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Madden NFL 07

EMAIL PRINTxbox360

6.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 54 critic reviews
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Based on 137 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: EA Tiburon

Genre(s): Sports, Football

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: August 22, 2006

Summary

With the exclusive video game license of the NFL and its players, and currently in its 17th installment, Madden NFL 07 puts you in control the running game like never before. For the first time ever, step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, and then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers as you fight for every yard. Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs. [Electronic Arts]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Madden NFL 06 Madden NFL 2003 Madden NFL 2004 Madden NFL 2005

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Guide GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Detroit Free Press

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.

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100

GamePro

A visual masterpiece.

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Gaming Illustrated

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.

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Gamezilla!

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.

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Cheat Code Central

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.

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PGNx Media

The game’s animations are incredibly fluid with new and realistic animations for the many catches, throws and tackles.

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AceGamez

Single player has never been deeper and more varied, while the online and multiplayer play is just as wonderful as it has always been.

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GameZone

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.

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GameTrailers

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.

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Da Gameboyz

A significant leap from last years version.

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Talk Xbox

Everything we hoped 06 to be and more.

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eToychest

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.

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IGN

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.

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Next Level Gaming

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.

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AtomicGamer

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.

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Game Over Online

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.

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GamingTrend

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.

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Console Gameworld

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.

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Gaming Age

The new lead blocker control makes running easier, and the passing game and other controls have been tweaked tighter and are more responsive.

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Gamer 2.0

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.

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Team Xbox

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.

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Games Master UK

Yards better than has faltering debut on 360, Johnny M is back. [Dec 2006, p.100]

Gamers' Temple

A big improvement over the 06 version, but next-gen Madden still has a little way to go.

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GamerNode

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.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

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]

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VideoGamer

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.

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Xboxic

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.

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WHAM! Gaming

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.

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Xbox Solution

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.

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Extreme Gamer

It's not flawless, but it's worth the purchase. Until next year, this is as good as its going to get.

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DarkStation

There is plenty of depth in Madden 07 to make this game a good solid purchase.

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Official Xbox Magazine

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]

Yahoo! Games

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.

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ZTGameDomain

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.

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GameSpy

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.

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Games Radar (in-house)

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.

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GamerFeed

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.

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GameSpot

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.

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GameBrink

Do you like football games? If the answer is yes, then purchase it, if the answer is no, then dont.

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Game Informer

I feel what we have here is a lot of spectacle that doesn't stand up well to the scrutiny. [Oct. 2006, p.104]

Gaming Nexus

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.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

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]

Kombo

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.

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Deeko

It's not half bad. Not stellar, but not half bad.

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Digital Entertainment News

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!

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Operation Sports

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.

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1UP

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.

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Eurogamer

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.

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360 Gamer Magazine UK

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.

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DailyGame

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?

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Game Revolution

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.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

It's Matt Leinart pretty, but lacks the gameplay polish found on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

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GameShark

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.

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Gamenikki

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.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.0 (out of 10) based on 137 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Matt Farrow gave it a7:
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.

Joe M. gave it a3:
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

Drama Prarie Dog gave it a0:
Great graphics, but missing WAY too many features. Back to PS2 for me.

Doc B. gave it a0:
This game completely sucks. It seems to me that it is getting worse every year. I can't stand the stupid EA employees giving it a 10 rating, the graphics aren't great, and EA took all of the control out of your hands. Bring back some control to Franchise mode, and bring back Owner mode. EA sucks. and Madden 07 is a waste of money.

Justin F. gave it a5:
I've been playing Madden since 02, and although 07 has great graphics and a cool new superstar mode, it lacks in areas. Being on the 360 you would think it would go through a major overhaul. I enjoyed NCAA 07 much more. The controls seemed more responsive. Also, if I am going to pay $60 for a game, I want the ability to create a player and max out his stats if I want to. It seemed on this one, even with the lead blocking controls, I had to unlock a Hall of Fame running back with 99 overall to have a decent running game. If things don't change, I will be going to NFL 2K8.

David L. gave it a6:
I have read some of the major reviews by some of the major magazines. The journalist that stated that this had enhancements to the defensive game play has apparently never played this game. It may be better than the 06 version for the 360 (which is what I think most are comparing it to) but they took away from defensive controls. (no double teaming with your safeties or LB's) Whereas the original format Madden's made improvements all around they added online clubs, and kept the EA locker, try looking for these features on the 360...you won't find them. Still no league support offered which fans have been screaming for in order to play a complete franchise season online. The offline gameplay isn't too bad, but the next gen Madden's took this avid fan offline with their lack of upgrades and defensive controls. It's evident that EA knows they had the only licensed franchise going.

Brandon G. gave it a1:
Yeah it maybe pretty but very unrealistic with guys jumping 20 feet in the air not even hitting guys to tackle...no more hot routes and way to similar to NCAA. The regular Xbox madden '07 is way better.

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Madden NFL 07

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Summary

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