Madden NFL 09 Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critics What's this?

User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 118 Ratings

  • Summary: For passionate Madden NFL fans, this year's iteration promises to take authenticity and depth of gameplay to an entirely new level with more than 85 new features and enhancements, including the all-new Virtual Trainer tutorial mode. Utilizing a holographic environment, this mode teaches gamers simple concepts about playing football and how to use the controls in quick, fun and stylized drills. In Madden NFL 09, the game engine is continually assessing the player's performance and adapst a custom experience to every type of gamer, from newcomer to the veteran Madden NFL player. Madden NFL 09 also features a network-inspired broadcast presentation. Players benefit from the authentic football knowledge of an in-booth play-by-play and color commentary team featuring Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond. In addition, numerous graphical enhancements have been made, including realistic weather and grass, sleeker player models and exterior stadium views. Madden NFL 09 gives gamers the ability to create online leagues. Avid Madden NFL fans can now take their rivalries online and compete in leagues with up to 32 teams. Online league play features in-depth stat tracking, player trades and a flexible scheduling option. [Electronic Arts] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 50
  2. Negative: 0 out of 50
  1. 100
    The new commentating team, Backtrack replays, soundtrack, and improved graphics really packs that extra punch of realism making this game a must buy.
  2. 100
    The mud-caked Slop Bowls, bustling sidelines, and significantly varied player physiques mean that Madden 09's finally lived up to EA's next-gen target video from three years ago that -- for three years -- looked way better than the games themselves.
  3. Madden NFL 09 is a competent addition to this twenty year franchise, and perhaps the best that Tiburon has to offer for the Xbox 360. But one has to wonder why issues such as unnecessary clipping, framerate/loading issues and the lack of full Live functionality are still around three years into the 360’s console cycle.
  4. Like most EA Sports releases, Madden 09 is a good re-entry point for anyone who's skipped a few years, but less than essential for anyone who picked up last year's edition. The changes may be numerous, but few feel essential and you're always aware that many of them will be back next year, in a further refined form.

See all 50 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 33
  2. Negative: 18 out of 33
  1. wesdean
    10
    Madden 09 is honestly the best yet. the great graphics compliment the superior gameplay with better camera angles that make seeing the field much easier. however, the game is more appealing to online players than those without Live. Little has been done to Franchise or superstar modes but the new madden moments can keep players occupied. Regardless, Madden 09 is a great buy Expand
  2. MohS.
    8
    Alright, I'll be honest, this madden is an improvement, but nothing will top the 2k sports games. NBA 2k9 is way better than NBA live 09. ESPN 2k5, way better than madden 05,06,07,08,09. That is real serious. I mean it's the best nfl game out there, thats because its the only one. NCAA 09 is better than this game. I just love it because i love football, and i love smashing on cats in this game. Expand
  3. Jason
    6
    I only buy the Madden games every other year, since I don't think they change enough from one year to the next to warrant purchase each year. But this year, with Madden 09, I was severely disappointed. A lot of the "improvements" EA was boasting about ended up either being disappointing or frustrating. Running in the game is a lot harder (which can be good for people who like that extra challenge), the skill-building challenges in the game seemed to be "off" from Madden 07 (especially the weight-lifting drill), and the "Madden Test" which determines your skill is either ridiculously easy, or ridiculously hard. For example, the running drill has you run, but gives you the button you're supposed to press to break away (which makes anyone who is familiar with the 360 controller able to get All-Pro or All-Madden skill level, even though they're not really there...) and in some passing drills, you take the role of a linebacker in a limited range of motion (usually not beyond a couple yards from your starting position) and you have to rush the quarterback, who has a blocker and releases the ball within a couple of seconds anyway. I tried the Create-A-Superstar using both a quarterback and a running-back, and the quarterback was way more satisfying, especially since you can run for more yards as a scrambling QB than you can as a HB... But I miss the "genetics" of Madden 07 and don't like the "Type" configuration of the players either. And for the love of Pete, please get rid of the e-mails in the Create-A-Superstar mode... they're annoying and don't contribute anything to the game. Collapse
  4. Jim
    4
    When you and your friend have more fun playing the "Madden Test" drills against each other rather than playing the actual game, does that say something about how the game plays? Expand

See all 33 User Reviews