Madden NFL 07

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Madden NFL 07
Image:Madden NFL 07 Coverart.png
Developer(s) EA Tiburon (except Wii version)
EA Canada (Wii version only)
Publisher(s) EA Sports
Aspect ratio 720p, 480i
Platform(s) GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows, DS, GBA, PSP, Wii, PlayStation 3, Wireless, PC
Release date GameCube
USA August 22, 2006
GameBoy Advance
USA August 22, 2006
Xbox
USA August 22, 2006
EUR August 25, 2006
AUS August 31, 2006
PC
USA August 22, 2006
EUR August 25, 2006
AUS September 14, 2006
PlayStation 2
USA August 22, 2006
EUR August 25, 2006
AUS September 14, 2006
Nintendo DS
USA August 22, 2006
PAL August 25, 2006
JPN December 21, 2006
Xbox 360
USA August 22, 2006
EUR September 8, 2006
AUS September 14, 2006
JPN December 21, 2006
PSP
USA August 22, 2006
PAL October 26, 2006
PlayStation 3
USA November 14, 2006
JPN April 26, 2007
PAL TBA, 2007
Wii
USA November 14, 2006
AUS December 7, 2006
EUR December 8, 2006
Genre(s) Sports
Mode(s) Single player, Multiplayer, online
Rating(s) ESRB: Everyone
PEGI: 3+
OFLC: G
CERO: A
Media Cartridge, Wii Optical Disc, GameCube Optical Disc, DS Card, CD-ROM, Blu-ray, DVD-ROM, UMD
System requirements Windows XP or Windows 2000

800 MHz or faster cpu 256mb ram 2 GB harddisk 8x cd or dvd drive 64 MB video card

Madden NFL 07 is the 2007 edition of the popular Madden NFL series. It is the first in the series to be released for the Playstation 3 and the Nintendo Wii. Running back Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks is on the cover.

Contents

[edit] Release

To mark the debut of Madden NFL 07, EA Sports released Madden NFL 07 in Madden, Mississippi, the only community in the United States to have the same name as John Madden. Each resident received a free Xbox 360 gaming console and a free copy of Madden NFL 07. NFL stars in attendance were Jerry Rice, Warren Moon, and Marshall Faulk.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Madden NFL 07 was released for more formats in a single year than any previous version. In addition to its appearance on the PC platform and cell phones, versions of the game were produced for every game console of the previous generation, including the Xbox, the PlayStation 2, and the Nintendo GameCube. Hand-held versions appeared on the PSP, the Nintendo DS, and the Game Boy Advance. It is also the second iteration of the series to appear on the Xbox 360, and the first to appear on the PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles.

After John Madden's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, EA Sports released a version of Madden NFL 07 called the "Hall of Fame Edition" with John Madden on the cover. It contained two discs, one with the normal game and the other a DVD with special features. Special features included an interview with John Madden, a behind the scenes look at the making of Madden NFL 07, and a sneak preview of the new PlayStation 3. To go along with Madden's inception into the Hall of Fame, there are special Hall of Fame teams that players can unlock with credits earned during the game. These teams are statistically superior to the default NFL team rosters.

[edit] New features

Just as in previous titles in the Madden NFL series, Madden NFL 07 makes a few additions to the general game play. The most notable features include:

  • Lead Blocker Control: After selecting a running play, the player will be able to cycle through the offensive players as they get into position at the line. The player can choose the athlete to control when the ball is snapped, and the game camera will zoom in on the fullback, tackle, guard, center, tight end, or wide receiver selected. With this feature, it is now possible for the player to open up a path for a running play, as the computer controls the halfback and tries to slip through the gap created. This feature also appeals to Madden players who do not wish to use computer assistance in any way, shape, or form. This feature allows the player to manually block with their fullback, tackle, guard, center, tight end, or wide receiver and quickly switch to their halfback to manually slip through the gap created, thus eliminating any computer assistance during the gameplay.
  • Highlight Stick: Players can now move the right analog stick in any direction to see an animation where the smaller running backs will duck, spin, or squirt out of a tackle. It is also possible to string such evasive moves together, piecing together a juke left with a hop step backwards (down on the right analog for stick on Ps2 and Xbox or for gamecube down on the C stick) to elude defenders. The Truck Stick animations still exist for the bigger backs, but also feature more variety of running moves with the addition of the Highlight Stick. For example, using the Highlight Stick with Tiki Barber, a smaller back not known for trucking, utilizes an array of moves to avoid and squirt out of tackles.
  • Juking and Spinning: Players can now choose two types of both Jukes and Spins to avoid would-be tacklers. For the PS2, players can either do a cut move to the left or right using the L1 or R1 buttons respectively, or a wider juke to the left or right by flicking the Right Analog stick left or right respectively. For a quick spin to allude a tackler the player simply taps the circle button. For a stronger spin which could possibly break a tackle, simply hold down the circle button.
  • FreeMotion Controls: The Wii version of Madden NFL 07, which was developed at EA Canada rather than Tiburon, features a unique control scheme that has been completely redone to compliment the motion sensing capabilities of the console's Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers. Some examples of the use of these controls include:
    • Hike: When a player wants to snap the ball, the player pulls the Wii Remote toward him/her. The player can also hold the B button and pull the Wii Remote towards him/her to fake snap.
    • Quarterback: The player selects the receiver by pressing the A button, or up, down, left, or right on the D-Pad then make the actual passing motion with the Wii Remote. If motioned slowly, the player will lob it. If motioned fast, the ball will fly like a bullet. The actual QB is moved around with the Nunchuk controller's analog stick.
    • Running Back: The player can stiff arm a defender by motioning left or right with the Wii Remote. To juke, the player motions left or right with the Nunchuk. To push for extra yards or a goal line stand, a player pushes both controllers forward.
    • Wide Receiver: The player can choose to play as a wide receiver and make the catch. When catching, the player must raise both the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk in the air to make the catch.
    • Kicker/Punter: The player begins the kick by pressing the A button, and then must swing the Wii Remote upward to simulate a kicking motion. The angle and acceleration of the remote affects the distance covered and angle of slice placed on the ball.

[edit] Online

A site widely used for online play is www.gamebattles.com, Its the largest online community for competitive gaming, Madden is one of the rapidly growing ladders.

[edit] Reception and awards

  • The Wii version of Madden NFL 07 won GameSpot's award for Best Traditional Sports Game and for Best New Control Scheme of 2006. The reason cited for this selection, particularly in light of other versions that feature more detailed graphics and online play capability, is the Wii version's FreeMotion controls, which provided a fresh take on play mechanics that the editorial staff felt had grown stale after years of minimal year-to-year adjustments.[7] GameSpot's Award for Best Original Game Mechanic (FreeMotion controls for the Wii version).
  • It also won the "Best Sporting Game of 2006" on G4's television series, X-Play.
  • It was named BB&B's Sports Game of the year on August 22, 2006.

[edit] US sales

In December 2006, all versions of Madden NFL 07 combined sold 1.9 million units, making it the best-selling title that month in the United States.[9] Overall in 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of Madden NFL 07 sold 2.8 million units, making it the best-selling video game that year in the US,[9] while the Xbox 360 version sold 1.1 million units in the US.[9]

As of September 25, 2007, Madden NFL 07 is the second best-selling video game in the US with 7.4 million copies sold, according to the NPD Group.[10]

[edit] Shaun Alexander's Madden curse

Shaun Alexander missed some time with a broken fourth metatarsal, and saw his statistics drop from over 1,800 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns the season before to 896 yards and seven touchdowns in 2006. However, the Seattle Seahawks did make the playoffs.

[edit] Franchise Mode dilemma

While simulating years in Franchise Mode, Defensive players attributes gradually drop while offensive players rise. Most notably on defense, the linebackers and defensive lineman and on offense the offensive line and wide receivers.

Another changed detail doesn't affect the game, but the concession Beer has been replaced by Coffee, since it is a E rated game. Seattle, which originally served coffee, now serves 2 coffees, both with different pictures and prices.

[edit] Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii versions

The next-gen version of Madden NFL 07 featured the Superstar Mode and Franchise but the Tony Bruno Show was absent in this game possibly due to a contractual issue, but he was in the Wii version. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version also did not allow the player to edit the players appearance or attributes or change the numbers on their jerseys, but the Wii version did. Also the franchise mode is not as deep as the previous generation versions, as Owner Mode is not present. Fantasy Draft and Two-Player co-operative play are missing as well. Also as the player unlocks more legendary players the current free agents will disappear and no longer be available for signing.

[edit] Soundtrack

[edit] References

  1. ^ EA celebrates Madden launch by visiting Madden, Mississippi
  2. ^ Mygamer.com :: Maddenoliday Declared in Madden Mississippi news
  3. ^ http://www.gamers.com/?run=news&news_id=6570
  4. ^ Meridian Star - Madden-ess!
  5. ^ Madden 07: Maddenoliday In Pictures!
  6. ^ WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Town Revels in Video-Game Connection
  7. ^ Best Games and Worst Games of 2006 at GameSpot Genre Awards
  8. ^ Spike TV Holds First Annual Guys Choice Awards Show | February 8, 2008 | AHN
  9. ^ a b c Kris Graft (2007-01-11). NPD: 2006 Record Year—$12.5B. Next-Gen.biz. Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  10. ^ Jonathan Sidener (2007-09-25). Microsoft pins Xbox 360 hopes on 'Halo 3' sales. Signonsandiego.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-29.

[edit] External links

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