Madden NFL 09

 Xbox 360
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
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  1. X-ONE Magazine UK
    70
    In truth, we’re in distraction territory – beyond (admittedly quite a few) graphical changes, its only substantial addition will feel to football veterans like throw-in training might feel to, er, football veterans.
  2. Worth Playing
    70
    For every new mechanic implemented, there is something else botched just enough to render the neat new aspect moot.
  3. Destructoid
    70
    I wanted this game to be exceedingly different, and I don’t believe I got that. It’s still much the same, even if the grass looks greener this time around.
  5. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    70
    Individually this game should be superb and if you’ve never played a previous version this should be your first point of call. However, taken as part of a continuous series, this is a fairly pointless offering as it offers very little in terms of innovation.
  6. Eurogamer
    70
    Like most EA Sports releases, Madden 09 is a good re-entry point for anyone who's skipped a few years, but less than essential for anyone who picked up last year's edition. The changes may be numerous, but few feel essential and you're always aware that many of them will be back next year, in a further refined form.
  7. GameShark
    67
    What you are left with is a great 2-player game, a lot of features that the well established fan base most likely won’t care about (even though Backtrack and Rewind are both pretty good ideas), a half-baked online league system, and gameplay that is at times highly polished and entertaining yet also plagued by AI issues.
  8. Game Revolution
    58
    For years Madden has been improving visually and adding features, but to what end? What you're left with every year is a game with a split personality: An awesome football game that's great to play with your friends or even online, but makes you want to smash your machine if you ever play against the computer.

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
42
#42 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 133 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 133
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 133
  3. Negative: 39 out of 133
  1. GibranYG
    May 2, 2021
    0
    This game BLOWS. Madden 08 was better honestly. It's just not worth piking up...Madden 08 is!
  2. upinyocribdawg6
    Feb 24, 2021
    0
    If you like Madden 09 you're a **** disgrace. It's everything the absolute masterpiece Madden 08 did but infinitely inferior.
  3. LukeWarnut
    Dec 23, 2018
    0
    DO NOT BUY MADDEN 09!!! I would much rather you play any game from the Madden 08 series. Some say the Xbox 360 version is the best, but anyDO NOT BUY MADDEN 09!!! I would much rather you play any game from the Madden 08 series. Some say the Xbox 360 version is the best, but any version will Madden your 08.… Full Review »
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