Customer Reviews

Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Madden 2009 could be the perfect game, but sadly it is still plagued by issues that've existed for the better part of a decade.

I have to begin by admitting that EA has done an admirable job with the overall gameplay and franchise mode despite the flaws. The commentary however stinks. Cris Collinsworth is terribly annoying and Tom Hammond is droll at best. I never thought I would desperately miss John Madden's syllogisms this badly.

As for the gameplay itself, running the ball is still too difficult with halfbacks and too easy with quarterbacks. Receivers can run way out of bounds and return to make the catch, with no penalty being called or issues. You can constantly convert on 4th down, literally 99% of the time if it's within 2-3 yds. Offensive Linemen frequently give up on blocks. Quarterbacks constantly fumble on QB sneaks. There is no long distance passing game either, no matter who your QB or WR is. TE's are still too good. The receiver spotlight feature almost never works. The CPU never seems to miss a field goal. Kicks are almost never blocked, I've only seen one in over 40 games. The volume of problems such as these turns what would be an easy 98 overall rating into a 75 or 80.

The new "fairness feature" is also very controversial. It essential puts a beginner with the Falcons on even footing with an expert player using the all-time 72 Dolphins. The expert player's teammates will randomly fumble, drop passes etc to compensate for the beginner's lack of skill. This is personally offensive to me and robs skilled players of a true advantage. The idea was obviously designed to get more beginners to purchase the game, marketing at its worst.

Franchise mode is apparently unchanged from 2008, but is still excellent. The graphics are good, but not revolutionary. Manual juking and catching is well done. The lead blocking option is also very functional and pretty easy to use. Special Teams are well handled but it's impossible to return kicks for touchdowns. One glaring issue is that kick power is diluted. Kickers with 99 kick power will often come up short on 50 yarders. Edit: I'm referring to ALL-MADDEN level of difficulty in this review.

Overall, this is a good game that falls short because of simple oversights. If enough patches are issued, it could become great.

Madden 09 is one of my favorite versions of Madden ever made. Plus you get.

Contains the full version of Madden NFL 09
Contains the full version of NFL Head Coach 09
Contains exclusive Bonus Content
Fully playable version of Madden NFL 93
Retro playbooks feature the best plays from every year of Madden NFL Football history

Love the game! Only one word to describe it...G-R-E-A-T! PS3 enhances it even more.
Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collectors Edition

I ordered this and received it really quickly. Game was in great condition. Will definately order from gohasting again!

Madden 09's game play was the issue I have found a tab bit disappointing and quite frustrating however, I thought NFL Head Coach 09 was pretty refreshing because it was the complete total opposite of it, which ended up being a good thing.

Madden 09

Pros

-Lots of new features
-Huge improvement with in-game commentators.
-Graphics are redefined.
-Player models have a sense of realism to their remarkable animations.
-Stadium shots captures the essence of a live NFL broad cast.
-Field turf reacts according to duration of play as well as weather
effects.
-Online league play.

Cons

-Most of the new features are not necessary and fans could do without.
-Plays more like that of an Arcade as to a simulation.
-No Refs or chain gain.
-Problems from previous titles still exists (Which are just too much to list.

NFL Head Coach 09

Pros

-Physics are on point.
-It tests football knowledge over those who are just masters of button
mashing.


Cons

-It lacks all the flash and hype compared to that of Madden.
-It Pertains to only a limited crowd/fan base (such as myself).So don't
expect to hop online and expect to see many users, if that if any.

Overall, I would recommend the collectors edition to only die hard fans or to those just wanting to experience both worlds of the same genre.

At first this new adaptation for the Madden series takes a little getting used to but once you get the hang of it, it is phenomenal! It definitly needs to be played on a hdtv for optimal enjoyment.(I got a 40" Sony Bravia just to enjoy the Ps3 to the fullest) The training/test sets you up to your own unique level of gameplay. Graphics are gorgeous. Everything is top notch. I have the collectors edition but have yet to do anything but play my franchise mode. I've been so caght up in it I cannot get to anything else. A great game anyway you slice it! And best of all was at the low price I got it from amazon, well below the average $ of the the regular version of this game.

This game is so much fun and the collectors editions looks so great, you want to keep it in the box.

I am a Madden fan at heart and have been since day 1 even when 2k was still in the picture. I waited to give my review so that i could experience every aspect of the game at least once. Although i still long for the days of PS2 type madden gameplay, i must say madden is coming around to producing more realistic football. The days of run and gun are gone and those who dont believe need to play me so you can be shown. I was that type of player and now i am a more drop back and throw type player. My cons for this game are two big ones: Too many interceptions and i say this because back in previous years you could time cuts to where you throw the ball as they cut and the quarterback would throw where they were going and not where they were - which leads to the receiver running his route and the defender waiting for the ball that is flying right at him for a pick. In todays madden, you have to wait until they, the receivers, are running through their cut to throw and maybe not get intercepted. The other con is that the receivers use the spin catch way too much to make catches especially open field catches. Why cant they let the ball drop into their hands over their heads or just face the ball, catch, and run. This form of catch needs to be re-done or done with. Other than that the graphics look great as always and online play is fun as ever with all the features even though it is a bit glitchy!!!

madden 2009.... if you want a great football sim for the off season with updated rosters and all that good stuff this is for you. while the collectors edition does in fact come with head coach 09 for free, it real isnt all that fun if you arent into the micro management of your team/ league. i thoroughly enjoyed this game for about a aweek before i got frustrated with the simple AI, even with the Madden IQ almost maxed out the game feels too easy and adjusts rather quickly during gameplay. the graphics look great on both SD and HD sets, and are vastly inproved over last years installation, hey when you can recognize the face of the player during the game theres a note to be taken, and a roung of applause for ea on this one. online, for me anyway, was pretty timid and easygoing, as much as i would like to play tournament style that is not there, maybe in a patch. there is no definitive lag either during play, although many games i have played online have either been dropped within the first quarter, or the other players quit/bad connection. also waiting for someone with the same madden IQ can be bothersome for those who are impatient. all in all it is a good game with greatly improved graphics, some new twists in gameplay, and micromanagement galore. good luck and keep your eyes fixed on that Super Bowl Trophy...its a pain gettin there but rewarding once won.

Madden 09 is a good game. Football fans will love it and new players will enjoy the adaptive difficulty. However, it will not get 5 stars because of the lack of gameplay enhancements. Its an improvement over Madden 08 but just not enough.The franchise needs an overhaul. Overall madden 09 has its share of good gameplay moments and the addition of online leagues that will keep you playing it till next season.