Madden-09
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Season Update: What's new in Madden 09
The biggest question we hear every single year with the Madden franchise (and in fact, most EA Sports titles) is, "How is this game any different than last year's?" Snarky responses about the roster change aside (and even that gets fumbled sometimes), the gridiron gang at our sister site X3F have assembled the Season Update, calling out the differences (both good and bad) between Madden 09 and its immediate predecessor. For those still on the fence about picking up a copy, click here for the play-by-play.
Oh look, we're unboxing the new blue PSP
Hey, did you know? Those new blue slims are now out in the wild. We had previously said we were going to pick one up and that's exactly what we did. In fact, we've already opened up the box, scoped out all the goodies, and started playing with our new toy. Want to see what's inside the box with us? Then check out our unboxing gallery by clicking on the link below.Click here to head over to our unboxing gallery!
Make Favre a Jet with a new Madden 09 cover
Football fans may have noticed that Brett Favre is still wearing his Packers uniform on the cover of Madden 09 rather than his swanky new Jets uniform. If you just can't stand to see Favre in the wrong uniform (or you're just obsessive compulsive), you can now download a new cover directly from EA. The only question now is what do you do with the old cover? We suppose it might work for papercraft. Failing that, it could make a decent rain hat in a pinch. Just use your imagination kids! What's new in Madden this year? What's different? Find out what's good (and what's not so good) in our Madden 09 Season Update.
X3F Presents... Season Update: Madden NFL 09
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Everything_you_need_to_know_about_Madden_NFL_09'; Welcome to X3F Season Update where we outline the additions and changes to major sports franchises. Looking to nab Madden NFL 09? This handy guide will walk you through some of the updates to the franchise and pinpoint issues we've heard from around the web. In this feature we tackle everything from the new Madden IQ feature to the utter failure that is the online leagues in the game. Jump in sports fans and find out everything you need to know about Madden NFL 2009.Continue to X3F Season Update: Madden NFL 09
The '$10,000' Madden PSP Entertainment Pack
In order to offset the cost of printing posting an alternative cover for (most versions of) Madden 09, it looks like EA had to raise the price of the new Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack to the tune of: $10,000! Graciously, Circuit City has elected to eat a full $9,800 of that cost, leaving pre-orderers with a much more manageable price tag. [Note: Circuit City has since removed the pricing error.]Retailer bloopers aside, the Madden Entertainment Pack (MSRP $200) includes: a very blue PSP, 1GB Memory Stick, Madden 09 (game), download code for Beats ("game"), and -- what's this? -- a movie ... on UMD (they're collector's items you know).[Via PSP Fanboy]
Metareview - Madden NFL 09 (Xbox 360, PS3)
It's times like this we're happy there's a Metareview. Because, honestly, if we had to say something intelligent and clever about football, it's probably going to be related to The Waterboy or Superpro. We're sports dumb, to put it more directly. Luckily, the internet is here to put the new Madden through its paces. 1UP (A): "Madden's the sports-gaming superpower, though, so it's hard not to nitpick some of this stuff. But even with the listed complaints, this is a football game that one-ups the stakes between the sidelines, and it's so visually impressive that it's likely to stick in your system all season long -- even on Saturdays." GameDaily (80/100): "Despite all the this cool stuff, Madden commits some penalties. The game supposedly has more dynamic camera angles, but you'll often see the same one repeat up to ten times per game. As for the computer, it often makes strange decisions, such as running out the clock when it needs a score or wandering out of bounds for no reason." IGN (88/100): "It may not look all that different to the casual observer, but football aficionados and Madden veterans alike will be able to appreciate the small enhancements."
Print me: New Madden NFL 09 cover (except Xbox, Wii, and DS ...)
click to enlarge Huh, looks like EA doesn't have everyone ... covered. Less than a week after Madden 09's cover athlete Brett Favre jumped ship for the Jets (single-handedly thrashing millions in Madden marketing materials) EA has come through with its "plan": you can now download a replacement cover (in handy PDF format) for your copy of Madden NFL 09 featuring Favre donning his new team's colors ...... that is, if you happened to purchase either the Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, or PS2 release. Those of you that bought the Wii or DS versions, sorry. And for the four of you that bought the Xbox version ... you should know better. Also released today: a "new online roster download" for Xbox 360, Xbox, PS3, PS2 and Wii which "features Favre as the starting quarterback on the New York Jets." Rocking something a little more portable, are we? EA advises you hit up Franchise Mode, transfer "NFL Great" Favre to the free agent roster pool, and then scoop him up "on any of the 32 NFL teams for the 2008 season." [Update: If you don't want to blow all of your green ink printing out the new cover, stop by either Sam's Club or Wal-Mart to pick one up in-store. It's unclear if you'll need to purchase the game there as well but our money's on "probably."]%Gallery-29488%
Joystiq goes to Maddenpalooza
The Rose Bowl was Madden-ified yesterday to make way for the 20th anniversary of Madden games, as well as the new Madden NFL 09 game that went on sale at midnight last night... or 9 PM Pacific if you were lucky enough to be in the stadium in Pasadena. The upper deck was wrapped in gigantic Madden sail cloths promoting the game and featuring poster boy Brett Favre in his Packers gear. The playing turf featured autograph sessions with NFL legends, skill games, free Pepsi schwag (which we forgot to photograph, whoops), a Slurpee booth complete with Hooters-esque booth babes, a mini Wal-Mart store, and a giant gaming tent full of tons of Xbox 360s, and a scant few Wiis, PS3s, and PSPs.Read on, dear gamer, to discover the rest, including a confab between rapper Busta Rhymes and EA's Peter Moore. Plus you can click on the gallery below for loads of photos.%Gallery-29734%
Shipping this week: Turducken edition
It's Madden time kids. Specifically, it's Madden 09 time. With good old Brett Favre emblazoned on the cover (wearing his Packers uniform or his fancy new Jets uniform), we're sure copies will be flying off shelves and into man-filled living rooms everywhere. We're also fairly certain that the percentage of "sick days" will be pretty high this week. Get out the snacks, the (root)beer and the turduckens. It's game time. If the foosball isn't your thing, take comfort in the fact that we're also getting Bionic Commando Rearmed on XBLA this week.[Via Joystiq]
Retail and download releases for the week of August 11th
This week brings lots of content to the Wii. We've got a pair of new Virtual Console games, some fresh WiiWare action and even some retail game love, for good measure. If you're looking for something new to enjoy on your Wii, then you're certainly in luck. The biggest title to release this week is undoubtedly Madden 09 All-Play. Were any of you looking forward to this one? Can't wait to go pick up your copy?Head past the break for the full details on what's new this week on Wii.
New games this week: Madden '09
You can feel it in the frat house rec rooms. It's positively electric in the dormitories. You can sense the excitement in the living room of that guy you work with at Arby's who probably hasn't turned his 360 on since last time this year: It's Madden 09 week. As you can probably guess, it's enough to net him the featured spot.It's not as though he's completely uncontested, though. PC players get to look forward to Gas Powered Games' Space Siege and DS and Wii's Line Rider sequel looks like fun, though decidedly less free than its Flash counterpart. Check out the full list after the break.
Worldwide PS3 releases for the week of August 10th
Madden NFL 09 is making its truly worldwide debut this week. If you're not a fan of American football then, sadly, you're out of luck. Unless you just love buying collector's editions for the sake of it. Yeah, we know you people exist. Here's the release list:US Games Madden NFL 09 [amazon.com offers $10 gift card with purchase] Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition EU Games Madden NFL 09 Asian Games Madden NFL 09 Release dates are constantly subject to change based on the whims of the gods. Check with your local retailer, just to make sure.
360 Deals: 1600 MS points for $15 and more
It's the week Xbox Live Arcade purchasers have been looking forward to, because Target stores are selling 1600 Microsoft points cards for the oh so nice price of $15. But that's not all, they also have CoD4, Battlefield: Bad Company or Army of Two for $50 and are also giving away $40 gift cards with the purchase of any Xbox 360 console and Madden 09. Best Buy has a similar deal, where if you buy an Xbox 360 console and Madden 09 they'll throw in a free wireless controller. Other than that and Turok for $30, Best Buy's 360 deals are kind of lacking this week. Over at Circuit City, they're selling CoD4 for $40, Gears of War for $30, Juiced for $15, and giving away a free mini football with Madden 09 or a free $5 gift card if you purchase Madden 09 online. Finally, Circuit City is handing out free $30 gift card with the purchase of any Xbox 360 console.Happy shopping and be sure to stock up on those cheap Microsoft points, because as you're well aware, Castle Crashers is releasing soon!
Favre is still on the Packers (on Madden 09 cover that is) - [Update]
You may have heard the news that Brett Favre has nabbed himself a one-way ticket out of retirement town. With Favre leaving his lengthy retirement behind to join the New York Jets, many wondered if his Madden NFL 09 cover would come in a new Jet-flavor. EA Sports has debunked notions to IGN that there are any plans to release a second printing of the cover with Favre as a Jet. Prior to the announcement of the trade, EA Sports head-honcho, Peter Moore, told CrispyGamer that the developer had a plan in place for a possible Favre move. Day one downloadable content, anyone? Update: EA has confirmed they will release a day-one update that places Favre on the Jets (and reflecting any other relevant roster changes), reports MTV Multiplayer. EA has also announced they will offer a downloadable cover in the coming days on easports.com featuring Favre in a Jets uniform. Fans can print out the Jets cover and insert it into their copy of Madden NFL 09. [via Joystiq]
Favre to remain a Packer ... on Madden cover (EA has a plan!) [update]
With Brett Favre booked for a one-way ticket out of retirement and into New York (as a Jet!), Madden NFL 09 will look decidedly vintage when it releases next week with Favre on the cover ... as a Packer. Some may attribute the gaffe to evidence of the "Madden Curse" at work (c'mon, it can do better than that!), but EA Sports boss Peter Moore assures, "There's a plan."While IGN has already confirmed there will be no second printing -- Favre will remain a Packer on the surface of Madden 09, at least -- a Crispy Gamer interview with Moore and marketing director David Tinson published last week addressed the possibility of Favre switching teams; to which Moore offered his vague assurance. "It will ship with what you've seen. Yes. And then we'll have a plan if he's not [a Packer]," Tinson added. Day-one roster update confirmed!Update: EA will indeed release a day-one update placing Favre on the Jets (and reflecting any other relevant roster changes), reports MTV Multiplayer. But that's not all: "We do not plan to re-issue packaging, but WILL offer a free downloadable cover in the coming days on easports.com featuring Brett Favre in a Jets uniform. Fans can print this new cover out and insert it into the case of Madden NFL 09," a company spokesperson revealed to MTV. See, EA did have a plan! ... But if you're not feelin' it, why not make your own cover?[Image credit: FirstCuts]
Madden 09 QA team prefers playing on PS3
We know many of you were upset when you played Madden 08 on the PS3. It certainly had its issues, but don't let that put you off Madden 09. The Orlando Sentinel's Matthew Simantov spoke to the Senior Producer of the game, Phil Frazier, who told him that Madden NFL 09 will be identical on the PS3 and the 360. Not only that, but the QA team actually prefer playing on the PS3 version. The game comes out in under a week, but the demo is already on the PSN Store. From the sound of things, EA has learned from their previous mistakes. Is this enough to win back those of you who swore yourselves off the franchise after Madden 08? Check out the first part of the video for more inside talk about the game.
Nintendo Channel video updates take a look at Madden NFL 09
We're excited about Madden NFL 09. Oh no, sports on a game blog, run! But, in all seriousness, this year's Madden NFL 09 looks like it's going to be a solid title and unique from the other versions available. Plus, the All-Play stuff looks fun. If the video up top tickles your fancy, then the one past the break is going to blow you away.Also, check out the latest video updates to the Nintendo Channel tucked away back there as well.
Madden 09, Facebreaker demos rush onto Xbox Live, PSN [update]
Electronic Arts has today released the one-two punch of both Madden 09 and Facebreaker demos on Xbox Live [update: and PlayStation Network] (via Major Nelson). Both downloads are approximately 1 GB apiece, and Facebreaker has the added benefit of a character creation feature that lets you transfer your created fighters to the full game. PlayStation 3 owners can expect the Madden 09 demo today, but face breaking will have to wait until August 7.[Update: A Sony rep called to let us know that both demos will be coming to PSN today, as well]
Madden 09 demo spikes the Xbox Live Marketplace
Calling all pigskin fans. Available now on the Xbox Live Marketplace is a demo for Madden NFL 09 clocking in at a chunky 1.09GB. The demo features two playable modes, the Madden Test and a single Madden Moment scenario. The Madden Test is a virtual drill simulator that puts players through various situations used to adjust the skill level of the game based on overall performance. After running four drills -- offensive and defensive rushing and passing -- the game adapts the difficulty which then fluctuates based on future performance. Long story short, if players are struggling the game gets easier and more difficult if they are mopping the field with their opponents. The second part of the demo is a single Madden Moment situation which is a mode that replays classic football scenarios and challenges players to complete specific tasks. The Madden Moment included in the demo gives players 1 minute and 30 seconds to score as the New York Giants versus the New England Patriots faced with a 4th and 1 situation -- a moment somewhat pulled from Super Bowl XLII. If you're a football fan you owe it to yourself to check out the demo. After a quick play through we can easily say Madden hasn't looked this good in years. Also, the special edition comes with a playable version of Madden 93. We'll wait here while you go to preorder it.
E308: Madden NFL 09 Celebrations & Sadness trailer
Ah, sports games. You do not get enough love from us. But here's a freebie! Madden NFL 09 lands in stores this August and, so far, looks like a solid entry into the franchise. The latest trailer, now available on the Xbox Live Markeplace, focuses on the in-game celebration and frustration animations. Shockingly given permission for celebrations by the (usually) tight-laced NFL, EA Sports shows off a a handful of new moves you can expect to see in the endzone. Let's hope EA consulted with Ocho Cinco for the sake of realism (Sorry, maybe three of you know what I'm even talking about.)
