The Madden NFL series

[BLORTH]

Absolutely love it. I'm a sheep for their series, and I've got from Madden 2001 until now. I mean, they've come out with such great additions to the games that it makes me want to buy it each year.

Also, it's so much better than the ESPN NFL 2K5 game. God I hate that game so deeply.

[moldykorn]

i bought madden '93 at a yard sale a few weeks ago. quite frankly, besides graphics, and different stats, i see no difference.

[BLORTH]

This year alone. Hit stick, defensive playmaker, and storyline central.

Last year, playmaker on offense, along with increased AI and ability to intercept. Also, Owner Mode.

Two years ago, hot routes and other stuff. I can't remember it all. Fun stuff though.

[CCRunner]

I agree, Madden is sweet. My brother had 01 for awhile and then he got NCAA football. Made by EA, its still as sweet, but I like it more because of the huge variety of teams. I might try out Madden though, but I am just so cheap and I don't feel like putting out $50 just to hold me over until october when the new gta game is out. Because really, I only played the other football games because I didn't have anything else to play.

[The Truth]

I think you have to be a really big fan of the game to even understand the value of the new additions. The Hit Stick is a really great feature, although I don't use it very often because it is dangerous. The ability to shuffle, stiffarm only after switching ball hands, the hot routes and individual defensive assignment changes on the fly are great.

The biggest thing the new changes do is increase the odds in favor of someone who knows the game better, as opposed to someone that just plays games well. There is still a high level of skill involved, but understanding the intricacies of the game play a huge role now.

[Doublestix11]

Madden is the shiz. I think the biggest upgrade though was from 03 to '04. Owner mode. That just changed the game entirely. So you didn't have to start your season over after you got done, you just kept on going in your dynesty. I love(d) it. I also liked the new Playmaker controls, they made it easier under the pressure http://www.giveupalready.com/images/icons/icon6.gif

[BLORTH]

The franchise mode has been around since forever. Owner mode was just a deeper part of franchise. Also, can people learn to fucking spell DYNASTY? Here's the deal, it's not a fucking dynasty in Madden. It's a franchise Hit Stick is awesome. I usually use it only on Kick Returns and when I'm controlling lineman against QB's.

[The Truth]

This year I have spent more time with the minigames, as I have tried to get all the gold trophies for all of the events at all the difficulty levels. Lots of fun, but very frustrating. Last night, after an embarassingly long attempt, I succeeded in winning the gold in the All-Madden level QB Pocket Presence Drill (and yes, I know I said that in another drill). That was so hard it boredered on lunacy.

The only one I have left is QB Accuracy. There are a few throws that I am convinced are not possible for humans to make.

[BLORTH]

The mini-camps are probably the best way to get better at said things. I lost my nervousness in the pocket playing Pocket Presence.

[monkeyman1254_TIA]

Yeah, I think Madden 2005 is the best one yet. They also improved the strip ball thing. In 2004 my guy would just stumble forward and miss completely, but now it activates on contact. They also made some other small tweaks to a lot of things. I'm not sure if this was always there, but they playmaker icon that appears in the bottom left hand corner of the screen is now the same colors as your team.

I also only use the Hit Stick on kickoffs and the QB.

[BLORTH]

I don't use the strip ball. I figured they removed it to make room for the hit stick or something. The hit stick knocks the ball out more than the strip ball I would think. Hm. I can't try it online, because my game has to be TIGHT on there. Like whoa.

[monkeyman1254_TIA]

I'm going to hook up XBOX Live as soon as I get high-speed internet. I'm probably going to lose every single game though. I need to play on a harder difficulty than Pro. On Pro I always get 50+ points, and that tells me it's too easy for me.

Anyway, I forgot about Create-a-fan. That's another new feature I forgot about, and you're probably right about strip ball being less-effective than the Hit Stick.

[BLORTH]

Xbox Live rules are as follows for ranked games.

Difficulty : All-Pro
Time : 4 Minutes
Fair Play rules are rough son. You can't go for it unless you're past your own 45, you can't go for it when you're up, etc. etc. It's all in the spirit of football.

[The Truth]

That mode sounds really rough. I almost never have to punt, because people are generally idiots and show what they are going to do. You always know where pressure is coming from because the dopes select the blitzing back before the snap and walk him to the line.

I wish I had a BB connection for XBox live.... I would own so many people.

[Demordeth]

I've got NFL street. Which is pretty fun for the first days you play it, but I don't understand shit of the sport. Probably because there's only one football team (yes, only ONE) in the Netherlands. The Amsterdam Admirals... Wow. Just like the rough play it incorporates.