Madden NFL 10 (Wii) Review

Reviewing the Madden games is a tricky prospect for most people in Australia. With NFL barely beeping on the radar, it has always been a trial to not only learn a videogame, but also to understand the basic concepts of the game it is fashioned on. Thankfully, however, Madden for Wii does an excellent job of making the game accessible for those unfamiliar with American football. Like past iterations as well, the Wii version has excellent controls that are very easy to pick up and play, with enough depth for those who want to learn more about the game.

Madden has always controlled very well on Wii, and the 2010 version is no exception. As per usual with EA Sports games on Wii, the game can be played with just the Wiimote, or more advanced controls can be used after plugging in the nunchuk. Unless you have a shortage of nunchuks, there’s no real reason not to use it, as the increased control given is invaluable, and the controls themselves are very intuitive.

Player movement is handled with the analog stick, with B used to sprint, the dpad to stiff arm, and the Z button to juke, or sidestep. After a couple of minutes you’ll get used to the controls and be splitting defensive lines wide open with ease. It really is a toss-up as to which sports game on Wii has better controls, Madden or PES. Both highlight just how good a sports game can translate to Wii, and take what was previously a complicated setup and distil it down into an intuitive package. New players will have no problems picking up the controls and being competitive with a seasoned pro, and that’s the way it should be.

An option I really enjoy in Madden games is the way the play book is broken down – it really gives an option for everyone. Absolute beginners can use the “Ask Madden” option to be presented with one play option, whilst those a little more knowledgeable can select a play by type (running/passing) or formation. I tend to use Ask Madden on defence, especially for kick returns when sometimes an onside kick can catch you off guard, and by play type when on offence, as this gives more control over what style of play to run.

The call your play option is also a nice feature, allowing you to tweak your receivers runs before the play starts. This can be used to good effect to modify existing plays to give your quarterback a few more passing options.

New this season in Madden is a graphical style that deviates from past effort’s realistic tone to a more exaggerated and cartoonish look, akin to EA’s other Wii sports title, Grand Slam Tennis. Whilst I’m not sure as to why EA have gone this route, the graphics don’t really detract from the experience, and soon you probably won’t even notice the change, as the underlying game mechanics are the same.

In addition to solid controls, there are also a pleasing number of game modes available, with something for every situation. Whether you want to take a team all the way through a season, or just fire up a mini-game with your friends, there’s something here for you. When you combine these mini-games with the pick up and play controls, you’ve got a perfect party game that can be enjoyed by lots of people; this makes it a viable alternative to Smash Bros. in the party scene.

It is notable, however, that the season mode is significantly pared down, only allowing you to play the games, and not really to manage your lists, trade players, and the like. This might not be a big thing for casual NFL fans, but those who want a deeper experience might feel a bit left out.

When I first reviewed Madden 2007 for Wii, one aspect that impressed me the most was how fluid the interface was, and how it allowed for item selection with the dpad, analog stick, or Wiimote pointer. Unfortunately, the latest version of Madden has what can only be described as a shambolic interface. The main screen can only be navigated with the pointer, and settings are made by clicking on the EA logo, which has no real indicators that it can be selected. The online area has a totally different interface, as does the save/load screens. It really does seem like the interface was the last thing thought about and came together without too many focus group meetings, and I would recommend for EA to go back to a much simpler, streamlined interface like was featured in earlier Madden games.

Madden 2010 is a very solid game, and after an initial learning curve, a very enjoyable one. As I mentioned in my review for the 2007 version, this is a great game for sports fans because it makes getting into NFL very easy. The well organised playbooks and Ask Madden features mean NFL novices can put together good plays straight off the bat, while the enjoyable multiplayer modes will make this game a party favourite. If you’ve already got a Madden game on Wii, is this years version worth it? Probably not. The upgrades are incremental at best, and unless you desperately want the upgraded rosters, there isn’t enough new here for casual NFL fans to warrant picking up the latest version.

Graphics 7.0

Solid art style. The cartoon look doesnt affect the gameplay.

Gameplay 8.0

An excellent implementation of Wii controls once again. EA have continued to excel with their NFL games on Wii.

Sound 7.0

Serviceable. The commentary is excellent as usual, but nothing else really stands out. Very diverse soundtrack.

Tilt 7.0

Great multiplayer modes and online extends the life of the game, however the stripped down franchise mode is disappointing.

Value 8.0

I really enjoy the Madden games on Wii. As a big sports fan, I love playing sports videogames, and the Madden for Wii games have always presented the unfamiliar world of American Football in way that makes very accessible and enjoyable.