite the setback for any loyal madden fan who has praised the game for what is most important to any video game really, how the game FEELS. Unfortunately, the passing game wasn't so in tact with the flow of things either. Other gamers have pointed out that even the most untrained, inexperienced gamers who hardly know didly squat about reading defenses can throw bombs all game long to even the most mediocre receivers and make big plays to score touchdowns or at least march down the field in less than a hand full of plays.

    What's even worse about the game is rather the DEFENSIVE side of the ball. The gameplay of this version of Madden 06 is so incomplete, gamers could hardly ever make user tackles! (That's awful.) Defenders would laughably flail around with their arms stretched only to wind up flat on their chest and watch the running back or receiver march ALL THE WAY down the field and score the easy touchdown. This in turn is a shameful attempt at emulating the flow of play-by-play football, and this setback is that much more disappointing given Madden's high reputation. These two setbacks serve as the most unrealistic game-play experience of the sport of football yet, and, sadly enough, this game was one of a few launch titles for the new Microsoft Xbox 360 console trying to set a good impression for this brand new generation of madden gaming.

    The most positive changes made to the Xbox 360's version of Madden 06 were geared to the visual aspect of the game, making the player models and the menus of the game seem somewhat more lifelike and easily accessible, respectively. Players now look more real and as close to their real life counterpart than ever before in some regards, and, given that EA sports has finally put some of the real quarterback cadences into the game at the line of scrimmage as well as real life chatter of other players in between plays, it finally sounds like you're actually there on the field with the players. This gives the game a much more different appeal, something the rivaling brand of 2k sports had brought to the table back in 2003 by introducing first person football. Madden may not have this feature exactly, but hearing real life voices of some NFL players in the game is a nice touch to the auditory side of things, but given how horrendously disappointing the game-play feels to even the less familiar gamers out there, this kind of enjoyment doesn't really last all that long.

    Players now have new menus to scroll while selecting plays. Plays are now organized not only by formation, but also play type. Shotgun pass, inside hand-off and fullback run are some examples as to how specific this is for the gamer which is helpful when playing against the computer at least. These minor improvements still don't make up for how incredibly lame the gameplay feels though, and that is arguably the most important part of any sports game period.

    In summary, Madden 06 for Xbox 360 was a small step forward regarding graphics, sound and the play-calling system but tremendously fails with the game-play aspect. EA sports' slogan is, “it's in the game”, but the game itself is not nearly proper enough to truly deserve your $60. EA sports definitely rushed this one and hoped it's loyal fans would trust everything was in tact when, truth be told, it wasn't.    … Full Review »
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