Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 54
  2. Negative: 0 out of 54
  1. A lineman-sized improvement over last season...The brisk, refined on-the-field play and assortment of playing modes overpower the somewhat choppy online play, the pesky kicking meter and the handful of other nits.
  2. An absolute hit. The newly added defensive controls, offensive abilities (including the highlight stick which might just be the best new feature), and other features add up to a very impressive game and a highlight showcase title for the console.
  3. Single player has never been deeper and more varied, while the online and multiplayer play is just as wonderful as it has always been.
  4. Pretty much an unqualified success. It provides a strong primary gameplay mode, something that's complex and yet easy to get into, while still rounding out the game with enjoyable minigames.
  5. Madden has graced us with the greatest update of the genre since '04, and once you pick up this year's version you can never go back.
  6. The game's animations are incredibly fluid with new and realistic animations for the many catches, throws and tackles.
  7. The players do all look larger than life, but the nuances of the graphics really breathe life into this title and the control scheme – while taking a bit to get used to – works well.
  8. The most obvious addition to the gameplay is lead blocking control. This basically allows you to control another offensive player when the ball is snapped, make a block with that player, and then take control of the runningback. It takes a long time to get the hang of it, but once you do the results can be devastating.
  9. A significant leap from last years version.
  10. Everything we hoped 06 to be and more.
  11. 85
    This is the year EA Sports finally shows 360 owners what the series is all about, the trash talking, the head-to-head competition, the ability to create yourself and become a bigger star than the Seahawk on the box.
  12. But at least gamers on the Xbox 360 get a couple of cool features that others don't get this year like Live Opponent and Madden Gamer Level.
  13. I think that even those that hate on Madden for being too mainstream would find a lot to like about the Superstar mode because of how similar it is to more traditional role-playing fare.
  14. Overall, my recommendation of Madden 07 on the Xbox 360 is conditional – if the items I've presented in the above list aren't game breakers for you, the 360 version is a very worthy heir to the Madden throne.
  15. Overall, this game is your standard Madden, with a standard amount of improvements and beefed up graphics and animations. It looks great, and the new gameplay features make this title well worth the purchase for Madden fans.
  16. While it's a better game than it was last year for the 360, it really isn't THE football video game that we hoped for.
  17. Strides have been made as far as gameplay modes are concerned, but there is still plenty of room to improve the frame rate and online play.
  18. With a bit more attention to in-game fluidity and detail, and the inclusion of core extras such as online leagues and co-op, Madden NFL 07 could have been stellar. It's good for sure, but Madden NFL 07 isn't a lock in this gamer's Hall of Fame.
  19. The Xbox 360 version offers the best presentation out of all these games, quite simply because it probably has the best announcer of all-and his name isn't John Madden or Al Michaels. He remains unnamed, but he's one of those homer-types that we can all live to enjoy.
  20. Yards better than has faltering debut on 360, Johnny M is back. [Dec 2006, p.100]
  21. The new lead blocker control makes running easier, and the passing game and other controls have been tweaked tighter and are more responsive.
  22. A big improvement over the 06 version, but next-gen Madden still has a little way to go.
  23. In the end, Madden NFL 07 is an improvement on the series. With some new running features and an Xbox 360 version worth the price of admission, it seems EA is trying to prove that they still care about improving their game, even without competition.
  24. There is plenty of depth in Madden 07 to make this game a good solid purchase.
  25. The game looks the part, but pieces of it just aren't right. The presentation, for instance, is beautiful, but baffling (the play selection menus are downright terrible). It'll get the starting job eventually, but Madden next-gen, like Bills second-year QB J.P. Losman, still has to bow to the veterans.
  26. Far superior to its predecessor in just about every way, despite some glaring issues that prevent this year's gridiron game from being a true classic. The problem here is that Madden is still in desperate need of a makeover.
  27. 80
    Animations and movements look awesome, gameplay is changed in a good way and the durability is improved by the Live franchise mode and by making your own superstar. If you're a fan of Madden it's a must-have, even though it's not entirely perfect.
  28. Madden 07 marks a turnaround for the franchise on the 360, and that's reason enough for football fans to rejoice. [Oct. 2006, p.77]
  29. There is no sugar coating it: Madden 07 is not the Madden die-hard fans expected. However, it shows big changes overall from last year's version and for that I give the team credit.
  30. It's not flawless, but it's worth the purchase. Until next year, this is as good as its going to get.
  31. Even if you decide to skip all the 'extra' modes like Superstar and Minigames, you'll still get a lot out of Franchise. It never becomes too overwhelming – a problem with many sports games in recent years.
  32. The addition of Superstar mode alone makes Madden a worthy purchase for fans of the series and the online component really seals the deal. If EA can fix the lag and perhaps give next-gen gamers all the same features that their older console brethren have we will certainly be in for a treat.
  33. With Xbox Live play, leagues and mini-games you're never going to be bored - unless you just don't like American football. [Nov 2006, p.100]
  34. EA's challenge is not to simplify their simulation or stop adding detail, but to integrate those features so well that players can simply marvel at how advanced the game has become. The Superstar revisions are a step in the right direction, since they allow players to focus on the entire game one player at a time, but otherwise that's just not the case.
  35. 80
    The Superstar mode alone is almost worth the price of admission, although we wouldn't mind seeing it fleshed out just a bit more before next year's game.
  36. It's vicious, nutritious, and undeniably delicious, and you absolutely have to buy it immediately. Not only does it look gorgeous splayed across an HDTV, but it plays better than its predecessors.
  37. Madden NFL 07 is a marked improvement over the previous 360 version, but some design quirks and missing features prevent it from being the system's first great football game.
  38. I feel what we have here is a lot of spectacle that doesn't stand up well to the scrutiny. [Oct. 2006, p.104]
  39. While the new lead blocker and Superstar modess aren't going to light the world on fire the actual football in the game is excellent. It is hard not to feel that you're playing an updated version up "NCAA07" though.
  40. Do you like football games? If the answer is yes, then purchase it, if the answer is no, then dont.
  41. As you'd expect, another year of learning the ins and outs of the 360 has translated into the developers producing a more polished brand of football. [Oct. 2006, p.107]
  42. 77
    We gave this title a high score the first run simply because of its presentation aspects, but hindering gameplay nuisances, bugs, and content absences will continue to keep the series from truly earning its famed status.
  43. 75
    It's not half bad. Not stellar, but not half bad.
  44. Playing Madden NFL 07 on Xbox 360 is like playing "Madden NFL 2002" with next-gen graphics. The drive falls well short of a touchdown, even now!
  45. As always, all you're paying for here are some minor updates, a couple of simplistic new modes, and that new season / franchise data. Unless you're an absolute addict, there's no need for this game. If you are an absolute addict, there are better games out there.
  46. There may not be a huge market for Madden over here, but when the sport is made this easy to pick up and play, just about anybody will be able to jump straight in and get their money's worth.
  47. The major issue plaguing Madden 07 is this: at it's most basic, there is no fatigue whatsoever. After the excellent implementation of fatigue in "NCAA Football 07," it's a mystery why this fundamental aspect of football is absent from the pro version.
  48. 70
    Taking manual control of the defensive secondary is a losing proposition. Neither the swat nor intercept moves respond intuitively to the buttons, and the new smoother animations seem to come with the penalty of making it harder to figure out what the right place is to make your move.
  49. It's still the same old Madden, emphasis on old. The mini-games are fun, but next time focus on fixing those bugs and giving us some more meat, OK guys?
  50. It's Matt Leinart pretty, but lacks the gameplay polish found on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
  51. While the series is definitely far from its prime, it manages to prove once again that EA and Madden know a good game of football, just not a very new one.
  52. As far as this game rates versus my expectations of a football game on the 360, it is a major disappointment. I expected more – online leagues, prior generation features brought to the 360 as well as the eye candy. I only got the eye candy.
  53. If the fatigue bug had been fixed the way EA promised it would be, and the game had the same options that other versions had, I'd give the game the same score I gave last year's version: a 7. As it stands, with the lack of features, the lack of innovation with the game play and the higher price tag; I don't feel comfortable giving this game anything higher than a 5.
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 99
  2. Negative: 39 out of 99
  1. JohnnyHoge
    1
    I have faithfully played madden since it came out. It is sad to say but madden 07 stinks it does sorry number 10 voters. Ok the super graphics everyone likes is a load of bs, every time my guy runs in the rain or snow it glitches gets tackled with 5 or more guys around glitches, when I say glitches its like there body movements aren't right like they were running on ice or there body just didn't look like it should run that way, come on now. Now the 2nd thing, in all the madden games I've played the most fun i had was creating my own players i would erase the whole steelers team and make my own, yeah guess what you have to get a madden gamer level of 30 to make your QB what thats ok it seems cool, now that I make my QB i can't make himm 99 in some aspects i have to buy sucky guys off the free agents list to get a 99 rating because my WR cant outrun the ROLB or the SS screw that and how come my guys muscles are so small i had the highest setting they could go on they were like toothpicks. Then I made myself heavier still the same sticks. I hope 09 is better and the reason I played madden was for my team which I made all the names myself, hearing madden MC my plays, and going through 15 years of franchise with my players so seriously madden please bring the power back to the people you make the game for. And if those guys giving 10s over and over with only 1 liner sentences do work for madden you should be ashamed. And the only reason I give it a 1 is to hope that scares the heck out of madden and show some hope that they might make a good game again. Full Review »
  2. MattFarrow
    7
    Good american football game. Being british, i'm not a great fan of the game, but I love playing madden. This game gives me everything I would require from the sport. Great fun on live and leaves me no reason to buy the next in the series. My girlfriend bought me this game as an anniversary present about a year ago, and to be honest, it will stay on my shelf for as long as my 360 does. It gets played on rainy days. Full Review »
  3. JoeM.
    3
    I actually thought this game was pretty good when i got it ...then as i went throughout the features i was dissipionted, i mean you cant even create a team which is a fun features to me only being 13...i think that the xbox 360 producers are lazy as helll every year i keep saying to myself that maybe they'll bring back the features from the ps2 maddens ..those were what every body liked ...good gamplay, amzing/alot features, and the fun of the game .....bring all of it back . and this whole deal with the superatr mode ...y cant i pick my own play ....i think that ea took away all of our control in this game...i mean last years madden for the 360 ..y even bring it out ...that was the most aweful game ive ever experienced.....i think ea needs to get off there a** and do some more work Full Review »