[CarryTheWeight]

Still play Madden 09 for the original Xbox every offseason and currently playing it now. It's safe to say I spent more time with that version of the game than any on the PS3/360. So much more immersive and realistic, as performance really factors into progression.

Star players emerge from the late rounds and low ratings as long as they perform well and get enough playing time. Position battles during the preseason add unpredictability. Players boom and bust with much more frequency. Good performances during a Super Bowl run mean more to your ratings than putting up big numbers when you're 3-10. Even hiring the right coaching staff matters.

Not only that but I find the gameplay more engaging and organic. Michaels and Madden, despite sounding like they phoned commentary in, follow (basic) storylines surrounding your team (they'll sometimes mention a player's season stats, make generic comments about your team's offensive/defensive performance during the year or if someone's getting the start over another player due to benching or injury).

Sure, the game's engine and graphics may be dated, but it handles gameplay and Franchise a lot better than it currently does. It's still a lot of fun to play and, to me, is about as immersive as text sims like OOTP and Football Manager.