The last two seasons of Madden on the Xbox 360 looked okay, but there just wasn’t enough polish. In 08 the player models fit the build of the positions they play, so kickers are small, QB’s are average, WR’s are think and lanky, and linemen are big boys with big bellies too boot. While the faces still aren’t up to snuff, the animations and textures on the jerseys are spectacular. Not only do you have new jumping, catching, hitting, and tackle animations (including wrap tackles), but the collision detection is remarkable as players now will evade other players instead of being grabbed by some invisible player. The Stadiums are now even more impressive with plenty of new presentation bonus packages such as starting line up videos, scoreboard updates, and the ever so cool injury tracker. While I’m still lost as to why the ESPN license isn’t being used to its fullest potential, maybe one day EA will deliver that TV experience we’ve been begging for since 2K introduced it in 2K5.

Speaking of TV style presentation, would someone please tell EA to get rid of the EA radio guy? Seriously, even though his comments are more emotion filled, there just isn’t any joy attached without a color or play by play man on the field. As much as I hate to say it I miss John and Al, or John and Pat and really wish for those days again. Which brings me back to the point, why are you paying ESPN money if you aren’t gonna at least use the ESPN football commentators? Otherwise the sounds are loud, explosive, and full of hits, groans, and helmets crashing. The crowd is wonderful as well and is even reactive when you hit the red zone or are backed up against your own end zone.

On the PS2 and Xbox, Madden was well known for their stellar game play and realistic final scores and stats. The game just played so much like football you could smell the sweat and pigskin. For the first two incarnations on next gen, this hasn’t been the case in the slightest. Well those days are said and gone, and as the old cliché says, 3rd time’s a charm! The folks at EA really did some soul searching this year and have delivered the best playing Madden title since Madden 05. You have full control over you play calling audibles, line blitzes, coverage, double covers, low hit tackles, backward passing, precision passing, motion kicking, etc. The game is just too fun it hurts sometimes. Everything you’d want accessible in the NFL is at your fingertips in Madden NFL 08 minus the pit bull fighting charges. The A.I. is really smart as well, especially the deep cover men. A big addition this year is the weapons system that lets you know just who your big players are on each team. You can even turn mediocre players into your new weapons with off the field training. This also allows you to read and react to situations on the field so you’ll know who to cover or double cover as the case may be, and exploit certain profile players strengths and weaknesses.

So it looks, sounds, and plays great, but does it have the options? You bet your sweet fanny it does. All the modes you knew and loved from Madden of old is back and in next generation form. You have a new franchise mode, complete with owners capability, stadium editor/creator, and the ability to literally create your own dynasty. You also have a new gamer level tracker that is done via a Super Bowl ring. The better you perform, the more points you get to build your ring ‘til it’s a ring of champions. Not only that, but if you have your ring attached to your gamer tag you can order a real life ring from Jostens as well! Of course create a player, play now, and online modes are here, but unfortunately no online leagues which is the only major flaw of this year’s Madden goodness.

Minus a few hitches here and there with presentation, commentary, and no online leagues, this may be one of the best Madden titles in recent memory, and easily the best on next gen platforms. If you haven’t gotten your football on yet, the season is right around the corner, so get your virtual game on with the best in the business, Madden NFL 08.