Xbox 360 version of 'Madden NFL 08' sticks it to PS3

[mcaje]

It took a couple of next-gen tries, but Madden has finally punched one across the pylons.

Electronic Arts' cash cow, Madden NFL 08, returns with a fresh arsenal of weapons and gameplay as silky smooth as a LaDainian Tomlinson scamper into the end zone.

The release of Madden 08 marks the first time owners of Xbox 360 have a truly complete version of the NFL franchise. The 06 iteration, released with the console's launch, was horribly thin on all fronts. Last year's release, while markedly improved, still felt liked a neutered version of older-generation versions because of little options.

On the surface, the releases on 360 and PlayStation 3 look identical. However, when you stack them head-to-head, it's clear which is better. Madden on 360 is fast and fluid, thanks to a sharp jump in frame rate that allows the game to move twice as fast.

PS3 owners, unfortunately, are greeted with a Madden that is sluggish in comparison. Action stutters far too often, particularly on injuries, penalties and turnovers. There's also a half-second delay between pressing the hike button and receiving the ball in your hands. Even close-ups between play look dull when lined up against the 360's sleeker cut scenes.

Overall presentation hasn't changed much since last year. Textures in uniforms look sharper, although they don't flap and flutter as fabric should. Facial details on some players is improved, although very few pixellated pros look like their real-life counterpart. And could EA please sit John Madden and play-by-play sidekick Al Michaels back in the booth? The radio announcer just doesn't feel authentic enough.

Madden 08's latest features brush aside notions that the franchise has turned into an NFL roster update for the first time in a couple years. The Hit Stick has been tweaked so defenders can aim high and low to deliver crushing hits. And the improved animations make those shots well worth it. You never get tired sending a receiver into a 360-degree flip after a low hit with your safety.

Madden's read and react system further pushes the ability to fine-tune your offensive and defensive gameplan on the fly. Pull the left trigger and view on-field mismatches to determine your best point of attack. You can also spotlight specific offensive opponents for tighter coverage. The audible system has migrated onto the right analog to really mix up defensive schemes.

Perhaps the game's most notable addition is the player weapon system, a gauge of player strengths separating the stars from average Joes. Each strength is represented by a player icon. For example, a giant hammer represents big hitters, while a lightning bolt represents elusive running backs. Players can also have multiple icons depending on their skills.

Eager to throw the deep ball? Aim for Randy Moss or another Spectacular Receiver who can lunge into the air making one-handed grabs. Need to move the chains an extra yard for that first down? Plug in your Power Back who steamrolls defenders in his path.

Game modes have broadened as well. Franchise mode adds a little more depth, and a much-needed fantasy draft option. Superstar mode allows you to not only create your own stud, but control one of this season's top rookies. EA imports the Supersim option from NCAA Football 08 onto Madden, letting you simulate portions of a game. The online offering remains solid, although a season mode involving multiple online players would have made it mode more robust.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2007-0...nterstitialskip (http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2007-08-13-madden-nfl-08_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip)

[thevalleyranchreport]

That's a good article. I still haven't upgraded to either console, but I'm leaning towards the 360, cheaper, and then have some strong titles.

[mcaje]

That's a good article. I still haven't upgraded to either console, but I'm leaning towards the 360, cheaper, and then have some strong titles.[/b]


Me too, but that $100 price drop and the BluRay capability are awful tempting.

[Cowboyzadam]

I'm going for the PS3 1st then the 360 second.

[NewmanOwns]

360 just price dropped and the hdmi is now included in all of the premiums. 360 has been blowin away the PS3 in every aspect. Ive played both and i prefer the 360 by a mile. They dont say the exact amount in that article MCAJE, but Madden runs 60FPS on 360 and 30FPS on PS3.

[marvinmartian]

I've had the 360 for well over a year now, and am glad they finally put a FULL version of Madden on it.

I've played the games on severasl systems(Xbox, Playstation 2 and 3) and I just like Xbox 360 the best.

[Tulip_Sniper]

I only have a PS3 so I'll be playing it on that as soon as I get some extra cash to spend.

[mcaje]

You mean...tulip sniping doesn't pay what it used to? :ph34r:

[Tulip_Sniper]

sad to say it doesn't. Too many snipers got into the business thus driving the pay down :(

[CowboyFan-n-GA]

360 owns ps3 woot woot.

[mcaje]

Woot, woot?

Dude, I'm going to have to ask you to stay off of our side. ;)

[CowboyFan-n-GA]

Whats wrong with woot woot? LOL. I have been teasing my friends that have PS3 about this. Im happy 360 wins.

[Cowboyzadam]

Both of them are good in their own way. I have played on both of them The only reason your have people divided is because of the console fan boys that hog the board pushing their opinions.

[mcaje]

I don't have either...but I still want to take part in the whole pushing my opinion thing. B)

[NewmanOwns]

Both of them are good in their own way. I have played on both of them The only reason your have people divided is because of the console fan boys that hog the board pushing their opinions.[/b]

eh...ive played both, and i really prefer the 360.

[Cowboyzadam]

eh...ive played both, and i really prefer the 360.[/b]


%That post wasn't directed towards you Newman. I know you favor the 360. I am talking about the mass of young kids and teenagers that will back a console just because of it's name and absolutely have no idea about anything regarding the other consoles specs and such. Heck there are so many kids out there that will swear the 360 or PS3 are better than each other and never take the time to even see or play the competitors console.

That is why I do not usually listen to others suggestion on which console I get. I make my own mind up and when I can't...I just get them all! :lol:

[NewmanOwns]

%That post wasn't directed towards you Newman. I know you favor the 360. I am talking about the mass of young kids and teenagers that will back a console just because of it's name and absolutely have no idea about anything regarding the other consoles specs and such. Heck there are so many kids out there that will swear the 360 or PS3 are better than each other and never take the time to even see or play the competitors console.

That is why I do not usually listen to others suggestion on which console I get. I make my own mind up and when I can't...I just get them all! :lol:[/b]

You're RIGHT ON! I hate the "competitiveness" between kids who actually try to start arguments and are actual fanboys of a console. They just feel the need to justify themselves buying their console. Every console is different and so they appeal to different people. The people are so ignorant when they go ranting on why theirs is better when they dont even play the other console, its very frustrating at times.

[DallasDeathMetal]

I got a PS3 on a 36" screen and got madden 08 on the 2nd day it was out. I've read all the news and bits and bytes of the differences. Regardless of the 30fps vs the 60fps on the xbox360, it doesn't matter to me. The video and the vast capabilities of the latest version of the game make it all the better no matter what system you have it on.

I've played 2 full Cowboys franchise seasons all the way through the playoffs and once into the Super Bowl and the AI built into it is amazing. Once the games get going, you don't notice the 30fps hardly at all.

Besides, the 60fps doesn't last the entire session, it throttles back while playing the games especially in massive dogpiles and 5 on one coverages down field. If all you're paying attention to is the graphics, then you're obviously not focusing on the complexity of the new version of the game itself. IMO, go PS3 and forget about the Fisher Price type controllers of the xbox 360. You get more out of the ps3 out of the box where you need to upgrade and add on all the extra accessories for the 360 to make it the same. And for whatever it's worth, the PS3 is quieter and the BR disc's are definitely way better than regular dvd's. If anyone else has a ps3 and wants to play madden online sometime, send me a pm..

[Tulip_Sniper]

Just picked it up for my PS3. I've only played two game lost my first one won my second trying to win my third one now. Whats up the roster why do I not have Folk? I thought it had roster updates

[CowboyFan-n-GA]

I do know the specs, and believe me i am not a young kid or teenager. Im a Network Systems Administrator and the 360 for madden is plain out better. Looks like you might just be picking one because you like the PS series. Also i never had an original xbox, i had a ps2 and made the switch to a better system.

[mcaje]

I still haven't decided to make a commitment to either system.

Gamestop said they'd give me 20 bucks to trade in my xbox, I said no thanks. At that price I'll keep it until I find someone to give it away to.

I guess I'll go out and buy Madden 08 for xbox a buy myself some more time.

[Tulip_Sniper]

Holy INT/fumble Batman I've never had so many turn overs in one game before. What in Gods name is up with that? Just for the record no I didn't just stand there and throw bombs down field all day in other madden games and am pissed because I can't do that any more. My playing calling is pretty much 50/50.

[mcaje]

Thanks for the update Tulip...we were all wondering.

[electrochemical]

I nearly smashed my Madden after all the fumbles this game has, also All Madden sucks this year.

[Tulip_Sniper]

another thing I keep noticing the players all seem to have no teeth. I just wish the game didn't chug so much on the PS3. I haven't lost so many madden games in my life granted I've only been playing since 05 or so.

[electrochemical]

let me say this Sam Spence it the greatest man alive. I rock to those classic tunes all day. I wish he would to a tour, I even have the NFL films music on my i-pod!!!

SAM SPENCE!!!!!!!!

ps. 10TD passed in a game for Romo againse the Bears as well, All Madden.

[Tulip_Sniper]

routed the G-men 48-7 in franchise mode before I left for class this morning. Glenn, TO, Witten, Barber, Reeves, Hamlin all got TD's. Last night I picked a pass off with Ware returned it 100 yards for the score. Was against the vikes I believe. Sitting at 8-1 right now only loss was to those damn pats. Man now I want to go back home and play some more Madden....stupid college. I found a good game plan for myself. I made JJ second string and MBIII the starter and just pound the ball on the defense all game lone and sprinkle some PA and the W is mine. One of my last drvies lasted almost the entire first quarter. I'm almost dead last in all stats but hold an 8-1 record best in the NFL. Crap gotta get to class.

[SmilesAustin]

My gripe with the PS3 is that they put Blu-Ray on it simply because Sony produces blu-ray players, and they're backing Blu-Ray as the next format. I thought it was a nasty move by Sony, because other than watching Blu-Ray movies, the Blu-Ray does little for the gameplay.

Let me explain: As far as processor speed, the systems are fairly even. They can handle approximately the same caliber of games. Lots of games, like Newman pointed out, make their games a little faster on the Xbox because they say that the Xbox can handle it better.

Blu-Ray holds an ungodly amount of data on each disk, but the problem is that both systems, PS3 and Xbox 360 are only equipped to be able to play games that have graphics good enough to fit on DVD discs. It's probably possible to make a game similar to Halo or Gears of War that has graphics so amazing that you would need an 80gb Blu-Ray disc to hold it, but there's no way the PS3 would be able to play it. A game that huge would require a whole new system to be created with 5-10 times the processing capabilities of the 360 and the PS3.

There's guys out there that have predictions for how much a system that could play an 80gb blu-ray version of a game (not a LONG game, a standard size game with graphics so good that it takes 80gb to fit it) and I don't want to dig around looking for all the estimates, but I've seen people say with today's technology, a system that could handle that would cost well over $1,500 and that's not even considering the markup it would take due to popularity.

I'd say if you want to get a leg up on the Blu-Ray change that's coming up... and it is going to be blu-ray since the primary makers of HD-DVD players recently announced they were going to stop creating them... then go with the PS3. It's cheaper now than it was, and you'll be able to watch Blu-Ray movies for cheap...those blu-ray players are still more than $600 each I think.

BUT, if you want more game titles, a little bit faster play, and I assure you the graphics quality will always be dead-even between the two depending on the game, go with the Xbox 360.

There's nothing wrong with choosing one over the other. 360 has better online gameplay capabilities, better backwards compatibility, etc, but I'm kinda pissed right now that within a few years I'm going to have to go waste a bunch of money on a blu-ray player when I could have one already!

[mcaje]

I love my Blu-Ray. :wub:

[CowboyzAdam]

I have now all 3 consoles. Xbox 360 and PS3 are very close in graphics. The difference is in the game makers. Most of the game makers have not learned how to take advantage of the capabilities that both the Xbox 360 and PS3 can dish out.

I do have a question as to why you say the Xbox 360 can produce the same graphics exactly as the PS3? That simply is not true. If you have to pick one over the other than look at the specs. The PS3 has the potential to put out better graphics than the Xbox 360. Not by a huge margin but it can. The problem is what I posted at the beginning. Game makers are still learning how to take advantage of the power under the hood of these consoles. That is not either consoles fault if the makers are making multiple games for both systems and they are putting up identical graphics on both consoles.

Look at the specs when you compare the 2 consoles. It's not football and the specs do not lie. The PS3 has better specs.
I love both consoles so I'm not a fan boy of either one so maybe I am able to be more subjective when comparing them.

[electrochemical]

As of now I have a 36o and a Wii. I have a Wii mainly for the games like Super Smash Bros. and others. Looking forward to a bit of GTA IV action at the end of April!

[NewmanOwns]

Looking forward to a bit of GTA IV action at the end of April![/b]

Definitely! CoD4 and DiRT til then!

[CowboyzAdam]

Definitely! CoD4 and DiRT til then![/b]



Newman is right! COD4 on the Xbox 360 (which is what I have it on) is just plain Sic. I lose hours playing it. It isn't easy either. But addictive.

[electrochemical]

I love COD 4 online. probably the best multiplayer game out right not. And Newman your Kill-Death Ratio is so good. 2X more kills than deaths is so hard to come by!

[DonCanabis]

COD4 it's the best game out there it made me throw Halo out the window do you guys play COD4 online? it's sick best online game out there with tons of lasting.

Lost Odyssey for the XBOX 360 it's also sick and has excellent graphics

I have the 360 and the PS3 and I prefer the 360 by far just because of online and regular gameplay I almost don't touch my PS3

[CowboyzAdam]

Even though in years past I have been more partial to my Sony consoles I do have to say that I do use the Xbox 360 more than I do the PS3 right now. That's not putting the PS3 down at all but I just have more games for the Xbox 360 than I do for the PS3.

I got the Xbox 360 first though. then the Wii then just 2 months ago picked up the PS3 so I need to play catch up on my Library of games for the PS3.

[NewmanOwns]

COD4 it's the best game out there it made me throw Halo out the window do you guys play COD4 online?[/b]

Yeah, i tried inviting you the other night but i think you were in the middle of a game.


And Newman your Kill-Death Ratio is so good. 2X more kills than deaths is so hard to come by![/b]
Hah yea dude im pretty beastly at the game hehe. Love my G3. Its hard to keep the K/D up when you prestige though.

[ebnorice]

Do any of you own a hd tv? because if you don't you don't know the difference between a 360 and ps3. ps3 blows 360 away in HD 1080P maybe not in madden but in general.

[NewmanOwns]

No it doesn't. Call of Duty for example is a cross platform game, and im sure it looks the same on both.

I dont mean to be a "fanboy" but you kinda made a pretty ignorant comment on the matter.

And yes, having an HDTV is sweet.

[ebnorice]

No it doesn't. Call of Duty for example is a cross platform game, and im sure it looks the same on both.

I dont mean to be a "fanboy" but you kinda made a pretty ignorant comment on the matter.

And yes, having an HDTV is sweet.[/b]
I owned both at the same time, with my hd 1080P tvs. We have had cod4 for both systems at the same time and we all sold our 360's so we could just have ps3's. Because they didn't even compare, so unless you have played both on the same tv then you have made a made a ignorant comment on the matter. And by we I mean all my roomates... and everyone that comes over and has a hd tv. If you don't have a hd tv the ps3 looks just like the 360. I know all this from personal experince, and i am not a fan boy i just want to have the best if the x-box was the best thats what i would have.

But i'm "sure" you know what your talking about because you've played and seen both. ;)

[chumpy]

just read online that madden 09 is being geared to the PS3. this means that EA will try to utilize the superior graphics and game play on that system. i can't wait!!!!!!!

[NewmanOwns]

Is that how they sell those things? "Superior graphics"...LMAO

[ebnorice]

dude whats better than superior graphics? you have got to be kidding

[NewmanOwns]

Gameplay by a mile.

Anyways, if you read the quotes you would realize my intention was to laugh how he said "superior graphics". There's nothing out there that has shown superior graphics on the PS3 and thats why i said is that how they sell them...apparently people actually buy into that hype.