Madden NFL 12

 Xbox 360
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 104
  3. Negative: 26 out of 104
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  1. tfumbles218
    Aug 30, 2011
    10
    Madden NFL 12 is excellent this year! You can really see the improvements EA has made from last year's game. Game play has improved giving a real feel. When you tackle, it looks more realistic and they players will fall when they are hit, not before. I also really like the addition of online communities. I can play my friends, have ranked games, and we can have our own leaderboardMadden NFL 12 is excellent this year! You can really see the improvements EA has made from last year's game. Game play has improved giving a real feel. When you tackle, it looks more realistic and they players will fall when they are hit, not before. I also really like the addition of online communities. I can play my friends, have ranked games, and we can have our own leaderboard instead of getting lost in the overall leaderboard. Nice job fellas!… Expand
  2. PhillyEagles6
    Aug 30, 2011
    10
    Not only the best feeling, but best looking Madden in years. Everything you see on Sunday is in the game (even the green stickers on the QB and D players who have mics in their helmets!!!!!!!!!!). The defense AI has gotten alot better and throwing through a zone is not a gimme every time. I really only play online ranked matches so the other crap people complain about dynasty does notNot only the best feeling, but best looking Madden in years. Everything you see on Sunday is in the game (even the green stickers on the QB and D players who have mics in their helmets!!!!!!!!!!). The defense AI has gotten alot better and throwing through a zone is not a gimme every time. I really only play online ranked matches so the other crap people complain about dynasty does not bother me at all. I have yet to dabble in it, but the custom play books will help many players.....also if you play online don't be a toolbag and go for it on every fourth down, after all madden is intended to be a sim..not blitz.… Expand
  3. drnerd
    Aug 31, 2011
    10
    While there wasn't much to improve on after M11 perfected the game engine, Madden NFL 12 still manages to create a fun game. A must have for a Madden fan!
  4. WorkadayMonk
    Sep 6, 2011
    10
    I'm willing to give the game a perfect 10 this year for the simple fact that I actually enjoy playing against the CPU. I think the developers really poured their hearts into the game this year and I believe this is the best Madden to come out since Madden 2005 (or whichever year the hit stick was first introduced). EA has tried a variety of innovations - some failed such as QB visionI'm willing to give the game a perfect 10 this year for the simple fact that I actually enjoy playing against the CPU. I think the developers really poured their hearts into the game this year and I believe this is the best Madden to come out since Madden 2005 (or whichever year the hit stick was first introduced). EA has tried a variety of innovations - some failed such as QB vision cone, but hit stick and touch passing make for a really enjoyable and realistic game in my opinion. I've been playing since 1993, an old guy that still gets 50-80 games in per year at 9 min quarters. This year, I expect that to double - and that's worth $60. Sure, I'm pissed that Madden sucked on the Xbox 360 for all but last year. I didn't buy it on 06-08 for that reason. But this year, they nailed it. Find some slider suggestions online and then tailor the gameplay based on whatever you need to produce realistic stats and end of game. One little example many of the critics don't mention is the ability to save 10 highlights per game. This allows you to preserve memorable highlights - save based on greatness score, or just compile an assortment of your best hit stick KO jobs. The ability to user pick is back and feels just right. Seriously, I wonder how so many of the negative (read, under 80 reviews) can be so quick to dismiss a great game. I don't work for EA - wish I did though. Have you seen their campus? Sick. Yeah, so Madden sucked for many years but that shouldn't mean a reviewer should be biased this year. It took hella long for them to do it right, but (aside from sh*t commentary at times), the game is pretty friggin awesome!! Not 100% perfect, but at least 9.6 in my mind. Thank you EA team for not sucking this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  5. STEVE21
    Nov 16, 2011
    8
    I haven't played Madden since Madden10, and I will just start by saying the gameplay has improved and it feels more realistic than ever. I particularly like that the default camera angle is much closer which makes the action more compelling. The AI is also vastly improved, which for me is why I play Madden. The player is forced to be more strategic. However, the menus are slow and poorlyI haven't played Madden since Madden10, and I will just start by saying the gameplay has improved and it feels more realistic than ever. I particularly like that the default camera angle is much closer which makes the action more compelling. The AI is also vastly improved, which for me is why I play Madden. The player is forced to be more strategic. However, the menus are slow and poorly executed and the commentary is atrocious. Bottomline: Gameplay is awesome, presentation sucks.… Expand
  6. Wilsonasaraus
    Jul 27, 2012
    9
    Well, considering that I got this game for $9.99 at Best Buy, I say this is a good buy. First of all, this is coming from someone who does not watch football or play the games. The last football game I played was NFL Blitz on the N64. So with that out of the way, this game is pretty good. I really can't comment on the rosters or if they got the players looking like they should. However, IWell, considering that I got this game for $9.99 at Best Buy, I say this is a good buy. First of all, this is coming from someone who does not watch football or play the games. The last football game I played was NFL Blitz on the N64. So with that out of the way, this game is pretty good. I really can't comment on the rosters or if they got the players looking like they should. However, I can say that the graphics are really good. The stadiums look pretty good and everything has a good amount of detail. And the 3D grass is a nice touch. On to the gameplay. The controls took me a while to get used to but once I got the hang of things, I had fun. There is also a good amount of game modes. You can make a player and take through his pro years, manage a team in Franchise Mode, or if you prefer cards, you have the Ultimate Team mode. On the negative side, the commentary seems to repeat quite a bit. And the load times are pretty bad. Total, it took me about 2-3 minutes to just get past the Press Start Screen. Lastly, the achievements. None of them are too challenging. If you change most of the settings, you could get most of them in a single 15 minute quarter game. Overall, I do not regret spending the $9.99.… Expand
  7. emrodgers98
    Apr 16, 2013
    9
    I actually really enjoyed this game and I don't understand why Madden and NCAA Football are constantly being bashed by just about everyone. Sure, they don't improve it much each year, but that's why if you know this you don't buy it every year. I'm probably not even gonna bother buying Madden until next-gen, but unless you are really hardcore about getting games played before they happenI actually really enjoyed this game and I don't understand why Madden and NCAA Football are constantly being bashed by just about everyone. Sure, they don't improve it much each year, but that's why if you know this you don't buy it every year. I'm probably not even gonna bother buying Madden until next-gen, but unless you are really hardcore about getting games played before they happen in real life then being a little outdated on schedules and roster shouldn't bother you (It really doesn't bother me, though I do occasionally glare at Greg Jennings like wathcu doin here? as I am a Packers fan lol). So if you don't like the fact that they don't updated, don't buy it. A: They will be forced to improve it more due to lack of sales, and B: You will save money. And just saying if this were the first Madden game you ever played you would be awestruck by its' awesomeness and wouldn't be so picky.… Expand
  8. Jamison12
    Jun 25, 2013
    8
    Is it worth 50+ bucks? Probably not, but it's still a very fun game, and the one of the best football games to date. However, EA Sports doesn't seem to know that not everyone has a load of money to spend on DLC's
  9. breakbacon
    Jun 14, 2015
    10
    This is a great iteration of a fantastic series. It is so much more than a stats upgrade, new game play mechanics are introduced that radically improve player experience.
  10. TylerMitch
    Oct 2, 2019
    9
    This game is one of the very best football games and it deserves more credit then it gets. The franchise mode is better than all of the others in the series and it doesn't feel clunky and a smooth frame rate gives us a nice overall package for all football fans to look back on and enjoy. But gonna deduct points for a lack of gardner minshew.
  11. blitzyPerry
    May 24, 2021
    10
    It is the best madden since madden 08 and easily 2nd or 3rd best madden football game of all time in my opinion. I have great memories with this game and every other madden game snice hasn't lived up to this game.

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
44
#44 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
  1. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    Dec 2, 2011
    84
    Shows diminishing returns for the solo gamer. [Dec 2011, p.102]
  2. Xbox Achievements
    Nov 15, 2011
    78
    A fun game with very few major flaws, but by the same token it brings absolutely nothing new to the table other than the welcome online community option and enhanced player traits and consistency. That aside you will be playing the same old Madden and on that front, Madden NFL 12 just doesn't do enough to hold your interest for very long.
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  3. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Oct 20, 2011
    80
    That's some good footballing sir. [Nov 2011, p.110]
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