Xbox 360 Factor

We've covered the substantial new features for Madden NFL 06 for Xbox 360™ in our preview, but now it's time to delve into just what Xbox 360 brings to the table. What has the raw power it holds offered to the developers, and just what is the end result?

The Basics
It's probably important to note that Xbox 360 is loaded with features that apply to every game, not just Madden NFL 06. Here are the highlights:

If they can put a game this powerful together this quickly, just imagine what next year's title will bring.

• High-Definition and 16x9: Provided you have a TV that supports HD, all games are capable of outputting up to 720 progressive scan and 16x9 widescreen formatting. More details here
• Guide Button: Whether you're connecting someone with the one-on-one chat feature, checking your achievements, loading a music playlist, or seeing who's online with what game, the Guide Button standardizes all these functions, so you can be sure you can use them all with every game.

Sharply defined

Sheer Detail
In terms of raw detail, this screenshot of cover athlete Donovan McNabb brings a few elements into sharp relief. Take note specifically of the modeling of his face and the muscle definition on his arms. Not only is the face a spot-on likeness of the Philly QB, but it's malleable as well. You'll see his eyes dart to and fro, his eyebrows arch and narrow, and his mouth move with the call he's shouting at the line. In looking at the arm, we can see just how much individual definition can be shown. Take a close look at just the elbow area, and you'll see where the joints meet and the muscles tense and relax. You can even see a droplet of sweat beading up on his triceps.

Wear and tear.

Detail over Time
Here we see Peyton Manning, and while the detail evidenced in the McNabb screenshot is in full effect, the element to note here is the scuffs, stains, and markings seen all over the jersey. You'll see individual scratches and scuff marks on the helmet, which even affect its reflective quality, along with innumerable stains and splotches on the jersey. Visually impressive as this may be, it's even more so when you consider that the uniforms for every player are altered after every play. If a lineman is pancaked in a mud-splattered field, you'll soon see the effect on his uni. In contrast, the weather and uniform effects in Madden for current-gen consoles, update every quarter.

A field of dreams.

Stadium Perfection
There's a lot of talk and press regarding the player models and animations, and rightly so. But a long shot like this that takes the stadium into account really demonstrates just how pitch-perfect they've made the fields. Down to the smallest detail, each field is faithfully rendered in near photo-realism, and the crowds are equally impressive. No longer relegated to "cardboard cutout" status, the fans appear truly involved in the game.

Demonstrating his trademark extra effort.

Animation Overload
The greatest looking player models ever would fall to ruin if saddled with shoddy animation, but not only is Madden's motion capture top-notch, it also boasts three times as many animation routines as its current-gen contemporaries. Here we see Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, also known as the rookie that saved John Gruden's job, yanking his foot away from a would-be tackler, as he shifts his shoulders to dive for the extra few yards. It's a subtle animation addition, but an immersive one, as the action is right on. With further improvements such as goal-line leaps, oodles of new pass catch animations, new hard hitting tackles, and the pumped up between-plays animation, Madden NFL 06 is bringing variety and realism to the moves and reactions of its players, coaches, referees, and fans.

Madden NFL 06 has met Xbox 360 head-on with an entirely new engine, built from the ground up, to take full advantage of the next-gen hardware. If they can put a game this powerful together this quickly, just imagine what next year's title will bring.

Article by Alex McLain