Sports leagues around the world are no stranger to annual video game releases, both for better and for worse. One of the most popular is the National Football League’s Madden NFL series from EA Sports. Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach and broadcaster John Madden, the Madden NFL series is about to release its first entry since Madden’s passing in December 2021. Madden NFL 23 will honor Madden by showing him for the first time since the cover star Madden NFL 2000.
Madden NFL 23 hopes to mark a return for a series that has been awash with controversy and unpopular entries in recent years. But like fans of a franchise that hasn’t won a Super Bowl in decades, it’s easy to hark back to the glory days of the Madden NFL franchise and hope next season will be different.
Not everything Madden NFL games have a Metacritic score; the scores listed come from the system with the most ratings.
Madden NFL 09 was released in time for the 2008-09 season, which the Pittsburgh Steelers won in Super Bowl XLIII. Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre was the cover athlete initially intended to celebrate his retirement. But a week before Madden NFL 09s release, Favre did not retire and joined the New York Jets, prompting EA Sports to provide printable covers of Favre in his new uniform.
Updates from Madden NFL 08 were minimal. The most notable difference from the removal of the quarterback passing cone, which debuted in Madden NFL 06and a new commentary team from Tom Hammond and Chris Collinsworth on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. Madden NFL 16 also received an 83 Metacritic score for the PlayStation 4.
Madden NFL 11 was released in time for the 2010-11 season, which the Green Bay Packers won in Super Bowl XLV. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was the cover athlete after leading the Saints to their first Super Bowl championship last season.
Madden NFL 11 was the first Madden NFL game to include the “Madden Ultimate Team” mode, where players can collect digital cards and build their teams by completing challenges and/or buying currency to buy them through a loot box system. MUT and similar modes have become more and more popular in all sports games.
Madden NFL 10 was released in time for the 2009-10 season, which the New Orleans Saints won in Super Bowl XLIV. Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald were the cover athletes as both participated in Super Bowl XLIII the previous season.
the most of Madden NFL 10s features were centered around the rating system. In addition, EA Sports wanted to more accurately reflect how players play and their talent levels. Other additions to improve realism include an updated injury system and the ability for players to influence an awkward ball pile to gain control of the ball.
Madden NFL 08 was released in time for the 2007-08 season, which the New York Giants won in Super Bowl XLII. Tennesee Titans quarterback Vince Young was the cover athlete after winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award last season.
Madden NFL 08 mainly tried to improve animations like the Madden NFL series was now on its third game in the seventh generation. The online season mode returned in Madden NFL 08, while Madden NFL 2005s “Hit Stick” has been upgraded. A fatigue system has also been implemented where players are affected by how much they play or the weather.
Madden NFL 06 was released in time for the 2005-06 season, which the Pittsburgh Steelers won in Super Bowl XL. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was the cover athlete.
Madden NFL 06 was a launch title for the Xbox 360 and introduced the controversial Vision Control, passing cone mechanic. The passing cone depicted a quarterback’s field of view so that players can control what a quarterback is looking at. Quarterbacks are more accurate if they throw at a receiver within that line of sight. Madden NFL 06 also introduced the Superstar mode, where a player can play the career of a single, created player.
Madden NFL 2005 was released in time for the 2004-05 season, which the New England Patriots won in Super Bowl XXXIX. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was the cover athlete. This was the last Madden NFL direct competition, as EA Sports would obtain the exclusive rights to make NFL video games.
Madden NFL 2005 introduced the Hit Stick mechanics, which allow players to dictate how they tackle with the correct analog stick, often leading to explosive tackles. The term “Hit Stick” is still used to describe tackles with highlights, whether in the NFL or otherwise. The offensive version of the Truck Stick was introduced in Madden NFL 06.
Madden NFL 2001 was released in time for the 2000-01 season, which the Baltimore Ravens won in Super Bowl XXXV. Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George was the cover athlete, making him the first true cover athlete in the Madden NFL series.
Madden NFL 2001 offered players plenty of customizable features, such as the ability to create a player or a play. Madden NFL 2001 was the first Madden NFL game to feature Franchise mode, giving players greater control over a franchise beyond the game on the field.
Madden NFL 2004 was released in time for the 2003-04 season, which the New England Patriots won in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was the cover athlete.
Madden NFL 2004 may be known for its cover athlete, Michael Vick, whose quick play on the field in Madden NFL 2004 was considered overpowered, similar to Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl. Madden NFL 2004 expanded franchise mode by including ownership options such as setting the price of food at games.
Madden NFL 2002 was released in time for the 2001-02 season, which the New England Patriots won in Super Bowl XXXVI. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper was the cover athlete.
Madden NFL 2002 was more about refinements than introducing new features. However, Madden Classic mode did a good job of mimicking old-school, 16-bit Madden NFL spell. This was also the first Madden NFL game to include quarterback Tom Brady by name. After his surprise Super Bowl run, Brady had to be added to later releases of the game. Brady had an overall rating of 51.
Madden NFL 2003 was released in time for the 2002-03 season, which the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won in Super Bowl XXXVII. St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk was the cover athlete. Madden NFL 23 marks 20 years ago Madden NFL 2003s release.
Madden NFL 2003 is best remembered as the first Madden NFL game with a licensed soundtrack featuring artists such as Nappy Roots, Andrew WK, Bon Jovi and Good Charlotte. Additionally, Madden NFL 2003 was the first Madden NFL game to play entirely online, exclusive to the PS2 and the Houston Texans franchise expansion, entering their first season.
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