The Video Game Critic

Sorry these took so long, but I had to get a bunch of my friends to do a sanity check on these.  I also might have a review of the GameCube edition forthcoming.

It looks like the series on PS2 is going downhill with each passing year, judging from the Critic's reviews.

For someone who doesn't care about having the most current roster, which of the past Maddens on PS2 do you all recommend?

Great reviews. I have to say, if you want pretty graphics, go for the 360 version. If you want more modes, the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox versions will do you good.

[QUOTE=Gentlegamer]
For someone who doesn't care about having the most current roster, which of the past Maddens on PS2 do you all recommend?

[/QUOTE]

I haven't played Madden in a while, but I recall hearing that '04 is the game to have.

 

Will anyone miss chain measurements? They are necessary in real football, but they just waste time in a video game.

Okay, so Madden 360 actually doesn't have Madden as a commentator?

 

I'm actually not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.  Every Sunday he's drunk off his ass and sounds like a complete idiot so maybe it's a positive that he's not included.  I actually kind of like Al Michaels though.

 

Looks like I'll be firing up NFL 2K5 again this year.

 

You know what would be nice?  An updated Tecmo Bowl.  Just imagine the cheerleaders during half-time using the DOA engine.  Touchdown!

Madden had chain measurements in the early 90's, and they added a nice bit of suspense.  Basically it was just a window showing the chain being pulled in front of the football.  You were hoping it would stop before it got to the end of the football so you'd have a first down.  It took all but 3 seconds but it was exciting.

As for the commentator, I don't care as much about what the guys are saying, but if you don't have two guys talking, it just doesn't feel like a professional football telecast.  For me at least, it's the biggest difference between the PS2 and 360 versions.  And why EA even bothered to include that "radio" voice is beyond me.

From what I've been reading, the 360 version is the perfect game... if you work at EA.  Think about it, they get to completely handicap the game this round and pass by with half decent customer respect because, hey, at least it looks nicer.  Then, as the generation progresses, they can add features in again that were already in this generation, for the next two installments or so.  Finaly, for the last 2 installments or so they can have one where they mess something up experimenting with the mechanics, which people still buy and then wait until the next year to hope they fix it, and they can then do one that "finally" gets it right.  Then the Xbox 720, PS4, and Wii 2.0 are out and they get to start it all over.  They'll never run out of reasons to make the next year's version.  I imagine they see the Wii as a goldmine right now as well, as they have every excuse in the world to keep tinkering with the controls year after year and then they can finally get it right at some point late in the system's life. 

Hey! I like the new kick system. Much better than that old hunk of dog vomit that they have passed of for years as a "good" kicking system!

[QUOTE=Atarifever] I imagine they see the Wii as a goldmine right now as well, as they have every excuse in the world to keep tinkering with the controls year after year and then they can finally get it right at some point late in the system's life. 

[/QUOTE]

 

That I don't agree with. I read the ign interview with one of the makers of Madden Wii, and it looks like they are putting a lot of effort into it. The controls seem pretty good, it has all the main modes such as franchise, as well as Wii-only modes, and the graphics were made to be better than Xbox graphics. I'll wait until I see reviews, but Madden Wii may be the first Madden game I buy in 8 years.

 

[QUOTE=Gentlegamer]It looks like the series on PS2 is going downhill with each passing year, judging from the Critic's reviews.

For someone who doesn't care about having the most current roster, which of the past Maddens on PS2 do you all recommend?

[/QUOTE]

You might as well just buy them and judge for yourself since buying 01-04 would cost you 13$ all in all.