Madden is back on the Xbox for another year and the result is pretty good. Unlike last year’s Madden 06 which didn’t really add anything new, the 07 version has some new gameplay features and some new graphical polish that make it clearly the best Madden you’ll find on the Xbox. There are still some issues here and there, and the gap between the Xbox and 360 versions of the game isn’t nearly as wide as last year, but Madden NFL 07 on the Xbox is well worth checking out for sports fans.
Quick Hits
- Title: Madden NFL 07
- Platform: Xbox
- Publisher: EA Sports
- Developer: EA Tiburon
- ESRB: “E” for Everyone
- Genre: NFL football
- Pros: Great graphics; highlight stick and lead blocker controls; well rounded features list
- Cons: Play calling system is seriously outdated; despite having more features, once you go 360 it is hard to go back to Xbox Madden
Features and Modes
Madden NFL 07 packs all of the features we have come to expect from the series – Franchise, creation options, minigames, and superstar mode - are all present and accounted for. There are some tweaks here and there, but for the most part the modes list is the same as 06. Online play is once again present and runs smoothly most of the time.
One feature that is in desperate need of improvement is the play calling. It is old and outdated and compared to the Xbox 360 version it is pretty horrible.
Gameplay
EA
What sets Madden NFL 07 apart from its predecessor is in the gameplay and the tweaks and additions you’ll find. The controls introduced in Madden over the years such as offensive and defensive playmakers, precision passing, defensive alignment, and even the much-maligned QB vision cone (completely optional) from last year are available here along with some new moves. The biggest addition is the lead blocker controls. You can now switch to a blocking player during a play to open up holes in the defense before switching back to your running back to quickly take advantage of your newly opened space. This is an amazing new feature and opens the running game up even more. It takes some time to get used to, but it is worth it. Another new feature is the highlight stick, which replaces the truck stick from last year. You can now use the right analog stick to do jukes and spins or lower your shoulders and it is all pretty intuitive. It makes running through your lead blocker created holes even more exciting. Madden 07 also makes use of the analog stick kicking from NCAA 07 which is a nice addition. Overall, Madden NFL 07 is simply a joy to play.
Graphics and Sound
Graphically, Madden NFL 07 is pretty impressive. Some other reviewers are insisting that there weren’t any graphical upgrades this year, but I don’t remember seeing any Xbox football game looking this sharp and detailed before. The game looks great, especially on an HDTV.
The sound is also very good and is up to the standards we have come to expect from Madden. John Madden and Al Michaels provide commentary, which is good or bad depending on your opinion of Madden himself.
Bottom Line
EA
Overall, Madden NFL 07 on the Xbox is a great game of football that I highly recommend. It packs enough improvements to actually be worth the investment this year, unlike the mostly lackluster Madden 06, and stands as easily the best game of football you’ll find on the Xbox. If you have a choice between the Xbox or 360 version of Madden NFL 07, however, I would recommend the 360 version. Once you have seen and played the 360 version it is hard to go back to the Xbox. It just looks better and plays just the same if not better and the play calling is far superior. It can’t match the features list mode for mode, but it makes up for it in other ways, which I prefer. If you just have an Xbox, though, this version of Madden NFL 07 is highly recommended.
