Aug 14
Wii Madden 2008 is Here!
Happy Madden Day! Madden 2008 for the Wii, 360, PS3, is now available! It of course promises the latest graphics, stats and unbelievable gameplay that the franchise has been known for.
Now you may think that with a lead in like that, you would be finding a die hard Madden fan front and center. Well you’re not. Well you’re kinda not going to. Hm. Perhaps an explanation is an order.
My History with Madden
I used to be a big fan of Madden. If memory serves correct, the first Madden game I had was Madden 94 for Genesis. (Was that the first time “Genesis” was uttered on here?) Anyway, it was a fun game and I had my play that could destroy entire defenses. The play was simply called…
HB Toss Left (Graphics, not the play pictured below)
As soon as you made the toss, just fake right and then go up the sideline for the easy 80 yard touch down. Now this was a game I could play.
The Current Predicament
In a nutshell the problem is the game has passed me by. I don’t know when it happened but the game is so freakin realistic strategerie wise that you really need to know how football plays work to get anything done. And I’ll tell ya, this guy doesn’t know football plays with the exception of HB toss left. Worse than that, this guy doesn’t know how call defense which is a recipe for disaster.
The Straw That Broke This Camel’s Back
It was probably about a year or two ago now that I was playing Madden (prob 06) with a true Madden degenerate, my good friend Big Talkin Bubba. You know the type of degenerate I’m talkin’ about. He plays online, thinks about his record often, goes through drafts, seasons, goes after the trophies etc. Anyway, so he’s playing me and at half time it’s basically 67 to 7 him leading. No joke.
Now for a big game player like me, this was really demoralizing. But in fairness, he’s kind of like my video game rival so if anyone was going to twist the knife I guess I was ok with it being him. But of course, he couldn’t just give me the beating like a friend. At halftime he thought that it would be fun to bet me money that he could get to 100. *sigh* But being the strategic mastermind that I was, I took his bet. And I won.
With 5 minute quarters, all I had to do was basically call running plays and get the occasional first down to waste every last bit of time I could during my possessions. Even though I still lost the game by something like 80 points I achieved a moral victory that day… As small as it was.
Fast Forward to Now
As with every new incarnation of Madden, I’m thinking about getting it. And now that I have a Wii, I’m thinking about getting it just to have fun with the Wiimote and maybe learn the game a bit more so I won’t embarrass myself in front of my friends anymore. But this strategy does have some flaws…
- Wii gameplay probably won’t translate to other systems
- Wii online mode (if available) almost certainly won’t let me play with others and will probably pale in comparison to Xbox Live
So I wonder, do I go for it? When I got 2006 I got so frustrated getting beaten in it all the time, I actually returned it. (Yeah, I know). Now the Wii version does have some great features some exclusive to Wii, and some just exclusive to 2008.
- Family Play + Advanced Play – Allows users to play the game with the Wiimote or with both the Wiimote and Nunchak
- Telestrating – Exclusive to the Wii me thinks, it allows you to break down replays just like the pros, drawing on the screen for maximum smack talking
- Football 101 – This is a big one that apparently teaches you about football! Though I know the game enough to enjoy and watch it like crazy during the season, my current knowledge is not enough for Madden. (Weird huh?)
So what do you guys think?
Do I get the new version for the Wii? Do I get it for the 360 since I should be getting a system in the next week or so? Or do I just call it a day and give up? BTW, if you want to see some more about Madden 2008, click the above pic or hop over to IGN here.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:03 am
I would say get if for Xbox 360. I am going to be getting it later tonight for Xbox 360 and in a week or so we can exchange gamertags and play against each other!
August 15th, 2007 at 9:46 am
@Apexad – Sounds good man. You know, (in a slight side note), I heard the 360 version runs at 60FPS while the PS3 version runs at 30FPS! I would’ve thought (that if anything) that’d be reversed. *shrugs*
August 15th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Is it available for the PC .
August 15th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
@Madhur – Absolutely! Go here for details: http://www.easports.com/maddennfl/home.jsp
August 19th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Hi, Bush! Could it be? Have you actually posted a photo of yourself on here?
I don’t care about Madden. I want to know which guy is you!
August 19th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
@Tish – Ha ha. I’m the guy on the right. PLUS, you can always find a pic (much better might I add) on the about page!
August 19th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Actually, I just checked your About page. When did you sneak that photo in there? I swear, I thought I looked before and didn’t see a photo. Sorry about that!
You’re a cutie!
August 19th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Wow, Bush. That was a quick response! I posted my second comment and then saw yours. You’re on the ball!
August 19th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
@Tish – Thank you for the compliment. (#):) You know, I was actually going to compliment you on a pic you had posted the other day, but it looked like you already had a million comments so I didn’t want to pile on.
But I will anyway…
Your hair looks great! (#):D
August 19th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Thank you very much, Bush.
I just posted a new photo tonight actually. Unfortunately, it was taken on Friday, and Fridays are bad hair days. 
I hope you’re having a great night! I’m watching a Bones Season 1 marathon, compliments of Netflix!
August 20th, 2007 at 6:06 am
@Tish – BONES huh? That’s with David Boreanz(sp) yeah? I haven’t seen a single episode but it looks pretty good. … I wonder why I haven’t ’cause god knows I watch enough TV. And if you like it, its probably good. …I’ll have to add that to my queue…
August 20th, 2007 at 6:53 am
It’s a great show, Bush! And yes, it stars David Boreanez. I used to love him on Angel and Buffy!
You should definitely add it to your queue. Speaking of that, why is your queue so…empty? hehe. I need to help you select some movies!
Have a great day! And thanks for that lovely comment on my photo! haha…
August 20th, 2007 at 6:56 am
@Tish – Man, I didn’t even notice it was that empty. I’ve been meaning to add more, but I’ve yet to get to Hero. I think 2001 pretty much broke me for a while. (#):)
August 20th, 2007 at 9:46 am
I think it’s hilarious that we’re having some an extended conversation in your comments.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Oops, that should have such “such” instead of “some”.