Madden NFL 07

by Electronic Arts

Product Features

• For the first time ever, control the lead blocker on running plays
• Throw the perfect block to create a running lane, then take control of the tailback and rip off the big gain
• Play your way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame by taking complete control of any position on the field
• In NFL Superstar - Hall of Fame Mode, your actions on and off the field determine your impact on the game
• Use the all-new Highlight Stick to evade defenders with new jukes, cutbacks, and power moves

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000JHH872
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches ; 1 pounds
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 21, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,365 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #9 in Video Games > Wii > Sports > Football
  • #66 in Sports & Outdoors > Fan Shop > Video Games & Accessories

Product Description

Amazon.com

The groundbreaking franchise that revolutionized sports gaming is about to redefine the way you experience the NFL- again. Madden NFL 07 for the Nintendo Wii unveils all-new motion-based control schemes that put the complete command of your players at your fingertips like never before. Use the Wii's innovative controls to unleash a devastating rushing attack by opening holes as the lead blocker, and then switch to the tailback to smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers. Mind-blowing jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct styles of your favorite NFL backs provide an unstoppable arsenal of moves. Madden NFL 07 is football like you've never played it. Get under center and drive for the goal line. Tear up the field like never before with the Wii-exclusive FreeMotion controls that put players in command.

Madden 07 for the Wii offers players an entirely new way to control the gridiron action.

Use the Wii Remote to control precise player movements. View larger.

Switch to a lead blocker before pounding your running back through the line. View larger.

Control cutbacks and dekes while the defense is forced to watch you run for the goal line. View larger.

Madden 07 features real NFL players, teams, stadiums and moves. View larger.

Immersive controls: a Wii exclusive
The game may be the same brand of excellent Madden NFL football you're used to, but the playing field is very different.

With the new FreeMotion controls, Madden NFL 07 successfully incorporates the flick of the wrist in addition to the push of a button. Now to pass the ball, players flick the controller forward. The faster the flick, the faster the pass. Slow flicks generate a long pass to give the receiver time to get under the ball. Jukes are now controlled by moving the Nunchuk controller left or right. Gamers generate a stiff are by moving the Wii Remote controller right or left.

Those who have played previous versions of the Madden NFL franchise will certainly know the gameplay mechanics, from defensive line shifts to offensive hot routes. The key to being successful at Madden NFL 07 for Wii is to trust your instincts rather than reacting with buttons. Passing, for one, is a test of touch. How fast or how hard should you throw that pass? In your playbook, each available receiver is designated by a direction on the Control Pad. To pass to this receiver during the play, you simply press the Control Pad direction and flick the Remote to pass. Each play has a preferred receiver for whom the play is designed. To pass to him, all you need to do is flick the Remote, no accompanying direction necessary.

An all-new rushing game
In Madden NFL 07, you'll control the running game like never before. For the first time ever, step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers - as you fight for every yard. Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs. Between the tackles or in the open field, run to daylight with Madden NFL 07. Smaller backs escape and break tackles, while bigger runners bowl over defenders in the open field Scout collegiate prospects with the all-new NFL Draft Scouting System and during the College All-Star Game. Watch players impact their teams with the new Franchise Player Roles feature Team-Specific Defensive Playbooks. For the first time, use actual plays from your favorite team's defensive playbook to shut down the running game, pressure the quarterback, or force key turnovers.

A fine balance of reflex and power
The running game is where FreeMotion control especially shines, mostly because rushing the ball is truly a test of anticipation, reaction and power. As you run, you can see what tacklers stand in your way. Once they're close enough, that's when you react, whether you juke or blast them with a stiff arm. Once they think they have you wrapped up, sometimes you've given the chance to power through them by pushing both controllers forward. There's something extremely satisfying about physically planting a stiff arm in someone's facemask. You can't get that in any other football game.

Defense also gets a FreeMotion upgrade as pushing the controllers forward can help you deliver the big hit. When you're playing in the secondary, flicking the remote will give your defender a chance to swat at the ball. It's this level of integration that really revolutionizes Madden NFL 07 without forsaking the gameplay elements gamers have come accustomed to. Overall, the football franchise dives into the end zone and scores with a motion system that gets gamers in the game without going over the top.

Product Description

In Madden NFL 07, you'll control the running game like never before. For the first time ever, step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers - as you fight for every yard. Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs. Between the tackles or in the open field, run to daylight with Madden NFL 07. Smaller backs escape and break tackles, while bigger runners bowl over defenders in the open field Scout collegiate prospects with the all-new NFL Draft Scouting System and during the College All-Star Game Watch players impact their teams with the new Franchise Player Roles feature Team-Specific Defensive Playbooks - For the first time, use actual plays from your favorite team's defensive playbook to shut down the running game, pressure the quarterback, or force key turnovers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite a Manning, but definitely a Brady., November 28, 2006

By 

C. Bakehorn (Bloomington, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Madden NFL 07 (Video Game)

Madden NFL 07 on the Xbox 360 was as good as fumbling the ball in your end zone and watching your opponent run it 105 yards for a touchdown. EA Tiburon threw out a game that was almost as bad as the `Niners against the Bears earlier this season. The Nintendo Wii version, essentially a motion-sensing re-make of the current-gen Madden NFL 07, fares much better.

To start, the game's a lot of fun to play, running at a smooth frame rate and avoiding some of the annoying problems that plagued the Xbox 360 Madden NFL 07. Without even considering the Wii-specific controls, the current-gen Madden was much better anyway. When you factor in the Wii controls, everything gets a lot more interesting. You'll do everything with motion-sensitive mechanics, including taking the snap (pull up on the Wii remote), passing the ball (thrust downward on the Wii remote), stiff-arming (flick the remote left or right), and juking (flick the nunchuck).

Initially I had some trouble taking snaps and kicking the ball well but after some practice I was rushing and passing all over the place, playing the fast-paced and fun game of football that Madden NFL is supposed to deliver. The new controls allow players to be extremely evasive while running the ball-since jukes and stiff arms are so easily done, there's no reason not to be doing them every time a defender gets close. The Highlight Stick obviously doesn't make an appearance here, but playing a virtual Joseph Addai has never been this much fun.

If Peyton Manning, Jo Addai, and Marvin Harrison are a blast to play, Dwight Freeny isn't. It's too bad that the fantastic Wii controls aren't as great on defense as they are on offense. Everything on defense feels too slow for the fast-paced offensive moves. Of course, it's still a decent game of football, but don't expect a lot of big stops on most defensive chances. Initially I allowed a lot of running yards and couldn't defend passes, which was annoying. Also, even though the mechanic for a Big Hit is fun and immersive (thrust the controllers forward), they're not as easy to pull off as they are with the Truck Stick found on other versions, and neither are interceptions, which are done by thrusting both controllers in an upward motion.

Madden NFL 07 for the Wii is loaded with all of the current-gen features. It's got the Superstar Mode, which was done much better on current-gen consoles than the next-gen ones. It's got the Fantasy Franchises, which are always a blast. Season, Play Now, all of those things come standard. It's too bad that the Wii can't jump online just yet, because that would have rounded off the Wii's version perfectly.

Unfortunately, some of the current-gen Madden flaws hold over. There are still some questionable hits, missed tackles, and players clipping together while tackle animations fail to initiate. Pass defense is still touchy. John Madden is still a big pain to listen to, and it seems that fewer sound bytes were put on the Wii disc, resulting in more repeated lines and more Madden hate. Seriously, I can't stand this guy. Bob and Tom's "Mr. Obvious" skit should really run an episode with Madden on it. I'd love it.

Madden NFL 07 looks alright on the Wii. It's got a slightly higher visual quality than the Xbox version of the game, resulting in some good character models and pretty grass on the ground. Of course, it doesn't look as good as the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 versions. The tackle animations aren't as good, and neither are the celebrations, stadiums, or menus, but that's to be expected. What's done here isn't bad at all, but it won't blow you away.

Overall, Madden NFL 07 on the Nintendo Wii is a great effort by EA Tiburon, one that makes me wonder even more how they dropped the ball on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 games, if it's even fair to call them "games." If you've already picked up a copy of this year's Madden, I'd still recommend renting the Wii version. If anything, it's an interesting departure from the traditional controls. If you haven't picked up a Madden NFL 07, this is the best version to get. It's fun, it's different, and it's Madden. That's a great combo, one worthy of this season's MVP.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun, January 22, 2007

By 

Brian L Anthony - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Madden NFL 07 (Video Game)

This is the second game I bought for the Wii, after legend of zelda. I love this game. It is very fun to play. I have played Madden before, but probably havent owned one since 02.

I have owned it for about 2 weeks now and I really enjoy the freemotion you get to use with the Wii. You control the snap, the passing (plus how hard you through) stiff arm, jukes, power moves, and catching the ball all on offense. These are easy to use, and after a while feel natural. The passing is awesome, it is just more fun that the old fashioned, tapping or holding down X to throw the ball. The stiff arm is great to use as well, you basically throw a stiff arm, and your player responds. How neat is that?

On defense, it leaves something to be desired. You control a lot of the movements based on your control stick, and the best way to tackle in my opinion is diving with the B button. To perform a rip, you swing both controllers, but I have problems with that, getting better at it though. Catching is the same, raise both contollers, strips and swatting work ok.


Kicking is tough to get control of, but I have not had too much trouble with it. I have always struggled with kicking in games, this is no different. However, I usually kick over 90 percent with a slice less than 10 degrees. I will not complain about it, as it gets easier.

Directions are bad if you have never played a Madden game before. I have, but not since about 02. They stopped being fun after a while. This is back to being fun. I love this game.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Addition to Madden Dynasty, January 23, 2007

By 

KnickFanRA - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Madden NFL 07 (Video Game)

First, I will start out with the bad. The instruction manual for this game is the most sorry excuse for a manual that I have ever seen. There are no details about any of the different modes, no instructions on how to navigate menus, and absolutely no information about any nooks and crannies of the game. I realize that an instruction manual doesn't need to cover *all* of these things, but the manual literally covers nothing beyond basic controls.

Graphics: The graphics leave a little to be desired, but then again, this is the Nintendo Wii, so graphics are not the main allure. The player movements are fluid and I don't see any problems with the game engine that are distractions during gameplay. The game looks nice, but not beautiful.

Sounds/Music: I don't mind the soundtrack, but I feel like older Madden games had much catchier pump up music and menu navigating (elevator) music. The commentary, as usual is horrible. I think the commentary here might be a little worse than other Madden games. Madden makes me want to scream and he says the same stupid stuff over and over again.

Gameplay: This is where the game truly shines. I was a little skeptical with all the controller movements I was expecting with the Wii, but was pleasantly surprised. None of the motions are overly complex, and most of them are quite intuitive. The in-game tutorials are extremely helpful in allowing you to get the motions down. You get to try the motions and the computer tells you whether or not the motion works or what you need to do to make it work.

The learning curve might be a bit steeper than the earlier Madden games, but after playing pretty frequently over the last week, I can say that I have a pretty good grasp of the game. I think the controls make the game more enjoyable, interactive, and exciting.

Features: I haven't played Madden since Madden 2003, so this is a huge leap for me in terms of features. Unfortunately, I have been too busy playing to delve into all of the features. I started my own franchise and I can say that this mode alone can keep me busy for months. I see no dearth of features in this game, but I wish the instruction manual would give more details about it.

Overall, amazingly fun, and fantastic game. I recommend it to Madden fans and to casual gamers who have even a mild interest in football. You're in for a treat.