VIDEO GAMES: Madden 09 Review

*Posted August 21, 2008*

The biggest scam in the video game business is the yearly release of Madden football. They get you to shell out $60 for another version of the game that has few new features. The problem is that the gameplay is consistently good every year that you can't bad mouth it. Such is the case this year. Madden 09 is the best football game out there, much like Madden 08 was the best football game last year. Anything new? Well the graphics look sleek and updated (although I am playing on an HDTV this year, unlike last year), and the rosters have updated with rookies. Also, the soundtrack is different. Hmmm, that's about it. The gameplay is the same, the franchise mode is the same, the superstar mode is the same, the create-a-team mode is the same. Create-a-player got a facelift, and Madden IQ means the game automatically gets harder the better you get. The creators are really trying to make Madden look more like a TV presentation of a football game (complete with legit football announcers once again, sponsors once again, detailed replays, etc.) and for the most part I guess it's a good thing even though you skip replays and the announcers are immediately repetitive. Bottom line: Necessary edition? Absolutely not. Awesome football game? Absolutely yes.