Madden NFL 08 is a 2007 American football sports video game developed primarily by EA Tiburon and published by EA Sports. Based on the National Football League (NFL), it is the 2007 entry in the Madden NFL series. EA marketed the game around a new "Read and React" system, which used on-field skill icons—called "weapons"—to identify individual player strengths and possible matchups; the game also added Hit Stick 2.0 and a branching animation system for tackles and catches.[5]

Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young appears on the North American cover.[6] The game was released in North America on August 14, 2007, for Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, Xbox, GameCube, Microsoft Windows, and mobile phones.[5][1] A Mac OS X version followed after EA delayed its planned August release.[3] A Spanish-language version, with San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo on the cover and ESPN Deportes announcer Álvaro Martín providing commentary, was released for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 in December 2007.[7]

The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions received generally favorable reviews, while other versions received mixed to generally favorable reviews. According to EA, Madden NFL 08 sold 4.5 million copies in the quarter ending September 30, 2007, making it EA's best-performing title for that quarter.[8]

Release

EA announced Young as the game's North American cover athlete on April 18, 2007; the company said he was the youngest player to appear on a Madden cover at that time.[6] At launch, EA described the game as available on ten platforms in North America.[5] Earlier in 2007, Apple had announced that Madden NFL 08 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 would ship simultaneously with their PC counterparts as part of EA's return to Mac gaming.[2] After the other versions launched in August, EA told AppleInsider that the Mac OS X version had been pushed to September or October.[3]

The Spanish-language edition was announced in October 2007 and released for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 on December 11, 2007. It featured Spanish-language commentary by Álvaro Martín and cover art with Luis Castillo.[7] EA reported on November 1, 2007, that Madden NFL 08 had sold 4.5 million copies and was the company's best-performing title for the quarter ending September 30, 2007.[8]

Gameplay

Madden NFL 08 is an NFL football simulation in which players control teams through exhibition games, season play, franchise modes and online multiplayer. Its central new feature is the Read and React system, known in-game as "weapons". Star players can receive icons identifying specialties such as Smart Quarterback, Possession Receiver, Spectacular Catch Receiver and Shutdown Corner; the system can also be disabled in the settings.[9][5] The icons are intended to highlight matchup advantages before the snap and make star players more distinct on the field.[9]

Hit Stick 2.0 allows players to deliver high or low tackles by moving the analog stick up or down.[10] The game also added a branching animation system for outcomes such as mid-air collisions, one-handed catches, sideline catches, hurdles and gang tackles.[10][5] A revised fatigue system makes repeated scrambling by quarterbacks less effective and can also affect teams playing in extreme weather conditions.[11][10]

Modes and platform differences

In Superstar Mode, players can create a player, use select rookies from the 2007 NFL draft or import a player from NCAA Football 08's Campus Legend mode.[9] Unlike previous versions in which core attributes were generated through fictional parents, key attributes are assigned during character creation.[12] The game also includes a trophy room for completing in-game tasks and allows trophies to be wagered in online head-to-head games; high-level players can earn customizable EA Challenge rings.[11]

Several modes and options returned after being absent from earlier high-definition console entries, including Owner Mode, fantasy draft, roster editing and cooperative play.[11] The PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube versions include Fantasy Challenge, in which players build a roster and compete through a series of increasingly difficult leagues.[12] The Wii version includes online play, a first for Madden on a Nintendo console, along with Mii integration and exclusive game modes.[13]

Presentation and music

On the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, former NFL running back and Madden NFL 2003 cover athlete Marshall Faulk appears in a pregame segment called Marshall's Minute, which previews key players and predicts the score.[11] EA announced a 27-song EA Trax soundtrack in June 2007, including songs by artists such as Mims, Queens of the Stone Age, Daddy Yankee, Atreyu and Datarock.[14]

Reception

According to Metacritic, the Xbox 360 version received the strongest aggregate score, 85/100, followed by the PlayStation 3 version at 81/100; the remaining listed platforms ranged from 71/100 for the DS version to 78/100 for the PlayStation 2 version.[32][28][24][27] Reviewing the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions, GameSpot praised the weapons system, control scheme, Franchise-mode depth and animations, while criticizing excessive fumbles, weak audio design, limited online additions and the lower PlayStation 3 frame rate.[44]

GameSpot was less positive about the PC release, describing it as a solid but overly familiar football game and criticizing the absence of some content found in other versions, including Fantasy Challenge.[70] Games for Windows gave the PC version five out of ten.[71] IGN gave the mobile phone version 8/10, praising its new passing controls and roster/stat options.[1]

Legacy

The GameCube version was identified by Game Informer as the console's final North American retail release.[72]

The Windows version was the series' final PC release until Madden NFL 19 in 2018. During the hiatus, the PC version developed a modding community that continued to produce updated and historical rosters.[73]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Buchanan, Levi (August 22, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (Cell)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Cook, Brad. "Six Major Titles Herald EA's Triumphant Return to the Mac". Apple Inc. Archived from the original on August 21, 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Marsal, Katie (August 16, 2007). "EA backtracking on claims of simultaneous Mac game releases". AppleInsider. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 Release Information for PlayStation 3". GameFAQs. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "EA SPORTS' Madden NFL 08 Hits Retail Stores Nationwide" (Press release). Electronic Arts. August 14, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  6. 1 2 "NFL Rookie of the Year Vince Young Selected for Cover of EA Sports' Madden NFL 08" (Press release). Electronic Arts. April 18, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Sinclair, Brendan (October 16, 2007). "Madden goes multilingual". GameSpot. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "EA Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Results" (PDF) (Press release). Electronic Arts. November 1, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 Robinson, Jon (May 18, 2007). "Five Things You Need to Know About Madden 08". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 Miller, Jonathan (April 27, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 First Look". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Miller, Jonathan (May 18, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Navarro, Alex (August 20, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (GC, PS2, Xbox)". GameSpot. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  13. ↑ Bozon, Mark; Casamassina, Matt (June 11, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Wii Interview". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  14. ↑ "EA Sports Scores with Madden NFL 08 Music Soundtrack" (Press release). Electronic Arts. June 28, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for DS". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for GameCube". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for PlayStation 3". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for PSP". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for Wii". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for Xbox". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for Xbox 360". GameRankings. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  24. 1 2 "Madden NFL 08 for DS Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  27. 1 2 "Madden NFL 08 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  28. 1 2 "Madden NFL 08 for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for PSP Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for Wii Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  32. 1 2 "Madden NFL 08 for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  33. 1 2 "Madden NFL 08 (PS3, X360)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. October 2007. p. 90.
  34. ↑ Lahti, Evan (September 4, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 (Xbox 360)". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  35. 1 2 Kato, Matthew (September 2007). "Madden NFL 08 (PS3, X360)". Game Informer. No. 173. Archived from the original on January 30, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 (Wii)". Game Informer. No. 174. October 2007. p. 122.
  37. ↑ Spoticus (August 15, 2007). "Review: Madden NFL '08 (Wii)". GamePro. Archived from the original on August 26, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  38. ↑ Lunchbox (August 14, 2007). "Review: Madden NFL '08 (X360)". GamePro. Archived from the original on August 27, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  39. ↑ Andrien, Chris (August 21, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 – PS2". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  40. 1 2 Andrien, Chris (August 21, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 (PS3, Wii)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  41. ↑ Andrien, Chris (August 21, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (X360)". Game Revolution. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  42. ↑ Provo, Frank (August 22, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (DS)". GameSpot. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  43. ↑ Navarro, Alex (August 22, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (PC)". GameSpot. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  44. 1 2 3 Navarro, Alex (August 13, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (PS3, X360)". GameSpot. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  45. ↑ Navarro, Alex (August 16, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (PSP)". GameSpot. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  46. ↑ Navarro, Alex (August 14, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (Wii)". GameSpot. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  47. ↑ Villoria, Gerald (August 14, 2007). "GameSpy: Madden NFL 08 (PS3)". GameSpy. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  48. ↑ Villoria, Gerald (August 29, 2007). "GameSpy: Madden NFL 08 (Wii)". GameSpy. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  49. ↑ Villoria, Gerald (August 14, 2007). "GameSpy: Madden NFL 08 (X360)". GameSpy. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  50. 1 2 "Madden NFL 08 Review (PS3, X360)". GameTrailers. August 11, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  51. ↑ Hopper, Steven (August 22, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 – PS3 – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  52. ↑ Aceinet (August 22, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 – PSP – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  53. ↑ Knutson, Michael (August 21, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review – Wii". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  54. ↑ Knutson, Michael (September 6, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 – 360 – Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  55. ↑ Bozon, Mark (August 15, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (NDS)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  56. ↑ Haynes, Jeff (August 14, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (GCN)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  57. ↑ Haynes, Jeff (August 14, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (PS2)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  58. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (August 13, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (PS3)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  59. ↑ Haynes, Jeff (August 14, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (PSP)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  60. ↑ Bozon, Mark (August 13, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (Wii)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  61. ↑ Haynes, Jeff (August 14, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (Xbox)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  62. ↑ Goldstein, Hilary (August 13, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (X360)". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  63. 1 2 "Madden NFL 08". Nintendo Power. Vol. 220. October 2007. p. 87.
  64. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 (Xbox)". Official Xbox Magazine. October 2007. p. 81.
  65. ↑ "Madden NFL 08 (X360)". Official Xbox Magazine. October 2007. p. 80.
  66. ↑ "Madden NFL 08". PC Gamer: 62. December 2007.
  67. 1 2 "Review: Madden NFL 08". PSM. November 2007. p. 81.
  68. 1 2 Zuniga, Todd (August 20, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 (PS3, X360)". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on October 19, 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  69. ↑ Herold, Charles (August 16, 2007). "Madden on the Wii: Fun Even for Nonenthusiasts [sic]". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  70. ↑ Navarro, Alex (August 22, 2007). "Madden NFL 08 Review (PC)". GameSpot. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  71. ↑ Zuniga, Todd (October 2007). "Madden NFL 08: Behind the Times". Games for Windows: The Official Magazine (11): 68.
  72. ↑ Ryckert, Dan (March 29, 2012). "Last Stand: The Final Games Of The Biggest Consoles". Game Informer. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  73. ↑ Barboza, William (October 12, 2018). "The Modders Keeping Madden '08 Alive". IGN. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_NFL_08