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Top Madden NFL Games of The Generation Stuck

Posted on February 22, 2013 at 11:20 AM.

(30)

It's somewhat upsetting knowing that when I countdown the top NFL games of this gaming generation, EA Sports' Madden NFL series is my only option. Clearly, Madden NFL has built up a reputation to cause the vocal minority to start a riot any chance they get.

But Madden NFL is our NFL. The Madden series, good or bad, log countless hours on our systems each season. We make awful trades and keep it a secret so we don't get flamed by our OS peers, and we have online matchups with our friends that we remember for long periods of time. For most fans, Madden NFL is the only time of year they can sit back, have a beer, and relish in their team's recent Super Bowl success.

But which version of Madden is the pinnacle of this generation? We all know Madden NFL 06 doesn't even deserve to be on the list, and Madden NFL 07 is nothing but a collector's item for a (loyal) Seattle Seahawks fan.

So to keep the list from straying into redundancy, here are the top three EA Sports Madden NFL games of the console generation.

3. Madden NFL 08

Shoot me. I'm sure you want to.

Madden NFL 08 was awesome. For it's time, it could be called a Madden game that didn't ultimately disappoint. Plus it had Vince Young on the cover, who at the time was kind of awesome. What Madden NFL 08 got right was in the gameplay. Five years ago the gameplay was polished, the graphics looked solid and you could win a football game using some real football knowledge.

This is the only other Madden game still sitting on my shelf outside of Madden NFL 13. And it's there for reasons more than nostalgia.

2. Madden NFL 11

Two years ago EA Sports gave us a mixed bag of good and evil. On one hand, locomotion and Pro-Tak damn near promised to alter the way Madden games were played; and it did, kind of, maybe. Gameflow was added, which is a very solid feature considering how many casual gamers pick up Madden. Basically, Madden NFL 11 had all of the ideas it needed to be great, but the execution was off which led to split opinions. However, in the end, Madden NFL 11 seems like it possibly set the foundation of what eventually became...

1. Madden NFL 13

Isn't it a lovely feeling knowing that the best game in the Madden NFL series happens to be the most recent. It's a very rare feeling for any sports gamer, not just a Maddenite, to take in.

Madden NFL 13 did pretty much everything right that a Madden game needed to do right. The gameplay itself is the best the series has ever put out, with the beginnings of a real and true real-time physics engine.

But what really separates Madden NFL 13 from the rest of them? Connected Careers, obviously. In what was the best new feature in all of sports gaming in 2012, Connected Careers let you create your own NFL experience. I've always been a franchise guy, and I've always thought NBA 2K's Association Mode was the cherry on top. But CCM gives out a feeling that it really is your own world. EA Sports captured the essence of the NFL and put it on a silver platter for all of us to eat. There's room for improvement, there always is. But for now, Madden NFL 13 offers a great NFL experience.

Who the hell can beat that?

What about you OS? Which EA Sports Madden NFL game was the best of this past generation?

Comments

# 16 m1ke_nyc @ Feb 24

Shocked 11 made this list. For me though it would be

Madden 13
Madden 10
Madden 12

# 17 illaim @ Feb 24

No Madden 10, but Madden 11 makes the cut?

Boo this list.

# 18 garnettfan @ Feb 24

Apf2k8 the best of the generation easy

# 19 qetuonz @ Feb 24

1. 13
2. 10
3. ?

I really like 13. It has a few tear your hair out in frustration moments, but the game overall is really solid. Has received many hours in my 360.
10 was a really good effort too, easily 2nd best.
3rd spot I would share amongst several titles as 08, 09, 11 were all pretty decent. I thought 12 was bad. Really stale, almost boring. Perhaps that is why 13 seems a lot better to me.

# 20 DJ @ Feb 24

Madden 10 was the best, by far, this generation. It is the only Madden I still play, outside of 13 on my Vita.

I'd rank Madden 13 Vita No. 2 and Madden 12 No 3.

# 21 bigdooky15 @ Feb 25

Loved Madden 08! Definitely my favorite

1) Madden 08
2) Madden 10
3) Madden 12

# 22 Anaxamander @ Feb 26

Quote:


	For it's time

God, this is my pet peeve. It should be "For its time."

My pick of this generation would have to be Madden 10. I swear the gang tackling was better in that game than in any subsequent effort. I had some really good games on 10, but I never fell in love with 11, 12, or 13.

# 23 Armor and Sword @ Feb 27

1) Madden 10

2) Madden 13

3) Madden 12

Madden 10 is the best IMO. Overall it gave me the feeling of trying to be a realistic football sim.

Madden 13 - I love, love the new passing trajectories, and although raw I enjoy the unpredictable aspect of the IE. It is a good game on the field. Off the field it is a love hate relationship. Bugs, lousy menu system and the feeling of being totally disconnected from the rest of the league while being totally immersed with my team. Great steps, but my expectations were sky high.

Madden 12 - Everything is good here except 2 very key things that over time made me quit playing. The passing game i awful and tackling is like an old Williams deluxe pinball machine.

I will not be purchasing a Madden game till I make the move to next gen which will not be for at last a couple of years. M13 and M10 are still being played (M10 for fantasy draft offline play and M13 for my offline CCM). They will suffice my NFL fix till EA hopefully get's it right all the way around.

NCAA 13 is IMO the best football game this gen.

# 24 Crash21 @ Feb 27

Madden 08 was great and the first playable version this generation. MAdden 06 and 07 were total jokes. Madden 11 (outside run was broken), 12 (defense broken running game terrible), and 13 (defense broken, BNR ruled all) were trash. 08, 09 and 10 were best.

# 25 jcofor25 @ Mar 1

10 was the best to me. But i havent played any previous versions before then. but #1 football game still goes to espn NFL 2k5 (updated rosters) HANDS DOWN!!

# 26 bsurocksrule @ Mar 3

Can we give NFL Head coach/09 an Honorable Mention? It's not madden, but it's the little brother of Madden. I'm surprised not much love is being given to this game.

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