Madden NFL 06 (Xbox 360)

Well.. another year brings another madden game out. Now, as the years have shown, not much has been added to each madden game as it progressed through the years. Just the teams stats grow or diminish. Well this year was different.

The new Madden 06 has transformed itself into an amazing new game worthy of the name Madden and of the exclusive NFL licence!

On Starting the game up, I felt good about this one, just a hunch but i felt good. The startup was basically the same with the EA logo and some random player/fan/cheerleader giving kudos to EA but then i skipped to the menu. No big difference there, the menu being the same, you get categories and then sub-categories.

Then I clicked on game modes and found the illustrious NFL Superstar Mode. I started eagerly to see what it was like.. Nothing I have ever seen before. You choose parents and from their traits you make a superstar out of their child. I mean, wow, which game has ever let you choose your own parents randomly and created a child out of it to be an NFL superstar? None I'd gather.

After choosing parents you get to do the demographics and choose appearance etc. Then you choose an agent, and get drafted by a team. I thought it was boring at first but once you really get into it it's addictive.

Another great feature is the Truckstick, Like the hitstick from 2k5 but for offensive players.. Brilliant new feature methinks

The graphics on this newer version of Madden are fantastic, you can even make out the veins on the players arms if they are especially muscular. They are so sharp and, as usual, you can set it as high or as low as you'd like. And the gameplay is absolutely awesome! It feels as if you are on the field and you are really playing in front of 70,000 fans cheering you on. It's so smooth and the plays run like a dream.

The downfall to it is that it does still lack realism. For example, when a RB runs into s wall of players he can just stand there running for a bit befor he's tackled. But this doesn't bring it down. Oh No!

The soundtrack is also what you'd expect from an EA game, major artists slamming backing music into the game, very listenable.. Nice work!

Overall This game is brilliant and I'm addicted to it at the moment.. I really can't get enough! Buy it if you get the chance!