Madden NFL 08

The definitive football game to buy this season.

For football fans it simply cannot be missed. There are really no glaring faults at all. One would be hard-pressed to improve upon the graphics, controls, sounds, modes of play, varied content, and online play.

This is the Madden that hardcore footballers have been waiting for. The rest of us should be sure to tone down the difficulty.

Minus a few hitches here and there with presentation, commentary, and no online leagues, this may be one of the best Madden titles in recent memory, and easily the best on next gen platforms.

After two disappointing efforts the last two seasons -- disappointing by the high standard that EA's football franchise set for itself over the years -- Madden NFL 08 redeems the franchise as one of the best-playing football games in recent memory.

You'll find a much smarter brand of football in 08: Quarterbacks now scramble when no one is open, wideouts continue to make blocks 30 yards downfield, and defensive backs rarely fall for the deep ball. Some might even say that pass defense is a tad too stingy this season.

While Madden NFL 08 certainly isn’t perfect, it’s damn near close. The on-field action is stellar, thanks largely to a buttery smooth framerate and one of the best animation systems seen in a sports game to date. You’ll stay busy with the Franchise and Superstar mode for a good deal of time, and the impeccable online netcode will ensure that you’ll have an excellent experience on Xbox Live.

Madden NFL 08 is easily the most realistic 3D football game ever made. And quite honestly, one of the most complex games you'll ever play. There are so many intricacies to separate the men from the boys, and as a head-to-head sports experience, it's hard to beat.

While it has been difficult to wholeheartedly recommend a Madden football game for a few years, Madden NFL 08 is a significant improvement over the series' past, and has refined the formula in such a way that it actually brings something new to the game.

A great edition to the Madden series. This is definitely the year to buy if you haven't in a while. Keep in mind if you have to choose, the 360 version is the one to get.

A whopper of an NFL game to play this season, with more good stuff to experience than most of us will ever get to.

In the end, Madden 08 is probably the most realistic feeling football experience ever, for better or for worse.

It won’t convert Madden non-believers, but everyone else take note: the best next-generation Madden has arrived.

Competition has brought out the best in the Madden franchise with Madden NFL 08, an all-around excellent football game that more than atones for its somewhat uneven Xbox 360 showing in Madden NFL 07.

Madden NFL 08 is not a perfect game, but it's damn close.

In the end, though, even with these complaints, Madden 08 still manages to deliver on a level the franchise hasn't seen in years, maybe ever, thanks to its amazing gameplay.

Now that the next-gen is officially something in the present, it’s safe to say that Madden NFL 08 is the first great Madden game to come out since Madden NFL 2005.

Those realistic touches finally makes this the game we knew next-gen Madden could be, burying all memories of target-video snafus. [Oct 2007, p.90]

A great game. It's certainly the best Madden since the 2005 edition and a worthy offering for the new generation of gaming. The new animation system is outstanding and the game itself plays wonderfully. Madden succeeds where it matters most: The gameplay.

It took three tries, but EA finally gave us a solid NFL game for next gen consoles. The fact that our Madden is better than the other guy’s is just icing on the cake.

Luckily, the gameplay stays true to its roots, favoring fast paced action over realistic football. As a result, those who have been Madden fans in the past should definitely grab this one, and those who have not enjoyed past titles should hold out against the marketing tidal wave.

It is nice to finally have nearly all of the features back and playing them on the Xbox 360. All of the new features and additions make this a game that will be played for hours on end.

Madden NFL 08 is a significant step forward for the series, bringing to the table features that are legitimately game-changing.

Pound for pound, this is the Madden you've been waiting three years to play. [Oct 2007, p.80]

Pigskin fans aren't going to go wrong with this purchase. This is the best football game on the market and this year it's not just because of the NFL license.

Madden NFL 08 has many things going for it and it certainly will provide you with some enjoyable videogame football action. However, you'll still be stuck with the feeling that it's still not quite a complete package.

We've actually been waiting for this game for years, ever since people started coining the term, "next-gen." Thankfully, that time has finally come.

Rich sim blessed with amazing graphics and animation. Just what we expect. [Nov 2007, p.80]

The good news is that this old friend seems to be trying to change for the better, at least on the 360 (and almost assuredly on the PS3...eventually) and that’s great.

Overall, Madden 08 is an impressive football game on the Xbox 360 and it serves as a step in the right direction for the franchise.

There is undoubtedly work still left to be done before the series can match the glories of the past, but this is a noticeably better game the moment you pick up the controller.

The most realistic football experience on consoles. It also happens to be the most challenging Madden since as far back as I can remember.

Its enhanced framerate, more responsive controls and extra gameplay modes mean it's the most complete gridiron experience on the console. It's just...didn't we play this last year? [Oct 2007, p.94]

The Xbox 360 has had three years to mature and grow with Madden, and we are really ready to be wowed and Madden 08 does a good job of it, but I still think fans want more.

A clear improvement over last year's effort. [Issue#24, p.83]

Not only the best NFL game yet on a next-generation platform, but also one that could even rival the best in the series. [Oct 2007, p.122]

Madden NFL 08 is a step in the right direction for Madden on the HD consoles. While it's still quite a good game, a few more steps are needed.

The new Weapons system is a fun addition, and actually manages to make the game a bit friendlier to new players. The gameplay itself is solid, but the overall presentation is still lacking. Here’s hoping to a more robust online mode and a better use of the ESPN license in the 09 iteration.

Madden 08 stands by itself as a respectable, rewarding sim, but judged in the context of last season, it's merely a mild, expensive improvement.

From the completely lackluster presentation to the utterly uninteresting modes, Madden NFL 08 is a great game for a very short time.

It tries so hard to be all things to all people but for me it tries to walk before it can run. Oh well, no invite for me next year then!

A game that while still fun, is nowhere near the level that it should be. A game this popular and that is this much of a money making machine should not have some of the problems that crop up every single year.

Maybe next year will bring us that much closer to having a Madden game like never before. It’s still a good game, slightly above average, but not as great as it should be.