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[Jon_Danger]

1up tends to think not

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3162406

For most sports gamers, the Wii is little more than a novelty; an amusing yet insubstantial distraction that can't keep pace with the big new-gen hitters. The latest version of Madden is further evidence. While the Xbox 360 version of the game kicked off a "best Madden ever?" argument in the office, the same game on the Wii is so full of flaws that whatever joy you'll get out of the motion controls and countless gameplay modes (it's got lots) is quickly doused by shoddy defensive A.I. and other tiny issues that are evident throughout.

New to the game are two things that we really wanted to love, but just couldn't. The Telestrator mode is laughably moronic. After a big play in multiplayer, you can write all over the screen with the remote. It sounds fun, and we love that it makes a squeaky marker sound, but it's useless. If you circle a receiver before the snap and then play the replay, the circle stays in place; it doesn't disappear while he runs his route. It just turns into a big white mess. It's a great concept that works on television, but the execution is flawed in a game. Plus, the new Family Play is for 4-year-olds. Literally. Madden has gotten very difficult over the years, but playing on Rookie on any system is better than Family Play on this one. You're left just to wave the remote to juke and fire off passes. But the running isn't in your hands -- it's all done for you. That's clearly not fun for the adults, and even kids might find it too simple. Beyond that, the laggy online gave us problems.

4.5
Reviews be damned, I predict this baby to sell like hotcakes.

EDIT:

More review scores for great debate justice.

IGN Madden Review: 8.5
http://wii.ign.com/articles/812/812653p1.html

Gamespot Madden Review 8.0
http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/madden08/review.html?sid=6176657

 

[bluemax]

I've been playing Madden 360 this afternoon on my new HD tv and those Madden Wii screens made my eyes bleed.

 

[Haunted]

:O

Seems like one big shit.

 

[Kintaro]

1up tends to think not

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3162406



4.5
Reviews be damned, I predict this baby to sell like hotcakes.

Hotcakes to 360's flapjacks. Flapjacks > Hotcakes.

Edit: Oh wait, this is Zuniga reviewing it? Look for another review somewhere else then. It may very well suck, but not because this guy says so.

 

[Jon_Danger]

The N fans are strong on 1up, as the user score is around 8.1

 

[Ramirez]

Definitive version? Are you shitting me?

 

[Haunted]

I actually like some of the things said in the review. Passes connecting more often than usual (or realistic) as well as having lots of modes and the family mode in particular sound pretty cool and are actually pluses for me.

I'm just not interested enough in American Football to really care about an accurate representation of it with all the complicated plays etc. I'm more of an arcade gamer.


Aficionados should get the PS2 or 360 version, that much seems obvious.

 

[Jon_Danger]

Definitive version? Are you shitting me?

Ramirez
Official EA Apologist
(Today, 09:39 PM)

APOLOGIZE!

 

[blame space]

lolz grafix

 

[Suburban Cowboy]

Casual sports guy CONFIRMED

 

[dammitmattt]

All of the Madden 08 versions are too flawed to be called "definitive."

"Better than 07" is a more accurate description.

 

[Mrbob]

In the end, there's absolutely no reason to choose this one over these other versions: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Xbox, or even PSP.

Oh!

If you're a Madden beginner, just play an easy level on a different console.

Snap!

 

[Zombie James]

But the running isn't in your hands -- it's all done for you.

Wait a sec.... it runs for you?

 

[newsguy]

Remember the thread where sooooo many people thought it would be the definitive version? Fold that memory and hide it in the same dark little place you keep naughty thoughts.

 

[Jon_Danger]

I need the soundbyte of the overbid from "The price is right" to play when people open this page.

 

[Gigglepoo]

Edit: Oh wait, this is Zuniga reviewing it? Look for another review somewhere else then. It may very well suck, but not because this guy says so.

What's your beef with Todd?

 

[Jon_Danger]

Wait a sec.... it runs for you?

Yes, they want to get all gamers fat and lazy, so when wiifit comes out, people will be chomping at the bit to lean their way to a lower weight.

 

[mepaco]

I'm really disappointed. I have the '07 Wii version and love it. My wife and I were just playing it a couple of hours ago. I was considering picking this one up as well since I heard they were adding a lot of new stuff but I guess I'll just wait and hope the '09 version is sweet. The motion controls really brought the fun back to Madden for me.

 

[titiklabingapat]

See, I was right.

Worst selling home console version for the August NPDs because it is shitier than the last one.

 

[DeathbyVolcano]

Information chaos

 

[dammitmattt]

What's your beef with Todd?

He might know soccer, hockey, and maybe baseball, but he's clueless when he comes to football. That doesn't mean I don't love the podcasts, but Todd doesn't belong anywhere near football games.

 

[Jon_Danger]

He might know soccer, hockey, and maybe baseball, but he's clueless when he comes to football. That doesn't mean I don't love the podcasts, but Todd doesn't belong anywhere near football games.

I am pretty sure he knows plenty about reviewing games though.

 

[Trout]

the best Madden is still on PS2

I just traded in my PS3 version today towards Warhawk it sucked so bad...I mentioned on another thread that the College game seems much smoother to me, but that could just be my bitterness toward EA...

 

[Mrbob]

See, I was right.

Worst selling home console version for the August NPDs because it is shitier than the last one.

Shitty reviews haven't stopped other Wii games from selling.

The massive Wii userbase should help the Wii version of Madden 08 outsell the PS3 version.

I see the Wii version in 3rd place of the Madden race behind PS2 and X360.

the best Madden is still on PS2

I just traded in my PS3 version today towards Warhawk it sucked so bad...I mentioned on another thread that the College game seems much smoother to me, but that could just be my bitterness toward EA.

Do you have a 360?

PS3 Madden is borked. A damn shame. X360 madden is pretty sweet. Finally a suitable replacement for PS2 Madden.

 

[Gigglepoo]

I am pretty sure he knows plenty about reviewing games though.

His complaints seems pretty solid to me. I'm sure he's played enough football games to be able to judge them by now. He is one of their main sports guys.

 

[Bildi]

I don't follow Madden, but I thought many people thought last year's Wii version was great especially in light of the gimped 360 version (compared to previous gen it was a step back I think?).

Seems like when they actually put in the effort to change the game from the year before, it's for the worse.

 

[Amir0x]

I actually like some of the things said in the review. Passes connecting more often than usual (or realistic) as well as having lots of modes and the family mode in particular sound pretty cool and are actually pluses for me.

I'm just not interested enough in American Football to really care about an accurate representation of it with all the complicated plays etc. I'm more of an arcade gamer.


Aficionados should get the PS2 or 360 version, that much seems obvious.

this doesn't make it more 'arcadey', it just makes it more simplistic and stupid. There are actual legitimate arcade football games to choose from, if that's your preference.

 

[titiklabingapat]

Shitty reviews haven't stopped other Wii games from selling.

The massive Wii userbase should help the Wii version of Madden 08 outsell the PS3 version.

I see the Wii version in 3rd place of the Madden race behind PS2 and X360.



Do you have a 360?

PS3 Madden is borked. A damn shame. X360 madden is pretty sweet. Finally a suitable replacement for PS2 Madden.

Amazon says that Madden Wii is the worst selling though, handily getting outsold by the PS3 version for extended periods of time(three weeks). It finally exited the top 100 today.

 

[dammitmattt]

I am pretty sure he knows plenty about reviewing games though.

It doesn't matter. You need someone who knows the sport inside and out. He doesn't. If I was a reviewer I wouldn't belong anywhere near a soccer game or an RTS. That's just how it is.

Like I said, I still like him and the podcast a lot, but I'm calling it like it is.

Really, none of the major websites have a clue when it comes to sports games. They review them based on the icing instead of the cake.

 

[masud]

That's a terrible review. I haven't played '08 but '07 was a very good game and I'm sure EA hasn't regressed. Who cares if the extras are lame?

Oh yeah definitive version = PS2.

 

[mepaco]

Shitty reviews haven't stopped other Wii games from selling.

The massive Wii userbase should help the Wii version of Madden 08 outsell the PS3 version.

When I went to Walmart earlier today I was surprised to see that the Wii version of Madden was sold out. Don't know if they didn't order a lot or it really is that popular ... but then I was sad when I saw that they still had many copies of MP3 sitting there. So sad.

 

[bdoughty]

the best Madden is still on PS2

I just traded in my PS3 version today towards Warhawk it sucked so bad...I mentioned on another thread that the College game seems much smoother to me, but that could just be my bitterness toward EA...

I spot your issue from miles aways.

Could it be the PS3 version is just as bad, if not worse, then the Wii version?

That's a terrible review. I haven't played '08 but '07 was a very good game and I'm sure EA hasn't regressed. Who cares if the extras are lame?

That is a terrible reply. I have not seen all your other replies but I can't fathom they could get any worse?

 

[Jon_Danger]

That's a terrible review. I haven't played '08 but '07 was a very good game and I'm sure EA hasn't regressed. Who cares if the extras are lame?

because EA has never regressed in a football iteration...

 

[Gigglepoo]

That's a terrible review. I haven't played '08 but '07 was a very good game and I'm sure EA hasn't regressed. Who cares if the extras are lame?

Bad AI is a death knell for me. I watch too much NFL football to play a poor rendition. He also says the controls are imprecise. Doesn't sound like a winning combination. What are you buying it for? The laggy online?

 

[Jon_Danger]

When I went to Walmart earlier today I was surprised to see that the Wii version of Madden was sold out. Don't know if they didn't order a lot or it really is that popular ... but then I was sad when I saw that they still had many copies of MP3 sitting there. So sad.

This.... is our future

thank you nintendo wii... thank you.

 

[dammitmattt]

Bad AI is a death knell for me. I watch too much NFL football to play a poor rendition. He also says the controls are imprecise. Doesn't sound like a winning combination. What are you buying it for? The laggy online?

The AI has never been that good in Madden or NCAA.

 

[Amir0x]

That's a terrible review. I haven't played '08 but '07 was a very good game and I'm sure EA hasn't regressed. Who cares if the extras are lame?

Oh yeah definitive version = PS2.

But it says the defensive A.I. is total shit. Good defense A.I. isn't an "extra" in Madden games. Plus if you read the review, it lists tons of complaints involving the main game that aren't "extras" either.

ANYWAY, I always only get two Madden versions per generation... still wondering if I should start with '09...

 

[newsguy]

Well since we're on the topic of better versions, I'm playing superstar mode on the 360 and loving it. I tried different positions but I recommend this. Play with a real rookie (don't create a guy). When creating a player you have to go through the 40 yrd dash and bench to determine stats and unless you're awesome at the 40 (I feel that minigame is broken) you're best off starting with a real NFL rook. I'm playing with Ginn Jr. on the Dolphins and I'm averaging like 130 yards per game with a few kick returns for TD's to boot.

 

[Gigglepoo]

The AI has never been that good in Madden or NCAA.

Very true, one of the reasons I usually avoid it. I was surprised how good it was this year, though, at least in the X360 version. Only a few "WTF was that!?" moments a game. A huge improvement.

 

[titiklabingapat]

I spot your issue from miles aways.

Could it be the PS3 version is just as bad, if not worse, then the Wii version?

This is a set up for the NPD thread 3 weeks from now.

I see nintards and sonytards arguing iover which version was the worst to justify Madden Wii's worst numbers. :lol

 

[Trout]

no 360 atm...

after reading these boards, I've come to the conclusion that it would be best to wait for the "Falcon" or whatever.

I was also a tester for a company that makes popular military shooters for the 360, and there were some serious horror stories.

plus I can't afford it :lol

 

[dammitmattt]

Very true, one of the reasons I usually avoid it. I was surprised how good it was this year, though, at least in the X360 version. Only a few "WTF was that!?" moments a game. A huge improvement.

What about the o-line blocking and superhuman ninjas LBs and DBs?

 

[Jon_Danger]

This is a set up for the NPD thread 3 weeks from now.

I see nintards and sonytards arguing iover which version was the worst to justify Madden Wii's worst numbers. :lol

According to 1up

http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3158568

7.5

 

[Gigglepoo]

What about the o-line blocking and superhuman ninjas LBs and DBs?

I was going to mention the interior O Line blocking. They don't like to pass block. At all. And they don't know how to accurately pull. I thought the LBs and DBs were much better, though. And the WRs didn't stop and stare at my scrambling ass nearly as often. Not perfect, but at least it was an improvement over last year's game.

 

[bdoughty]

This is a set up for the NPD thread 3 weeks from now.

I see nintards and sonytards arguing iover which version was the worst to justify Madden Wii's worst numbers. :lol

Exactly my point.

Might as well throw Tiger Woods in the title while you are at it because it is in the same boat (for the Wii that is). EA continues to hammer down my point, as if I somehow saw this happening months ago when Wii owners were getting their hopes up in the sports genre.

 

[Zombie James]

When I went to Walmart earlier today I was surprised to see that the Wii version of Madden was sold out. Don't know if they didn't order a lot or it really is that popular ... but then I was sad when I saw that they still had many copies of MP3 sitting there. So sad.

 

[titiklabingapat]

According to 1up

http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3158568

7.5

Thank you

You read that, bdoughty? :lol

 

[mepaco]

This.... is our future

thank you nintendo wii... thank you.

Not sure what you are driving at. This really doesn't have anything to do with the Wii. Madden outsells plenty or much more worthy games on every console, every year.

 

[derder]

This is a set up for the NPD thread 3 weeks from now.

I see nintards and sonytards arguing iover which version was the worst to justify Madden Wii's worst numbers. :lol

We live in a fucked up world.

Or should I say... visit a strange message board.

 

[Ploid 3.0]

I saw some friends play it on PS2 and it looked pretty good. Not sure what score it got but they seemed to like it a lot even thought it was as good as the next gen versions (although they haven't played it on ps3 or 360).