Madden NFL 09

I agree that American Football is a great sport, but this is not a good representation of it. The last NFL game I bought was ESPN NFL2K5 on the PS2 by 2K Games.

It was an outstanding game, unfortunately, it was also the last NFL game that 2K produced as the following year EA paid the NFL a vast sum of money for exclusive NFL rights.

I hadn't bought another NFL game until I bought Madden 09 last week. I assumed that being 4 years newer, and on a next gen console that it would much better than 2K5.

I was wrong, I thought Madden 09 was extremely poor, with jerky graphics and animation, and weak presentation. The game runs too fast, and there is no 'feel' like in 2K5. I really didn't feel as though I was playing the game, making tackles etc. It all felt very artificial.

Finally, for a next gen game, even the graphics aren't much better than that on 2K5. Certainly not the animation, stadiums and crowd. Maybe textures and facial features, but nothing else.

If you want a real NFL game, try and find 2K5 and dig out your PS2 / Xbox. I have just ordered All-Pro Football 2K8, which is apparently 2K5 without the NFL licence. Its a shame, but I'll take gameplay over 'official licencing' anyday.

The best way to sum it up is that 2K5 is Pro Evo to Madden 09's Fifa (maybe not the last Fifa though - that was quite good for a change)

A good review of a game I would never have thought of buying. However, I still remain unconverted to American Football.. nice try though (spot then pun..? yeh yeh, I know its called a touchdown)