Madden Next-Gen

When a game ships for both Xbox® and Xbox 360™, we can always expect that the developer will take advantage of the superior technology Xbox 360 offers. Madden NFL 06 has gone one better and added several high-profile features to a game, that for all intents and purposes, shipped only three months prior to this version. We look now at these additions, and what they mean to you, whether you're a stalwart of the series or a new recruit.

He leads the league in rushing. Sign him Seattle!

Looking Good
A visual jump is a no-brainer for next-gen games, but the massive overhaul Madden NFL 06 has gone through for its Xbox 360 appearance is something special indeed—and not just for sheer poly count. Its new look is chock full of effects, but its end result is startling for the immediacy it offers. It puts you directly on the field with each torn-out bit of grass, mud-plastered jersey, scuff mark and reflection on helmets, not to mention almost three times as many animations. Just look at the screenshots we've provided and then read a little more about it in our Xbox 360 Factor article on the subject.

Control Mapping
In a move rarely seen in any console offering, you can now fully customize which buttons execute which commands, and decide how you're going to set up every control scheme (e.g. pre-snap offense, passing, engaged defense). If you don't get happy with the right trigger for sprinting, switch it back to the A button you remember from last year's version. Want to make the B button execute a dive, or the X button perform a spin? It's all up to you.

Play Calling
The play-calling interface has been both simplified and added to. You can now find plays according to whichever category suits you best. For example, on offense, you can select By Formation (e.g. single back, "I" formation, split backs), or by Play Type, Key Players, Ask Madden (best choices for the game situation by the man himself), or Ask Coach (AI selection based on your teams strengths and tendencies).

D-Jack with the picture perfect catch.

On the Field
In an effort to put you on the field and out of the booth, most of the audio you'll hear is sparked from the scuffles and hits on the field, the smack talk between the players, the barking calls at the line-of-scrimmage, and even a play-by-play announcer for your team (one that actually gets excited like a home-town announcer would when you break a large play).

Menu Evolution
Madden NFL 06 on Xbox 360 also sports an all new intuitive interface, as each category of menus slides out to produce a new one as you drill down to the intended screen. You can always see where you've been in menu navigation and what the other options were. This means you never get lost or confused about what you're searching for.

Ed Hochuli
One of the best known and most respected referees in the NFL, Ed Hochuli, was brought in by EA to add an authentic touch to the game's officiating. Our man Ed did the motion capture and voice work for his digital counterpart, and they've modeled him perfectly—right down to the uniform bursting biceps he sports.

Marvelous Marvin exchanging pleasantries with the defense.

Authentic Voice and Likeness
Many of the best players in the NFL, such as Peyton Manning, Shaun Alexander, and of course cover athlete Donovan McNabb, were scanned down to the smallest detail (check out that scar on Alexander's chin) for near photo-realistic likenesses. What's more, audio has been culled from the NFL Films archives, so when you hear Brett Favre bark out an audible, you'll be getting the true inflection from the Packer great.

Madden NFL 06 for Xbox 360 is leaping onto the next-generation bandwagon with gusto. In such a short period of time, they have managed to create outstanding visuals and build in substantial feature upgrades. Just imagine what they can do with the full year they have ahead of them for the next version.

Article by Alex McLain