It's almost an annual right of passage: gridiron gamers go gaga for the new Madden game, EA Sports' seminal NFL football simulation. Since 1989, Madden has been released on most every relevant platform, each time offering improvements over the last, better visuals, or sometimes completely new features like online multiplayer or platforms specific control options, sometimes removing old features in favor of something -- anything -- new, novel or gimmicky to differentiate itself from the same old same old, because the basic tenants of football don't drastically change (though the rosters do) -- so EA is hard pressed to give gamers a reason to pay full retail price on a game that is, at its core, invariable.

To be sure, Madden games aren't necessarily great games, but they're always pretty good at least. Securing exclusive licensing rights from the NFL as well as the NFL Players Association helps; it's the only real NFL game available these days.

This year, it's Madden NFL 08. And while, as usual, it's available on all the popular new-gen platforms, namely PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360, and at its core contains some amazingly cool features like the new "Read and React System" that displays a skill icon over key players identifying their on-field strengths and weaknesses, thus providing an immediate read on your opponent, as well as new player animations, more moves, etc., plus the ubiquitous, duly lauded long-playing franchise mode, including a new "Front Office Mode," and is basically solid footballing across the board, the title is nonetheless notably different on each system, mainly because the systems themselves are a disparate bunch, each with unique gameplay strengths... and weaknesses.


Madden NFL 08
For: Wii
Score: 4 (out of 5)

Clearly, EA has embraced the Wii's family-friendly functionality whole-heartedly. Madden NFL 08 not only contains a rock solid football simulation to appease those gaga gridiron gamers, but also a "Family Play" mode (as opposed to "Advanced" mode, with is more like "normal gamer" mode), an easy-as-pie gameplay option with takes the otherwise advanced nunchuk out of the equation and goes Wii-mote-only basic, so moms, dads, grandparents and babysitters can compete without thumb-tied conniption, which makes the game genuinely fun regardless of the player's gaga quotient.

Further, Wii-Madden offers a "Party Mode," which is less about simulated football and more about goofball NFL-ish mini-game shenanigans with 2 to 4 players.

Moreover, Wii's unique interface, namely the motion-sensitive Wii-mote and nunchuck attachment (again, for "advanced" players), exclusively offers actual football tossing (or passing or lobbing or kicking) motion options, which is modestly cool.

You forgive the Wii version its less elaborate visuals (though it still looks consistently good) and dopey artificial intelligence, because it's so darn accessible. In fact, one for the few things the Madden franchise has been consistent about is the fun-with-friends factor, and it’s the flagship feature on Wii.

Madden NFL 08
For: Xbox 360
Score: 3.5 (out of 5)

For the avid and rabid Maddenites -- not to be confused with avid gamers in general, just the Madden-lovin' masses --, the Xbox 360 version of Madden NFL 08 is the whole ball of wax. Sexy smooth visuals, awesomely animated athletic acrobatics, intuitive control, deep, deep NFL-isms (like franchise mode, owner mode, superstar mode, and all that other consternating stuff that apparently impresses Madden fans). It's the expected stepping-up of a sequel, but there's some genuine newness to it -- though the same old Madden-flavored football premise remains. Player models are more varied (not everyone looks like the same brick craphouse with a different number slapped on the back) and gameplay is much snappier, with little or no load time between plays.

The aforementioned "Read and React System" is further complemented by new player "weapons," which are icon-based skills sets of star players, like a super straight arm, hyper awareness, freakish fastness, sticky hands, or brute bulldozer-ish-ness. When you view these iconic stats on the fly, you have a better understanding of the odds of buddy catching your long bomb, and helps with the due diligence of pre-snap match ups.

It also sports the Hit Stick 2.0, which, using the right analog thumbstick, gives you more nuanced control of tackles; headhunter or ankle-cutter style (with delicious animations to go with it)... albeit as about as "nuanced" as a thumb-wrestle...

It truth, it's all a little much and certainly lacks the accessibility of the Wii version, though the practice modes, called "Skills Drills," are surprisingly effective, proffering to make a rabid Maddenite out of you yet, if you aren't already.

Madden NFL 08 sports online play via Xbox Live, naturally, but only offers head-to-head gaming, which is cool, but the forthcoming NHL 08, also from EA Sports, is set to feature more elaborate online modes like user created online tournaments. Why such a sure-fire fan-centric feature is missing is Madden is maddening, for the Madden fans, at least. But there you go.


Madden NFL 08
For: PlayStation3
Score: 3 (out of 5)

The PlayStation3 version of Madden NFL 08 is essentially the same ball of wax as the Xbox 360 version save for one rather large shortcoming: it's retarded. Literally, compared to the 360 game, Madden 08 plays lethargic and goes downright chunky when all those otherwise delicious headhunter and ankle-cutting tackles are going on. Officially, the PS3 version runs at an oft-stuttering, 30 frames per second (FPS), as opposed to the silky sweet 60 FPS on the 360 version. Geek speak aside, that means the game is displayed with half the fluidity at best. Computer controlled players don't seem to act/react with much liveliness either, though that may be part and parcel of the same issue. Or not.

Regardless, it's still Madden, it's still a solid football fantasy/simulation stuffed to the rafters with features, so if it's the only version you're going to play, you won't notice that there are better versions out there.

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NOTE: Reportedly, Madden NFL 08 is also available on GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation2, PlayStation Portable, Windows PC and Xbox, not reviewed here. A Macintosh version is also in the works. All Madden NFL 08 games are rated "E" for Everyone (6+), by the ESRB.

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NEWS BITE: EA defends PS3 Madden deficiencies

EA certainly isn't doing Sony any favors when it comes to manifesting the much-touted, rarely-realized, perhaps-mythical superiority of the PlayStation3's hardware prowess. Game critics across the board have noted that Madden NFL 08 is "sluggish" on PlayStation3 and that the Xbox 360 version is clearly superior. With such a universal lambasting, EA took the unusual step of defending itself in regard to the performance discrepancy after a USA Today review of the game also used keyword: sluggish. "The differences in the overall knowledge of the hardware is vastly different for both consoles," said EA in a statement. "And, as is the case with newer technology, it is very difficult to get it right the first time."

Madden NFL 08 actually marks the second time a Madden game has appeared on the PlayStation3. D'oh!