Madden NFL 10

Madden NFL 10
Madden NFL 10 box cover with Gabe "The Hammer" Newell and Jackie Chan
Developer(s)	EA Tiburon
Publisher(s)	EA Sports
Series	Madden NFL
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Atari 2600, Nintendo 64, Wii, Xbox 360, iOS
Genre(s)	American football simulation

Madden NFL 10 is an American football video game based on the National Football League that was published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon. It is the 21st annual installment in the handegg video game franchise. It will be released on August 13, 2013 in Australia and was released on August 14, 2009 in the United States for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii and Xbox 360 consoles, as well as mobile devices. It was released for the iOS on September 10 through the App Store.

New features

Gameplay

All features apply to the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, unless otherwise noted below.

• PRO-TAK – New animation technology that allows up to nine players to be involved in tackles, ability to steer tackles and a more realistic pocket around the QB.
• Fight for the Fumble (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP) – A fumble pile-up that triggers when a fumble occurs near two players. To gain possession, the user must press a series of buttons that appear on the screen.
• New Ratings Philosophy – Ratings have been re-scaled for a more noticeable difference between players, and new ratings such as Throw accuracy deep, medium, short, and throw on run and many more, make players styles more realistic.
• Sim Style Gameplay – Game speed has been reduced for a more realistic, life like experience.
• Player Momentum – More realistic acceleration, deceleration, planting & turn rates.
• Quarterback Improvements – Layered blending, new QB ratings and more realistic QB dropback animations.
• WR/DB Interaction – Improved route running and coverage.
• Design Your Own Plays (PSP) – Players can create custom plays and formations, then upload them directly to a PlayStation 3.

Presentation

File:MaddeniPhone.png

A screenshot of the iOS version of Madden NFL 10 available for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. This shot features the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans, with the player controlling Steelers linebacker James Farrior with the virtual analog joystick in the bottom lefthand corner.

• Procedural Awareness – System which allows each player to realistically follow the ball using head, eyes, neck and shoulders.
• Depth of Field – All new system which will not only improve the visual quality of the game but will allow a more realistic broadcast experience.
• New Injury System – Injury status/severity is delayed instead of immediate for more suspense and realism, all new animations with trainers and injury carts are shown, players playing injured have their ratings affected negatively and are at chance of re-injuring themselves.
• The Extra Point – A weekly wrap-up show with Tony Danza and Alex Flanagan in franchise mode.
• Halftime/Postgame Show – Recaps stats and highlights with Alex Flanagan.
• Super Bowl Presentation – United States Air Force Thunderbirds and National Anthem, along with Super Bowl patches for jerseys and team specific endzones, sidelines and midfield logos.
• Cutscenes – Multiple pre/post play cutscenes along with camera angles such as coaches on the sidelines and quarterbacks talking on the phone.
• New announcers (PSP, PS2, Wii) – The PSP, PS2, and Wii versions of the game received new announcers in Tom Hammond and Cris Collinsworth. They replaced Al Michaels and John Madden.
• Chain gang – The chain gang comes out on a close call for a first down. If it's not a successful first down, the referee will signal how much is left. If it's successful, the referee will point to the team's endzone, just like in real life.

Other

• Superstar Mode – Made more simple. Aspects such as messages and interviews were removed.

• Improved Franchise Mode – Improved progression and regression, offseason signing logic, draft logic (players will be picked on needs of the team) and pre-created draft classes and more. Includes the new "Extra Point".
• New Creation Features – New accessories such as QB towels, additional facemasks, handwarmers, new gloves, arm bands and more.
• Addition of the Wildcat offense (Xbox 360, PS3,PSP, PS2, Wii) – Players can now run the wildcat offense.
• Signature QB throwing-style animations – Signature throwing styles for quarterbacks, only quarterbacks who are the default starting or top drafted quarterbacks in the game.
• Signature Kicking Styles – Different kicking styles.
• Uncomfortable Groping – When lined up, players will be prompted to "rub up on" one another excessively to allow the most realistic game experience.
• Uniforms – Ability to mix-n-match uniforms with a 3D preview of the uniform while editing. Allowing players to customize team jerseys.
• Accelerated Clock – Automatic runoff of time from the clock after the huddle. Returned from the Windows version of Madden 2008. Similar to Chew Clock in NCAA Football 10.
• Cheat codes (Wii) – For the first time since Madden NFL 2002, a cheat code system is in place to unlock content such as franchise mode and the Super Bowl XLIV stadium.

Cover

For the first time in the Madden NFL series, the cover features a black player: Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. Both players participated in Super Bowl XLIII. On the Wii version of the game, several Cardinals players can be noticed in the background.

In the NFL Kickoff game against the Tennessee Titans, Polamalu sprained his MCL while blocking a field goal attempt, causing him to miss a majority of the season. Polamalu's injury has been linked to the continuation of the popular Madden Curse that plagues players immediately after gracing the cover of Madden.

Roster updates

Rooster updates were released almost every week during the 2009 football season and are required to play online. They are basically changes to team depth charts and player statistical updates.

Players on Injured Reserve still can be used in ranked games.

Michael Vick and Brett Favre were originally not placed in the rosters for the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, due to various reasons. In order to receive the characters, the user must have an internet connection and update their rosters online with their specific console, either Xbox Live or Playstation Online Network. For Xbox users, it is not needed to have a paid online Gold account, one can still get the roster updates with the free online Silver account.

Soundtrack

Unlike previous editions, the soundtrack features older songs.

Madden NFL 2010 Soundtrack
Artist	Song
2Pac	"Can’t C Me"
Airbourne	"Heads Are Gonna Roll"
Alice in Chains	"Them Bones"
B.o.B	"Created a Monster"
Bang Camaro	"Revolution"
Beastie Boys	"Sabotage"
Black Sabbath	"Paranoid"
Cypress Hill	"Get 'Em Up"
Helmet	"Unsung"
Iron Maiden	"Aces High"
Judas Priest	"Painkiller"
Kid Rock	"I Am the Bullgod"
Killswitch Engage	"Reckoning"
Korn	"Blind"
Mastodon	"Divinations"
Nas featuring Puff Daddy	"Hate Me Now"
Nirvana	"Breed"
Pantera	"Walk"
Public Enemy	"Shut 'Em Down"
Rage Against the Machine	"Guerrilla Radio"
Set Your Goals	"Gaia Bleeds (Make Way for Man)"
Slipknot	"Duality"
System of a Down	"Sugar"
The Vanity Plan	"Before I Die"
Young Dre The Truth	"Cheah Beah"
Insane Clown Posse	"Miracles" )2009 pre-release ver.
Prodigy	"Smack my Bitch Up"
Lazy Town	"You are a Pirate"

Reception

Reviews

Review scores

Publication	Score
1Up.com	B+
Game Informer	8.75/10
GamePro	4.5/5
GameSpot	7.5/10
GameTrailers	8.8/10
GameZone	8.5/10
IGN	Xbox 360/PS3 8.9/10 Wii 8.2/10 PS2 7.3/10
TeamXbox	9/10
X-Play	4/5
Operation Sports	9.0/10

The review aggregate site, Metacritic, rates the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions 86/100 based on 26 reviews. IGN.com awarded Madden NFL 10 a score of 8.9 out of 10 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. Reviewer Nate Ahearn praised the game's gameplay and presentation, stating it's "as close as you'll come to playing on Sundays". One noted drawback of this year's version was the commentary, which needs "serious work before hitting the gridiron next season".

IGN.com also awarded Madden NFL 10 a score of 7.3 out of 10 for the PlayStation 2 version. Reviewer Nate Ahearn praised the game's small additions and improvements, stating "It seems like Madden NFL 10 got a bit more attention than Madden NFL 09 as far as PS2 development goes. There certainly isn’t a bevy of new frills to entertain you, but the additions that are here help to push things forward ever so slightly."

IGN.com scored Madden NFL 10 a score of 8.2 out of 10 for the Wii version. Reviewer Mark Bozon sums up the game's gameplay and presentation, stating "Madden 10 isn’t a bad game by any means; it’s just a whole new breed of football game on Wii, and one that some players aren’t going to prefer over classic Madden."

Gamespot.com awarded Madden NFL 10 a score of 7.5 out of 10 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. Reviewer Giancarlo Varanini sums up the game stating "A number of features make Madden NFL 10 a more realistic and enjoyable portrayal of football, but a few problems—both old and new—continue to trouble the series."

Gamespot.com awarded Madden NFL 10 a score of 6.5 out of 10 for the Wii version. Reviewer Giancarlo Varanini sums up the game stating "The result is an experience that's fun the first few times around—provided you can consistently play with friends—but lacks the longevity to keep football fans coming back."

AFL Legacy Pack

In light of the 50th Anniversary celebration of the American Football League this year, on September 24 the AFL Legacy Pack became available as downloadable content on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 560 points and the PlayStation Network for $6.99.

The pack includes throwback uniforms for the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots (Boston Patriots), Tennessee Titans (Houston Oilers), San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs (Dallas Texans), Denver Broncos, and New York Jets (Titans of New York), In addition, games can be played in a classic AFL film grain broadcast camera, referee uniforms are AFL-style orange throwbacks and the team logos on field are old-school. The AFL Legacy Pack also provides a new set of AFL specific Madden Moments and AFL Legacy Pack specific achievements with a 150 point total gain.

Madden Ultimate Team

Madden Ultimate Team is a downloadable game mode released on January 7, 2010. In this mode, users are able to build a team by purchasing player packs. These packs are purchased with coins that are earned by winning a game, scoring a touchdown etc. They can also be purchased with real money through the user's PlayStation Network or Xbox Live accounts. As the user gains more coins, they are able to buy better packs of players, eventually building their "Ultimate Team".

Madden NFL Arcade

EA Sports released Madden NFL Arcade as a downloadable title through the PSN Store and Xbox Live Marketplace networks on November 24 and November 25 respectively. The game costs $14.99 or 1200 MS Points. The game is a five-on-five arcade style football game similar to Midway's NFL Blitz, featuring all 32 NFL teams and stadiums.

The game features "Game Changers", which are similar to NFL Street's "Game Breakers". There are 13 Game Changers, with players having the opportunity to gain a Game Breaker prior to every play, and are able to use it at that instant or retain for later use.

The Xbox Achievements were announced with a total of 12 achievements and a 200 points total gain.

External links

• Official website
• Smartyweb! review of Madden NFL 10
• GiantBomb review
• Madden NFL 10 at IMDb