Madden NFL 12

 Xbox 360
Madden NFL 12 Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 104 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Madden NFL 12 is the newest iteration in the Madden football series.
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
Madden NFL 12 - Virtual Playbook Gameplay Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
  1. Gaming Age
    Aug 29, 2011
    100
    For Madden NFL 12 it is truly in the game, it has game, and is the only and best NFL game to date.
  2. Games Master UK
    Sep 25, 2011
    89
    Another top class Madden outing, setting the standard for sports videogames. [Nov 2011, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. GameTrailers
    Aug 26, 2011
    85
    When you start building a game on such an impressive foundation you're guaranteed to have a quality product in the end, but the longer you play it the more the issues become bothersome. Just like the NFL rookie class of 2011, it should have spent a little more time in training camp.
  4. GamingTrend
    Sep 14, 2011
    80
    If you are looking for just a fun time with some friends and don't care about franchises or online play, you might be better off with a previous version of Madden. If you want to control your own franchise or build your own team, then there have been enough enhancements to justify the purchase. Just realize that some on-field issues still exist.
  5. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 21, 2011
    79
    Since EA owns NFL rights, you won't be able to chose between Madden and the 2k franchise anymore. Madden NFL 12 is a good game, but still it's got some issues that prevents it from being the definitive NFL sport sim every fan would love it to be.
  6. GameShark
    Aug 30, 2011
    75
    Madden 12 has an awful lot going for it and in many ways it's the best the series has ever been, but in others you can see it still trying to break the shackles of the past. In the end, you get a mix of the two: a lot of great new ideas combined with issues that should have been dealt with a long time ago.
  7. Giant Bomb
    Aug 29, 2011
    60
    That Madden NFL 12 feels like a less passionate endeavor than even other yearly sports titles, less a labor of love and more a labor of necessity, is a criticism that likely won't mean much to either type of player. It's still video game football in a competitive and compelling environment, especially when played online with friends. It has more content than you will likely ever touch over the course of the next season of real football. In some ways, Madden NFL 12 is a better game than its predecessor. In others, not. It has significant flaws, and it has significant strengths.

See all 55 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 41
  3. Negative: 14 out of 41
  1. tfumbles218
    Aug 30, 2011
    10
    Madden NFL 12 is excellent this year! You can really see the improvements EA has made from last year's game. Game play has improved giving aMadden NFL 12 is excellent this year! You can really see the improvements EA has made from last year's game. Game play has improved giving a real feel. When you tackle, it looks more realistic and they players will fall when they are hit, not before. I also really like the addition of online communities. I can play my friends, have ranked games, and we can have our own leaderboard instead of getting lost in the overall leaderboard. Nice job fellas!… Expand
  2. drnerd
    Aug 31, 2011
    10
    While there wasn't much to improve on after M11 perfected the game engine, Madden NFL 12 still manages to create a fun game. A must have for aWhile there wasn't much to improve on after M11 perfected the game engine, Madden NFL 12 still manages to create a fun game. A must have for a Madden fan!… Expand
  4. STEVE21
    Nov 16, 2011
    8
    I haven't played Madden since Madden10, and I will just start by saying the gameplay has improved and it feels more realistic than ever. II haven't played Madden since Madden10, and I will just start by saying the gameplay has improved and it feels more realistic than ever. I particularly like that the default camera angle is much closer which makes the action more compelling. The AI is also vastly improved, which for me is why I play Madden. The player is forced to be more strategic. However, the menus are slow and poorly executed and the commentary is atrocious. Bottomline: Gameplay is awesome, presentation sucks.… Expand
  5. Woodlin37
    Sep 3, 2011
    6
    I have to say madden12 IS a good football game, but has flaws, the commentary is really awful, number 12 kicks to number 15 and number 42 runsI have to say madden12 IS a good football game, but has flaws, the commentary is really awful, number 12 kicks to number 15 and number 42 runs for 9 yards, the away team the home team?? why dont they use names this year, and these are not rookies im talking about either, oh and ochocinco gets mentions as Johnson! Its worth a pick up.just.....… Expand
  6. Jobadkins
    May 9, 2012
    5
    I new this was going to happen sooner or later.Ever since Madden 06 started the next gen of football titles,the series has only beenI new this was going to happen sooner or later.Ever since Madden 06 started the next gen of football titles,the series has only been so-so.There has not been one madden game that makes you react with a "wow" or "are you kidding me",never!What is your choice,honestly,you can skip the whole thing or get your updated rosters through there crappy football titles.The only time I was semi happy was when they finally brought decent commentary in there 2009 game.This game just throws there" ok "moments right out the door with the worst football title I think I have ever played.There semi exciting commentary from 2011 is all over the place with this game.I'm extremely sick of the madden franchise and advise everyone reading this to save your money,go buy a real game like 2K's basketball games or Sony's baseball games cause this game is real garbage and there is not one thing about this year's game that is good--NOTHING!If this game wasn't named madden then the reviews would be much lower.Go out and buy Blitz 2 or all-pro football 2k8 cause this game sucks!… Expand
  7. Ebs80
    Nov 4, 2011
    3
    These are just a few of the most glaring problems with this game. I buy a new Madden about every two years and this is BY FAR the worstThese are just a few of the most glaring problems with this game. I buy a new Madden about every two years and this is BY FAR the worst version I've ever played.

    Special teams - Horrible. Apparently teams are unable to block anyone. Playing on All-pro level with the Bears (top 5 special teams unit for years) I averaged 19 yards per KO return and 6 yards per PR. Most of the time not a single block was held by anyone.

    Instant replay - Waste of time. Why have this feature in the game if they will mistakenly overturn plays and uphold other obvious plays. This has been an issue as long as it has been in the game. Time to get rid of it.

    QB scramble - Ridiculous. The fumble rate of a QB while running has to be at least 10 times of what it actually is in the league. Just because its a QB running does not mean he's gonna fumble every other hit he takes. Again, this has been a issue for years, not corrected at all in this game.

    Auto-Sprint - Moronic. Why even play defense if you cannot control the player. You try to take control of a blitzing LB and just before the snap you realize he better drop into coverage.... to bad, first 3 steps are forward even if you hold down the strafe button pre-snap.

    Play clock - What play clock? In ranked games on-line you cannot take off the accelerated clock. This give you a max of 20 seconds from breaking the huddle. Not nearly enough time for me. If I call my play in 5 seconds, I would appreciate the full 35 seconds to see the D and call audibles, blitz pick-ups and hot routes.    … Expand
  8. Khaosom
    Apr 8, 2014
    0
    How to start a review about a game genre I don't quit understand? Simple stick to the facts. Yes while most games now no longer operate onHow to start a review about a game genre I don't quit understand? Simple stick to the facts. Yes while most games now no longer operate on the NES/SNES difficulty curve, most games require some sort of thinking. Other EA sports games also require a more pro active style game play. Madden on the other hand has offered little to no steps forward in game play, along with the fact that the computer auto catches the ball for you, all you do is run, and throw, The fact that 39 people actually liked this game, and 24 other were indifferent shows the level of gamers in this age. As long as people keep shelling out 59.99 USD for hunks of garbage like this game franchise, the companies like EA, Microsoft, Treyarch, and more won't strive to make a better game.… Expand

See all 41 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
44
#44 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011