Madden NFL 09

 Xbox 360
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
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  1. AlecS.
    Aug 13, 2008
    6
    God awful AI makes this year's Madden unplayable at single player, but it does look really pretty.
  2. FrankK
    Jul 29, 2008
    5
    How can you rate it when there's nothing to compare it to? You just accept what EA has to offer this year.
  3. Jason
    Sep 12, 2008
    6
    I only buy the Madden games every other year, since I don't think they change enough from one year to the next to warrant purchase each year. But this year, with Madden 09, I was severely disappointed. A lot of the "improvements" EA was boasting about ended up either being disappointing or frustrating. Running in the game is a lot harder (which can be good for people who like that I only buy the Madden games every other year, since I don't think they change enough from one year to the next to warrant purchase each year. But this year, with Madden 09, I was severely disappointed. A lot of the "improvements" EA was boasting about ended up either being disappointing or frustrating. Running in the game is a lot harder (which can be good for people who like that extra challenge), the skill-building challenges in the game seemed to be "off" from Madden 07 (especially the weight-lifting drill), and the "Madden Test" which determines your skill is either ridiculously easy, or ridiculously hard. For example, the running drill has you run, but gives you the button you're supposed to press to break away (which makes anyone who is familiar with the 360 controller able to get All-Pro or All-Madden skill level, even though they're not really there...) and in some passing drills, you take the role of a linebacker in a limited range of motion (usually not beyond a couple yards from your starting position) and you have to rush the quarterback, who has a blocker and releases the ball within a couple of seconds anyway. I tried the Create-A-Superstar using both a quarterback and a running-back, and the quarterback was way more satisfying, especially since you can run for more yards as a scrambling QB than you can as a HB... But I miss the "genetics" of Madden 07 and don't like the "Type" configuration of the players either. And for the love of Pete, please get rid of the e-mails in the Create-A-Superstar mode... they're annoying and don't contribute anything to the game.… Expand
  4. WXT
    Aug 22, 2017
    6
    I'm Australian and hence not really into NFL. I tried this out just out of curiosity but didn't get it, for fans of the sport the score would be much higher and i would recommend it.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Official Xbox Magazine
    90
    We're happy to report that Madden NFL 09 represents the pinnacle of the modern Madden era. [Sept 2008, p.68]
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  2. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    89
    Parity's finally come to Madden multiplayer, though - the new difficulty-balancing feature works great, and it allows me to finally play competitive games against better players. [Sept 2008, p.80]
  3. GameDaily
    80
    Madden NFL 2009 stumbles, but manages to regain its composure long enough to stiff arm critics and dive into the endzone.
    Read full review
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