Customer Reviews

Madden NFL 10

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

**UPDATE: MANY REVIEWERS ARE SLAMMING THE GAME BECAUSE IT IS MISSING FRANCHISE MODE... however Franchise and Superstar modes are present in the game, but have to be unlocked. I placed the codes to unlock them at the end of my review!**

Before I even begin this review, let me say that I have NEVER had a desire to own a Madden game on any console before. Ever. Until Madden 10. I am not a big sports fanatic, and thus couldn't care less about trades, drafts, seasons, stats... when I sit down in front of my gaming console I want hours of fun and competitive action... not arguing over stats, gloating, bad sportsmanship, etc. So I have never owned a Madden game on any console, and typically dread playing Madden with any of my friends, because I could never compete with them! Until now...

This year, I could tell immediately that Madden 10 was going to be something different. It seemed to be more designed to appeal to me. Dont get me wrong: I am not the WiiFit demographic. I am a hardcore gamer, male, in my 20's. I just don't fit the typical Madden niche. This year's offering, as other reviews have stated (and SLAMMED the game for!) doesn't include a lot of what the hardcore sports fanatics might be looking for: trades, franchise mode (whatever that is!?), create-a-player (which I would have probably liked), etc... hence their unfavorable reviews. However, that said, the game has lots of features that ARE APPEALING, and I am really enjoying the game. Here are the features that attracted me:

1 - "HUDDLE-UP MODE" - this is a Wii-only mode that sounded really fun and interesting. Essentially, it is a 4-player mode where 2 players (opponents) control the game normally.... but 2 other players (each on one team or the other) can aim their remote at the screen and, using the wii pointer/cursor, help their teammate out by clicking on the opponent's players, tackling them! Your "helper" can tackle any opposing player AS LONG AS THEY DON'T HAVE THE BALL... so if my QB is about to get sacked or if I throw a pass to a receiver and he is about to get tackled... no worries! My teammate can take quickly click on the opposing player and take him out! It is ridiculously entertaining! There was screaming and laughing all at the same time. I had 3 friends over (2 are hardcore Madden veterans, and one other Madden newcomer), and they had a blast. We have dubbed this mode "HATER mode". It really is fun.

2 - THE CONTROLS AND PLAYBOOK - As I mentioned, I am new to playing Madden, but I am not new to gaming. The "ALL PLAY" controls are still an option, which have very simple controls for people who may have a harder time playing with the more advanced control scheme. I play with the advanced controls, which work really well. In addition, you can select whether you want the "ALL PLAY" playbook, an Intermediate playbook, or an ADVANCED playbook. This feature is REALLY nice. The All Play playbook is VERY simple... even a child could go in and select an appropriate play. The Advanced playbook looks like a NASA manual to a newcomer like me....way too intimidating! So, I selected the Intermediate playbook, which has lots of options, but far fewer plays than the Advanced. My nephew came over, and when he selected the Advanced playbook, I knew what I was in for... an old fashioned beat down. But surprisingly, I was able to hold my own, since EA did such a wonderful job balancing the game. Typically, with a game like this, a newcomer would have NO CHANCE IN THE WORLD against a seasoned veteran (seems strange calling a 16 year old a "seasoned veteran" at anything...lol)... but this game has done a wonderful job bridging the gap.

3 - "ROAD TO THE SUPERBOWL" - Again... I do not care about stats, trades, franchises... in fact, when I first started the game and it asked me to select my favorite team so it could use that team's colors and logo on my home screen, it took me like 15 minutes to decide on my favorite team, since I didn't have one! So, obviously I would never sit down and actually play through an entire season. I bought this game mostly for playing with other people. So, the "Road to the Superbowl" is a really well done mode of game-play. Essentially, you can go through an entire season... or half a season... or you can jump in at the playoffs... or you can EVEN BEGIN RIGHT AT THE SUPERBOWL. Also, you can start off your "Road to the Superbowl" alone, but other players can jump in at any time. So if I start the playoffs by myself, and one of my buddies comes over the next day, he can jump in with me and join me. You can even have several seasons or "Road to the Superbowl" saves.... so I can have one whole season that I am working on, and then create a new one that starts at the playoffs. This is a really well thought out way of doing things.

4 - ONLINE - I own this game as well as EA's "Grand Slam Tennis"... both games use EA Nation rather than Nintendo's online system. This means NO FRIEND CODES, and it also means that EA maintains the servers, ensuring they have the appropriate updates/maintenance, as well as that there aren't any hackers online. You can invite anyone you play to be added to your friend list, and it even has an instant messenger (I've never used it, but it's there). The online play just plain works. Period. THE ONLY thing that could have been done better is if they had implemented WiiSpeak for voice chat! This game, as well as Grand Slam Tennis SHOULD HAVE HAD VOICE CHAT!!! Other than that, it is perfect.

5 - GRAPHICS - Granted... the game does not look "realistic". But as a Wii owner, I have come to expect less than realistic graphics, and I am OK with that. I would trade fun gameplay for lesser graphics any day! I loved the art style used for Grand Slam Tennis, and this game used a similar "cartoony" style, and it looks great. It is a really good looking game. And the art fits the type of game it is: FUN.

This game is what it is: A really well done, deep, and compelling Football game. I am having a blast with it, and I think EA was smart to change up the formula a bit: it has tapped into a crowd that previously had no interest in the Madden offerings. Here is a quick review of the game overall:

Gameplay: 9/10
Controls: 10/10
Presentation: 8/10
Graphics: 8/10
Online Play: 9/10 (would be 10/10 if WiiSpeak was included!)
Replay Value: 10/10 (GREAT multiplayer modes for when friends come over!)
Overall: 9/10

Here are the unlock codes that, when entered at the EA Extra's menu, will unlock the hidden modes like Franchise Mode, etc:

Franchise Mode: TEAMPLAYER
Superstar Mode: EGOBOOST
Situation Mode: YOUCALLIT
Super Bowl Stadium: THEBIGSHOW
Pro Bowl Stadium: ALLSTARS
Master Code (unlocks everything): THEWORKS

Looked long and hard into getting this game reading every preview and review I could find. I finally decided to buy it. My only other experience with Madden on the the Wii was Madden 08.

First, I appreciate the new look. I'm glad to see that EA has figured out ways to make games playable on the Wii. The menu redesign reminds me of the new look in Tiger Woods 10 which I think is great. Frankly I am tired of playing games on the Wii that have menus and text you can't read and I'm glad EA finally is addressing this. I thought the frame rate during gameplay on Madden 08 was sub par, but with Madden 10 this does not seem to be an issue. Yes, the players do look "cartoony" in closeup shots but the graphics I think are very sharp with clean edges. During gameplay, you really don't notice that your linemen are roughly 7 times larger than your running back.

The presentation during the game does not feel like a TV broadcast like other games have done. All the screens are done in the overinflated and colorful style of the game. The commentary is adequate but they really need some variety in describing touchdown celebrations. There weren't any replays or cut scenes in the games I played. On a side note, I couldn't find where to change the weather when staring a game, just the wind and time of day.

This really is a "no frills" sports game even though it is targeted for casual fans. There are no animated scenes between plays like you've grown accustomed to except for an occasional look inside the huddle. I didn't even see any defensive celebrations after tackles or big plays. Player animations are smooth and believable nonetheless. In spite of the design and look that is reminiscent of arcade games like NFL Blitz, it does not feel or act like an arcade game in most modes of play. I am honestly shocked that they didn't extend the arcade look more into the actual gameplay.

Most of the game modes are designed for multiple and quick play. They are fun, but don't pack a lot of punch. My favorite game mode, Franchise Mode, is "locked" at first and must be unlocked with by entering a code. I found out when looking for that code why this happened. It seems EA Sports didn't get a few things finished in time and instead of cutting them from the game they just hid the features. When you get into Franchise or Superstar mode, you'll find that they are essentially unchanged from Madden 08. In fact, the menus and even some of the menu controls have to be directly taken from Madden 08. The only difference I saw was once I finally got into the game and returned to the new look.

I really appreciated the "All Play" controls because I never quite caught on to the controls in Madden 08. I also really like the use of the pointer in passing. This is surprisingly intuitive. The only thing for me was that I was trouncing my computer opponents even at harder difficulty levels. I played a game with five minute quarters that I won 63-0 in spite of turning up the difficulty as high as All-Pro and putting in my third string on offense. I wasn't exactly scoring at will, but I could easily complete enough passes to march down the field. I could not seem to run inside for any success but had some success running sweeps and tosses to the outside.

Bear in mind that this game is targeted for the "casual gamer", something I am quickly becoming. It is a great game for that audience, but lacks the punch a more serious gamer desires. It makes a great party game that players can just jump into and enjoy. I have my doubts about its long term playability. For someone like me that might play a couple of times a week I think the game is great.

I really like the redesign done to make the game more Wii-friendly. The work EA did along these lines in Tiger Woods 10 was phenomenal, but in Madden 10 it is incomplete. The fact that things like Franchise mode were left untouched during heavy reworking of almost every other feature is strange. The work that was done to rework the graphics and gameplay does greatly improve the overall experience on the Wii.

I hope in Madden 11 that EA Sports will fix the "classic modes" to be like the updated look and feel of everything else in Madden 10. Some cut scenes and other animations would be nice. I think more could be added to the presentation of the games - even if it doesn't have a broadcast feel some replays on big plays would be nice. Hopefully next year this year's release is a stepping stone to a great overall game next year.

First of all, so many reviews of this game here are negative because the reviewers assumed Franchise and Superstar modes weren't included. But they are unlockables and can be unlocked by typing the following codes...

Franchise Mode: TEAMPLAYER
Superstar Mode: EGOBOOST
Situation Mode: YOUCALLIT
Super Bowl Stadium: THEBIGSHOW
Pro Bowl Stadium: ALLSTARS
Master Code (unlocks everything): THEWORKS

That being said, I have played every Madden on Wii so far and find this one the most enjoyable. The menus are now slick and polished, and I would say the same about the gameplay itself. The control schemes are the same except the option to "Point and Pass" has now been included, which I think is a nice option to have. The internet games run without glitches and still do not require friend codes, which is great. After buying this game I would definitely recommend it to those who appreciate good, fun gaming.

I am not a gamer. I simply enjoy NFL football and I enjoy playing the Wii with my son. If you are into entertainment alone, this is a great game. I think the graphics are great! No, they are not as good as XBox or PS3 but they look great enough! The All-Play is wondeful and allows my 6 year old to kick my butt! It really allows interaction with all family members while still keeping my interest with the great players of the NFL. Playing on line is a real treat! I love this game and the people who are bashing it must really be looking for an Xbox or PS3. Maybe they should have thought about that before they went out and purchased the Wii! Go buy a PS# and close your mouth! Wii Madden 2010 is a lot of fun!

I like it a lot so far. I have never enjoyed Madden on XBox 360. Just seems the more realistic they try to make it look, the more the chronic flaws stand out and make it feel fake. This game has a different feel than recent Maddens. The fun factor is back. It's completely accessible for all ages and skill levels. You can have a casual game with the kids and then move on to a challenging game alone.

The game looks great and runs very well on the Wii. The cartoony screenshots truly do not reflect what the game looks like in motion. It is smooth and very pleasing to the eye. The visual style adds to the fun factor of the game. Instead of reinforcing Wii's graphic inferiority to 360 and PS3, it shows that the arcade look is still alive and well.

I can't say enough about the All Play and Intermeidate options for teaching video football to my son. The controls on Wii are so much more intuitive for children (and first timers) than on 360 or PS3. If you are used to pressing buttons that correspond to receivers, you may not feel that way. But if you've never played video football, it is very logical to point and throw. Right now he loves 5-on-5 mode with All Play controls. Over the next week or two, I'm sure he will ramp up to 11-on-11 and intermediate controls. But we will still play 5-5 a lot, it's a quick and very fun head-to-head mode.

To one of the previous reviews -- there are several modes that need an unlock code to access (Franchise, Superstar, and Situation). Go to EA Extras, enter THEWORKS, then they'll be available. Reortedly EA didn't hasve time to overhaul the menu system with these modes, so they will look/navigate the same as '09.

Best football game ever made for the Wii. For the first time, it actually looks like a Madden game should for the platform. The graphics are great, the gameplay is awesome, and although the controls are different than previous versions, they are well thought out and intuitive. Point and Pass takes a little bit to get use to but is a huge improvement once you get it down.

Game modes are a ton of fun, especially if you have friends over. The games are fast paced and entertaining. 5 on 5 mode is awesome this year without the Mario looking field and stadium, and the players don't have the creepy big heads this time around. Online is also a blast, hopefully they make 5 on 5 mode playable online next year...

Overall the best football game on the Wii by far. Great graphics for the platform and great gameplay. The people slamming this our hardcore players who want a simulation football game on the Wii, which just really doesn't make much sense.

This is the first NFL game on the Wii that my family has enjoyed. For the first time, it feels like it was made for the Wii instead of a port of the Playstation 2 version of the game. Graphics are bright, colorful and crisp. The gameplay is fast and responsive and the new controls for passing are great.

Everyone in my family is able to pick up and play this game, and have a great time with it. Lots of game modes that cater to fans of all ages this year.

They didn't improve Superstar or Franchise mode, but they are included in the game. This game really seems to be about getting family and friends around the TV to have a great football experience. We all love the product.

Previous editions of the Madden franchise on the Wii have been sub par to say the least but this years effort is a massive improvement. The graphics are the most obvious area of improvement. In past years they looked like members of the cast from Scooby Doo playing football but this year they are far more realistic. This also results in more realistic game play and more accurate reactions from the controller. The controller on the Wii is what separates this version of Madden from any of the others. The throwing motion and numchuck controls are far superior to anything available to anything on the Xbox or Playstation. This is the best of the Madden efforts on the Wii and for people who love sports games a not to be missed Wii game title.

I've played Madden on many video game formats and Madden 10 for Wii is just as fun as all of it's predecessors. The individual drills are a lot of fun as are the games. Love te players chosen for the individual drills - in some cases it feels as if you have the handicaps (Brady Quinn in the pocket) or assets (Neil Rackers as Kicker) of the players you're acting as. Of course one of the best features of the Wii version is the ability to play with friends on line. Using the Wii controls to maneuver takes some getting used to, and is the only real challenging part of this game - for someone who doesn't really play any of the sports games

I play Madden almost exclusively online against human opponents, so if you prefer single player action, or the Wii specific party modes, you will probably want to skip this review.

I'm not sure why AE has so much trouble getting this series nailed down, especially for the Wii.

They seem overly concerned with finding a unique Wii look.

Visually, Madden 08 looked great, with a good sense of realism. But it looked just like the other Madden offerings.

Madden 09 was a huge step backwards visually, opting for a an old style Nintendo look that really turned me off.

Madden 10 was a compromise of sorts. The backgrounds were much more realistic than in 09. The players look more cartoony. The camera movements are more creative. Overall, I would prefer they went back to the 08 look, but the new look is not bad.

But enough about looks. Playability is far more important than appearance, and in this respect, AE got Madden 10 right. And the single most important feature AE added was long overdue -- that being a control scheme that takes advantage of Wii's controller.

Before Madden 10, the Wii version used a scheme similar to the PS3 and XBox 360, requiring fluency with myriad combinations of buttons. The few Wii specific controls were frustratingly unpredictable; they seemed to be added simply because AE thought Wii users loved to pointlessly wave their arms around.

Madden 10 introduced a point-to-pass scheme, which is much easier to learn, and which feels much more natural. Old schoolers will stick with their familiar controls for a while, which they've mastered over years, but I've seen even the most conservative Madden players switch to point-to-pass. The system may not be perfect yet, but I'm convinced it is the way of the future. As much as Wii players envy the superficial look and the depth of programming in XBox/PS3 Madden games, they can take pride that only the Wii has this revolutionally control scheme.

The online play modes are much less buggy than in previous versions. Cheaters and cheasers will be frustrated as they try to gain unfair advantages over opponents. Connections are rarely lost. Unfortunately, players may still quit without punishment, so many games will end against the computer.

The gameplay commentary is by far the worst of any Madden game I have played. The problem isn't with the announcers or the comments themselves (except that I wish John Madden himself spoke once in a while), but with the complete mismatch of commentary to actual gameplay. Touchdowns are declared when a run goes for a loss. Great defensive stands are touted when a play goes for a TD. Quarterbacks are confused with receivers. I'm guessing the commentary works in single player mode--otherwise, I can't imagine how these errors made it through game testing.

Many other areas of online play were improved, including the challenge system and player controls. Some problems that appeared initially were fixed with player updates, which occur during every online hook-up.

Even the Wii Madden is not the best game for gamers who just want to dive right in and play well. New users will feel humbled for a while as they learn the system. But with the first win will come addiction.