Madden 2009 is one great game

Note: I will admit: I wrote too much. Just dont read the review and go buy it.

If you want the first true next generation Madden, this is basically it.

I bought Madden '06 for the XBOX 360 when the 360 came out. It was basically the worst Madden I ever played. It had medicore graphics for a system with so much graphical power and alot of features that was in the PS2/XBOX versions were omitted on the cutting room floor. How can you cut the franchise mode?

Madden 2007 was once again gimped with barely noticable updated graphics and the online was awful. About 25% of the time when I would try for a quarterback sneak online, the game would disconnect. It was a bug that was never fixed by EA Sports.

Finally, Madden 2008 was really the first major step for the Madden franchise on a next-generation console. It had all the modes that the PS2 had and it also had improved gameplay and online play. The only thing that it really lacked was that next generation graphics.

Well, this brings us to Madden 2009, the 20th anniversity of the franchise. I can say with certainly this is the best Madden since Madden 2002(with Michael Vick on the cover). Not only is the gameplay up to par, the graphics have finally lived up to its potential. I went back and read a couple of the reviews online and most of the reviewers basically said the same thing.

The Madden gameplay will always make or break a Madden game. When you have the marriage between great gameplay and great graphics, that is truly a rare thing. I know I am harping on the graphics, but with some games graphics matter. Sports games is the one genere that needs to have great graphics. The whole interface has been revamped to look like a real football game. The stadiums are gorgeous and EA claims they have a new weather effect system in place. Of course if you want the best results, you have to play the game on an HDTV. For better results, use an HDMI cable.

As far as gameplay, they have added some new exciting features that I have messed around with a bit. They have this new feature during franchise mode where you get to rewind a play. I dont know how many you get a game or if you can earn them throughout a game, but I received one during my game. Basically what it does is if you make a play that you dont like, you get to rewind it and play that down again. Its kind of like a lifeline. Now I dont know how far you can take it, such as what if you throw an interception or an opponent throws an 80 yard TD, but its a great new feature to learn from your mistakes.

They also have something called Madden test. This is where John Madden gives you something to do like run the ball as many times as you can in the endzone. You gain IQ points out of this. Also, they added online leagues. I havent been online yet so I cant really comment on the online portion of the game. Like all Madden's, once your hone your skills, its best to test them out against others. Online play has always been my favorite part of Madden.

Anyways, I can harp on Madden all day long if I wanted to. Its on XBOX360/PS3/Wii/PS2. It retails on the Xbox 360 for 59.99 and the collectors edition is 89.99. I think if you buy it at Toys R US they give you an action figure of Favre for free. It might have been a launch day promotion though. BTW, Sams Club is selling the PS3/Xbox 360 version for 55 bucks plus while you wait in line, they'll print you a new high-res cover with Favre in a Jets jersey. LAWLS.