Madden 09 News Post

EA Announces Madden NFL 09 Ship Date and Special Collector’s Edition

01:49 PM - March 27, 2008 by djordan

EA ANNOUNCES MADDEN NFL 09 OFFICIAL SHIP DATE
AND SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition,
including NFL Head Coach 09, Available This Summer

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., – March 27, 2008 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Madden NFL 09 will be available in retail stores in North America on August 12, including a special collector’s edition in celebration of the 20th anniversary of one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. The Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition will be the ultimate interactive NFL experience - featuring full versions of both Madden NFL 09 and the all-new NFL Head Coach 09, exclusive classic Madden NFL gameplay, and an extensive library of exclusive bonus video content.

“The Madden NFL franchise has a rich history, and we’re proud to be celebrating it with this definitive video game package,” says Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS. “Featuring two deep and innovative new standalone games, as well as a host of exclusive bonus content, the Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition is the ultimate interactive offering for both long-time Madden NFL fans and anyone who enjoys football on Sundays. I can’t think of a better way to get your NFL fix than to enjoy everything that’s unique about both Madden NFL 09 and NFL Head Coach 09, and then connecting and sharing content from both.”

Whether you prefer to make your moves on the field, from the sidelines or in the front office, the Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition has something for every football fan. Madden NFL 09 will feature the most immersive gameplay, the richest online offerings and the most comprehensive feature depth in the history of the franchise, while NFL Head Coach 09 has been reinvented to provide a unique new NFL experience by allowing fans to be in total control of their favorite franchises. The two games offer unique experiences and then can even interact with one another with gamers being able to import their user-designed plays from NFL Head Coach 09 and put them into Madden NFL 09 to create customized playbooks for complete control on the field.

“Both Madden NFL 09 and NFL Head Coach 09 are deep and unique gaming experiences that will truly immerse sports fans of all ages, skill levels and playing styles,” says Chris Erb, EA SPORTS director of marketing. “With the Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, we’re bringing two great NFL games together to create the definitive football offering.”

NFL Head Coach 09 provides the complete NFL coaching experience, offering a variety of different ways to control an NFL franchise, on and off the field, in-season and off-season. With strategic game-planning features, NFL Head Coach 09 places gamers in the coach’s seat by allowing gamers to comprehensively scout the opponent, build custom playbooks, and develop a team that will adapt to the philosophy and system of an NFL franchise.

Last year’s Madden NFL 08 was honored with various awards, including the 2007 Game Critics “Best Sports Game” award at last year’s E3 Media and Business Summit, “Best Team Sports Game” from the Spike TV Video Games Awards, “Best Sports Game of the Year” by GameTrailers’ 2007 Game of the Year Awards, GameSpot’s “Best Sports Game” Reader’s Choice Award, and the “Best Sports Games” of 2007 by MSNBC. Over the past 20 years, the Madden NFL franchise has sold over 70 million* copies and has been established as one of the most revered sports video games in the industry. Since 2002, Madden NFL has been the number one selling sports game** each year in North America.

Both Madden NFL 09 and NFL Head Coach 09 are developed in Orlando, Florida by the award-winning EA Tiburon studio, which also produces NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and NASCAR® racing.

Madden NFL 09 will be available for the Xbox 360™ video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment systems, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and is rated RP by the ESRB. NFL Head Coach 09 is scheduled to ship only as a part of the Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, which, at a suggested retail price of $89.99 for the complete package of Madden NFL 09 and NFL Head Coach 09 plus additional exclusive bonus content, will ship on the Xbox 360™ and PLAYSTATION®3.

EA SPORTS™ is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and NASCAR® racing.

For more information about Madden NFL 09 and NFL Head Coach 09, please visit www.madden09.com

* Based on internal sales data
** According to the NPD Group

Game: Madden NFL 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: NDS / PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 88 - View All

Madden NFL 09 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 coogrfan @ 03/27/08 01:57 PM

Quote:


	The two games offer unique experiences and then can even interact with one another with gamers being able to import their user-designed plays from NFL Head Coach 09 and put them into Madden NFL 09 to create customized playbooks for complete control on the field.

Niiiiiiiiiiice.

# 2 marshallfever @ 03/27/08 01:58 PM

I read that and walked away still unimpressed. Nothing really interesting mentioned. Its cool that the collectors edition will come with Head Coach 09 but how much will it cost? If its over 90+ then i don't see it being worth it in my opinion.

# 3 coogrfan @ 03/27/08 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshallfever


	I read that and walked away still unimpressed. Nothing really interesting mentioned. Its cool that the collectors edition will come with Head Coach 09 but how much will it cost? If its over 90+ then i don't see it being worth it in my opinion.

Quote:


	"Madden NFL 09 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, which, at a suggested retail price of $89.99 for the complete package of Madden NFL 09 and NFL Head Coach 09 plus additional exclusive bonus content, will ship on the Xbox 360™ and PLAYSTATION®3."

I'm there.

# 4 djordan @ 03/27/08 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshallfever


	I read that and walked away still unimpressed. Nothing really interesting mentioned. Its cool that the collectors edition will come with Head Coach 09 but how much will it cost? If its over 90+ then i don't see it being worth it in my opinion.

$90....that is a damn good steal!

# 5 SageInfinite @ 03/27/08 02:10 PM

Yea if you actually want head coach this is a good deal.

# 6 djordan @ 03/27/08 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SageTheInfinite


	Yea if you actually want head coach this is a good deal.

lol...yeah.......

# 7 TJdaSportsGuy @ 03/27/08 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshallfever


	I read that and walked away still unimpressed. Nothing really interesting mentioned. Its cool that the collectors edition will come with Head Coach 09 but how much will it cost? If its over 90+ then i don't see it being worth it in my opinion.

Maybe you would've been MORE impressed had you read the whole thing, lol. It has the price right there in the release.

# 8 coogrfan @ 03/27/08 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djordan


	lol...yeah.......

Why the laughter? From what we've seen so far the revamped NFLHC shows tremendous promise, imo. I was leaning towards getting it anyway, now EA is telling us we can get it for only $30.00?

Sold.

# 9 Kevin26385 @ 03/27/08 02:38 PM

Exclusive classic Madden Gameplay?

What does this mean, like adding in old madden games into 09? Or maybe ps2/xbox with new rosters??

# 10 djordan @ 03/27/08 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coogrfan


	Why the laughter? From what we've seen so far the revamped NFLHC shows tremendous promise, imo. I was leaning towards getting it anyway, now EA is telling us we can get it for only $30.00? Sold.

Yeah thats good money right there!

# 11 coogrfan @ 03/27/08 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev5890


	Exclusive classic Madden Gameplay? What does this mean, like adding in old madden games into 09? Or maybe ps2/xbox with new rosters??

If it's like the last collector's edition (M '05) there will likely be genesis and/or ps1 versions included.

# 12 mvb34 @ 03/27/08 02:44 PM

Cool,, I'll be pre-order this weekend..

# 13 Kevin26385 @ 03/27/08 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coogrfan


	If it's like the last collector's edition (M '05) there will likely be genesis and/or ps1 versions included.

Oh alright, I guess thats cool.

I have a great feeling from Madden this year..EA knows how to go big for anniversaries. And I can definitely see our presentation worries being solved if they add ESPN presentation.

# 14 ewto16 @ 03/27/08 03:01 PM

So instead of just adding in a playbook editor that people have been asking to be included in the game for the last 5 years, they make it part of NFL Head Coach and essentially charge you $30 to edit playbooks? Should I assume that this means that EA will put no effort into redesigning the playbooks themselves again this year?

Watching people design all these money plays with the playbook editor that the AI can't possibly keep up with will be tons of fun. The AI can't handle the standard plays in Madden properly now, let alone when people start making their own. Yeah cheese!!

What about the Owner mode funtions of the franchise? Are those basically going to be removed and moved into the Head Coach game? If I want to manage my team, will I have to have the Collectors Edition?

For $90 the game better be fantastic on the field and have way better presentation than ever before. Already sounds like they are working on other stuff (coach integration) that doesn't really effect gameplay.

Classic Madden would be cool if it actually had classic rosters. Old Madden games with current rosters is wack. I'd rather just play the originals.

# 15 Kevin26385 @ 03/27/08 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewto16


	So instead of just adding in a playbook editor that people have been asking to be included in the game for the last 5 years, they make it part of NFL Head Coach and essentially charge you $30 to edit playbooks? Should I assume that this means that EA will put no effort into redesigning the playbooks themselves again this year? Watching people design all these money plays with the playbook editor that the AI can't possibly keep up with will be tons of fun. The AI can't handle the standard plays in Madden properly now, let alone when people start making their own. Yeah cheese!! What about the Owner mode funtions of the franchise? Are those basically going to be removed and moved into the Head Coach game? If I want to manage my team, will I have to have the Collectors Edition? For $90 the game better be fantastic on the field and have way better presentation than ever before. Already sounds like they are working on other stuff (coach integration) that doesn't really effect gameplay. Classic Madden would be cool if it actually had classic rosters. Old Madden games with current rosters is wack. I'd rather just play the originals.

How about you look up some of the games features, it has a right to be a stand alone game..and EA just did us a favor

# 16 MildlyPsycho @ 03/27/08 03:12 PM

What the hell? This company confuses me so much. Why release these too titles at the same time? And with that they force consumers to buy something that they might not really want.

And what is classic Madden gameplay? Is that Madden '95? That is what I want. An updated roster version of that game.

# 17 jake44np @ 03/27/08 03:22 PM

EA is smoking crack if they think I am going to spend $90 on two bad games!!

# 18 eDotd @ 03/27/08 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_OS


	Last year’s Madden NFL 08 was honored with various awards, including the 2007 Game Critics “Best Sports Game” award at last year’s E3 Media and Business Summit, “Best Team Sports Game” from the Spike TV Video Games Awards, “Best Sports Game of the Year” by GameTrailers’ 2007 Game of the Year Awards, GameSpot’s “Best Sports Game” Reader’s Choice Award, and the “Best Sports Games” of 2007 by MSNBC. Over the past 20 years, the Madden NFL franchise has sold over 70 million* copies and has been established as one of the most revered sports video games in the industry. Since 2002, Madden NFL has been the number one selling sports game** each year in North America.

Wow, is that true? If so that's a shame.

Also the head coach play book importing sounds pretty cool.

# 19 CPRoark @ 03/27/08 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev5890


	How about you look up some of the games features, it has a right to be a stand alone game..and EA just did us a favor

As I see it, that's the problem: Head Coach should be a stand alone game. This "deal" is only good for those who were already planning to buy Madden and who may have been interested in HC09. As it is, it's forcing those of us who were only ever interested in HC09 to either buy an extremely expensive collector's edition or not play the game.

As disappointed as I've been by "next-gen" Madden's, I'm leaning toward not buying. That or wait till Gamestop starts selling unbundled used versions at $50 a piece.

# 20 coogrfan @ 03/27/08 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MildlyPsycho


	What the hell? This company confuses me so much. Why release these too titles at the same time? And with that they force consumers to buy something that they might not really want.

I'm 99.9% certain that there will be a non-collector's version of Madden as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MildlyPsycho


	And what is classic Madden gameplay? Is that Madden '95? That is what I want. An updated roster version of that game.

It's a nostalgia trip for us old-timers, it isn't like you would be paying extra for it.

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