The Madden series has long been a mainstay in gaming. With football being one of the most popular sports in the world, it's not surprising that the Madden games receive a positive reception or released yearly. As is the case with most franchises (be it video games, movies, etc.), the quality of the titles varies wildly.
Some games are certainly better than others. Some are well-polished, well thought out, and incredibly fun titles that prove fun to both football experts and newcomers alike. However, not all of them are perfect. Other titles seem cheaper, less refined, and more focused on the likes of microtransactions than providing a genuinely fun - and complete - experience. These are just some of the best of the best.
10 Madden NFL 07 - 84
Madden NFL 07 was released as launch titles for both the PlayStation 3 and Wii, and it served as a wonderful entry into both football and the seventh generation of consoles. Featuring running back Shaun Alexander on the cover, the game brought some new additions to the series.
These included a lead blocker control, spins to avoid tacklers, and stringing together evasive moves. The game received a positive reception, scoring 84 on Metacritic and receiving praise for its new additions.
9 Madden NFL 08 - 85
Madden NFL 08 was actually made for a whopping eleven different platforms, being placed on the precipice between the sixth and seventh generation of consoles. Released in August of 2007, the game saw releases on the PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Wii, and Gamecube, among others. It also featured on the PC.
Starring the Tennessee Titans' Vince Young on the cover, Madden NFL 08 sits at 85 on Metacritic, with many critics praising the improvements, features, and buttery sixty frames per second.
8 Madden NFL 09 - 85
The Madden series was on quite a run throughout the late 2000s, and that continued with Madden NFL 09. Released in August 2008 and featuring football legend Brett Favre on the cover, Madden NFL 09 actually has the distinction of being the last game released for the Xbox in North America.
Like some of its predecessors, the game sits at 85 on Metacritic, with many praising the next-gen advancement in graphics and physics. However, there were a few criticisms about the "same old" gameplay. It's also interesting to note that the game has a lowly 4.4 user score, indicating disappointment among non-critics.
7 Madden NFL 10 - 85
Madden NFL 10 is more well known for its unique cover than the gameplay itself. Breaking away from the series' longstanding tradition, the cover of Madden NFL 10 actually features two football players - the Steelers' Troy Polamalu and the Buccaneers' Larry Fitzgerald.
The game itself was well-received, also sitting at 85 on Metacritic. The 6.9 user score also indicates a far more favorable reception among non-critics when compared to its more controversial and divisive predecessor.
6 Madden NFL 06 - 88
Breaking away from the 85 Metacritic tradition is Madden NFL 06, which features the Eagles' Donovan McNabb on the cover. This game is notable for introducing some unique gameplay mechanics into the series, including QB Vision Control, precision passing, and the series staple Superstar mode/Career mode.
The game was also a launch title for the Xbox 360, suitably heralding the franchise's entry into the new generation. Madden NFL 06 sits at an excellent 88 on Metacritic, with many praising the game's innovation.
5 Madden NFL 2001 - 90
Many Madden fans would argue that the series was at an all-time high in the early 2000s. Released in 2000, Madden NFL 2001 proves one of the best entries in the long-running franchise.
This game is notable for a number of firsts, including the first Madden game on the PlayStation 2 and the first to feature a football player (Eddie George) on the cover, rather than John Madden himself. The game received widespread critical acclaim and currently sits at 90 on Metacritic.
4 Madden NFL 2005 - 91
Released in August of 2004, Madden NFL 2005 was the last Madden game on the original PlayStation. 2004 was also a fantastic year for online gaming, and Madden NFL 2005 proved to be the first game in the series to feature Xbox Live online capabilities.
The game sits at an excellent 91 on Metacritic, with many critics praising the complex gameplay and new defensive system. The online portion also helped bring the Madden series into a new generation, and the franchise would never be the same again.
3 Madden NFL 2002 - 94
Madden NFL 2002 is a throwback, indeed. It was a launch title for both the GameCube and Xbox, and it was the last Madden title to be released for the Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64. It was also the first game to feature the Houston Texans, who joined the NFL for the 2002 season.
The game sits at an unbelievable 94 on Metacritic, with many critics praising the numerous improvements. These included a muscular AI opponent, an improved physics engine, and more substantial gameplay mechanics.
2 Madden NFL 2004 - 94
Madden NFL 2004 was a little too early for Xbox Live, but it was an enormous success, nevertheless. This entry introduced the owner mode, which allowed players to control the team's owner and gain all the responsibilities that came with owning a professional football team.
The mode was quite robust, complete with the option to lower or raise hot dog prices at the stadium. It currently sits at 94 on Metacritic, overshadowed by just one other title.
1 Madden NFL 2003 - 95
According to Metacritic, Madden NFL 2003 is the greatest Madden title. Albeit just barely. Featuring Marshall Faulk on the cover, Madden NFL 2003 sits at an astounding 95 on Metacritic.
Ten of the website's twenty-five reviews are perfect 10s, with many praising the robust gameplay and countless modes to try and perfect. In many ways, it could very well be the greatest sporting and football game ever made, and it serves as a reminder of just how good this series once was.
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