Metareview: Madden NFL 09 All-Play
by David Hinkle 
{ Aug 13th 2008 at 3:37PM }
On to the review scores!
- Nintendo Power (90/100) is of the mind the game is the sports title to beat on Wii: "So while EA may not have lived up to its marketing directive, it's succeeded in creating quite possibly the best, most fully featured sports sim available on the Wii." [Sept 2008, p.85]
- IGN (86/100) says it's good, but hardcore gamers might not like some of the changes: "Madden 09 has done a great job of giving every type of player a little to love, but for the Wii-only hardcore out there, you're going to need to realize that times are changing, and Nintendo is synonymous with "everybody" now"
- GameDaily (80/100) thinks the game is easily recommendable: "Even though it lacks complexity, Madden NFL 09 on the Wii achieves more than enough to earn a recommendation. Its user-friendly controls and various modes will keep you scoring touchdowns well into next season."
- Games Radar (80/100) believes the game is a solid title: "Even so, Madden NFL 09 All Play is blazing an important trail to reintroduce lost football fans to the franchise. It's an undeniably fun experience that will please many in its target audience, and even includes roster updates and online play. Not to mention we're really starting to like a little waggle with our football. We may be old curmudgeons, but fun is fun, and Madden does a lot more right than not."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Dom @ Aug 13th 2008 3:45PM
Does anyone know if the snap/throw glitch is still there? That alone made me trade in last years. I think I'm sticking to 360 this year
Matthew @ Aug 13th 2008 3:59PM
I'm so torn. I love football but never bothered to collect the Madden series. I'll play it at a friends house, do well enjoy it but no biggie... I play sports at a high level outside in the real world so I don't feel the need to recreate the feeling in my home. However, this is the 20th anniversary and it is somethin a bit more special than the other titles, a must have in the collection some will say. Now with that said, comparing the systems, being a Wii owner I'm restricted but with plans on buying a ps3, I truly feel the graphically improvements for once will provide the immersion necessary. Not to take away from the Wii version, call your shots is fantastic, but the damn texture on the fields in the ps3 version is sooo damn fine, it's hard to overlook that. OOh what to do, lol... either way, go Wii let's get some more titles flowing, we're long overdue for good amount of wicked rls.
holmes @ Aug 13th 2008 4:09PM
i love madden, i've bought every version for a nintendo system for probably 5 years now, at least. 2007 on the wii was fun, but 2008 was terrible. completely unplayable. the controls took a huge step back from the 2007 incarnation. in fact, i traded in 2008 months ago because i couldn't stand even looking at it sitting on my shelf.
the major problems happened online. the lag between a controller movement and the action on screen was gigantic. i would get sacked on nearly every play because it took 2-3 secs longer to register a throw.
additionally, on a big 3rd down and 1 yard play, the camera angle would swap to a close 'goal line' shot, requiring you to hit "A" to return to regular view. when i did hit "A", the entire screen was blurry for that play. needless to say, the last thing i need on 3rd and 1 is a blurry screen to make things tougher.
well, i did purchase madden 2009 and i played 2 games offline, and it's a big upgrade. i really, really enjoy playing it. i'm going to try it out online tonight. i'm just praying all of the quirks in 2008 have been worked out for this year.
TWOO DEE @ Aug 13th 2008 4:40PM
PLEASE report back...your comment seems real and I'm actually considering buying this now
Scotty @ Aug 13th 2008 4:53PM
If was to write my own review comment, it would pretty much be everything holmes said. I hated 2008, but I spent all night playing 2009 and can say it's a HUGE improvement, a lot more fun to play.
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 13th 2008 4:12PM
I liked how the mainstream coverage kept commenting on Brett Favre in a Packers uniform. And one station did there Madden 20th anniversary report from Nintendo World Center.
Psy @ Aug 13th 2008 4:18PM
5 bucks* says that GameSpot gives it below an 80.
*I have this much money:
Geoff @ Aug 13th 2008 4:25PM
I think Madden 09 for the Wii is fantastic. While 07 and 08 struck me as a PS2 port with added waggle controls, this new installment is about as Wii-friendly as it gets.
Many people don't seem to realize that All-Play controls can be switched off by simply pressing 1 at the team selection screen, leaving you with the "advanced" controls (which are similar to last year's).
Call Your Shots is fantastic, and would only really work well with the Wii remote, and the Telestrator replays are now available everywhere ... perfect for taunting your friends.
The sparkly Wii graphic flairs and the Mii integration have made living room football at my house fun again, and the online mode performed flawlessly in about a dozen games I've played.
9/10 from me.
sn1per @ Aug 13th 2008 4:45PM
Wow, I might just have to pick up a Madden game after reading your post.
Of course, I'm a Jets fan, so I'll wait till next year, when Favre will be on the Jets roster in game.
Mr Khan @ Aug 13th 2008 4:49PM
Day 1 Roster update includes the Wii version, adds Favre for Jets
Scotty @ Aug 13th 2008 5:03PM
Yeah, I heard the first game you play online downloads a roster list automatically? Haven't tried online yet so can't confirm though. I hope they fix the fact that currently the head coach for the Denver Broncos in Madden is some skinny African American dude and NOT mike shannahan.
jfrdricks63 @ Aug 13th 2008 4:34PM
If anyone is expecting a game up to the calibur of standards on the 360/ps3 graphics wise then they will be sorely dissapointed. It doesn't even have any of the stadium/player intros, just throws you into a stadium already to start a game.
If you like a more polished game then go for either the ps3/360 version. If you want to play madden with a bunch of friends, then the wii version is for you.
Sisyphus @ Aug 13th 2008 4:54PM
Madden 09 definately has much more of an arcade feel. It still has simulation in all the places that count (free agency, draft, stats, ratings), but the action is fast and furious. The throwing mechanics are miles better than 08. It's much easier to do a bullet pass in 09, whereas lob pass require intent, as they should. It's very fluid, the playbooks are organized beautifully (again, much better than 08), call you shots is just damn fun and useful, and it's just plain fun. It's very fluid and intense and the blurry graphical bug from 08 (on 3rd down) is gone.
And in case anyone hadn't noticed, all of the All-Play stuff is optional. Ball tracers, speed boost tracers, simplified controls, etc. It's basically easier to customize to all skill levels, and I think it might actually make it fun to play with my little brother again (myself with normal controls and him with All-Play) while still being competitive. Sometimes, I think people forget that these are games and should be fun above all else.
TWOO DEE @ Aug 13th 2008 4:55PM
restating that the wii isn't a graphical powerhouse TWO years after it's launch is fucking old meme now...please stop
raptorspike @ Aug 13th 2008 5:03PM
Considering I haven't bought a Madden since 2005, I'm probably going to pick this up. I'm glad it didn't end up as horrible as NCAA 09 (which I'm glad I didn't pick up).
Jumbo @ Aug 13th 2008 5:05PM
Can you do online leagues in the Wii version?
If so, HOW?
Sisyphus @ Aug 13th 2008 5:10PM
I don't think so, sorry. Although, it sounds like you're not really missing anything, according to reviews of Madden 09 on PS360. You can't assign computer players to the online leagues, so however many people are in your league are the only teams playing, i.e. you and 4 others online = only 5 teams in the league.
Aaron @ Aug 13th 2008 5:29PM
I own a 360 and a Wii. Haven't bought Madden in 3-4 years because the 360 version is just way to complex to be fun. I don't play enough to get good, I just want to mess around occasionally and play against some friends online.
Should I get the Wii version, the 360 version, or go back and plug in my old Nintendo and play some Super Tecmo Bowl (quite possibly the best footgall game ever)?
Aaron
Sisyphus @ Aug 13th 2008 5:41PM
Tecmo Super Bowl is definately fun, but I'm really liking Madden 09 on the Wii. It's fun. As always, specific difficulty issues can be tailored, but the controls are really immersive once you get the hang of them. And yes, there is a option in the game to have it teach you about football and the Wii controls for Madden.
TWOO DEE @ Aug 16th 2008 12:34PM
buy madden 09 - i think it's an incredibly fun and immersive game with easily the best control scheme for a football game that I've ever used. must warn you tho...the game is kinda ugly (but the animations seem to be updated?), so i hope you're on an sdtv
TWOO DEE @ Aug 16th 2008 12:34PM
that should've been, buy the wii version***
Joe H @ Aug 13th 2008 7:27PM
I agree with the above poster comparing it to the 360/PS3 versions. Its not so much the graphics though, its the fact that almost no effort was put into presentation. Its still the same exact commentary from the past two Wii versions, etc. The screens when you get a touchdown showing the team colors are okay, but they don't make up for that really. If you're expecting it to just look worse than the 360 but have the same style, then you'll be way disappointed. Like he says, it just drops you into the coin toss, no opening animations or anything. It still has the engine from the last generation games as well. I'm not talking about the graphics, but the actual football within the games. It doesn't include any of the new ratings on the 360/PS3 versions, in fact the team ratings are entirely different because of that. The playbooks are still the exact same as the original Xbox had, which means the same cheap plays seem to work just how they always have.
Don't get me wrong, its still a very good game, and if I still only had a Wii, I would be very happy with this, because its got the solid gameplay that 07 had (aka no bugs) with the online features of last year's game (and 5on5 is awesome too). Its just that it doesn't compare to the other versions.
Also, it looks WORSE than last year's Wii version. For example, why the hell did they take out the grass textures entirely it seems. Now it just looks like dark and light green rectangles, as opposed to last year's.
Sisyphus @ Aug 14th 2008 12:17AM
Since they're going for more of an arcade feel, I think the clean and smooth look adds nicely to their intent.
Bill @ Aug 19th 2008 8:30PM
Here are some initial thoughts...
1.) I actually like the graphics on the Wii version this year. The players look good to me and I am enjoying the look of artificial turf on the Vikings home field (haven't seen any others yet).
2.) I'm VERY happy there are no player introductions and fanfare before the coin toss. I always skip that after the first time I see them, so it's no loss for me.
3.) Call Your Shots is very fun and possibly the best addition to Madden ever.
4.) The online play is fast with no noticeable lag.
5.) The AI so far seems pretty darn good, and I'vve found no AI stupidity or spolier plays that can be com pleted most of the time.
6.) The roster update feature is much appreciated.
7.) It is far more difficult online to kick - not sure why that is but it's also happened to me in practice mode sometimes, so it may be something I'm doing.
8.) There are Madden 09 leagues forming for the Wii.
9.) Plenty of modes including superstar, franchise, 5 on 5, practice, mini games and more.
jakkub6 @ Aug 16th 2008 7:58PM
does madden09 have the same gameplay and features as ps3 and360?
miamiheat @ Aug 29th 2008 3:41PM
I'm still loving it more after picking it up on release day!
From all I've seen over on EA's Message Boards, the XBOX 260 and PS3 versions have all kinds of crazy bugs, so this version (and probably the PS2 and Xbox) versions are the better choice at this point, it seems. At least the Wii version has in-game saves...