- Wii ››
- Sports ››
- Madden NFL 07
Madden NFL 07
- December 11, 2006 14:04 PM PST
- Email this!
Realizing that the Wii's unique motion-based controls are a fitting match for sports games, Nintendo bundled all Wii consoles with the simple yet effective Wii Sports. But there was a surprising lack of America's most popular team sport, football.
- GamePro Score
- User Score
- Write your review!
Perhaps the big N realized EA, the king of digital pigskin, would probably outshine its efforts, and they were right, because the Wii version of Madden is by far, the most fun I've ever had with a football video game.
Sizing Up The Opponent
PROTIP: In multiplayer, push the B button to secretly choose a play, then press A when the cursor is over another to fake out your opponent.
Sure, Madden for the Wii doesn't reinvent the football wheel but it does have a distinctly unique feel that doesn't play like every other console version out there. So even though it does retain most of the same modes and feature, it feels completely different. The motion-sensing controls of the Wii Remote help Madden stand out on the Wii and while it's not perfect, it does a great job of emulating the basic physical movements of football.
There is a moderate learning curve with the controls, but the basics are easy to grasp. What's nice is that you don't have to go into a tutorial mode: During the game, on-screen icons will direct you to short tutorials that will help you master (or at least cope with) the controls.
I won't go through every single move but you basically swing, slide, and flick the Wii Remote and Nunchuk around to accomplish various things. For example, hiking the ball is performed by moving the remote in an upward swoop, simulating a quarterback receiving a hike. Similarly, passing is carried out with a forward swoop or tossing motion in combination with holding the appropriate face button to designate a receiver.
Lasting Appeal
It's a ton of fun, especially if a friend gets involved. The motion controls really adds to the competitive experience of the game and should lead to some intense living room battles. But the game itself has a distinctive retro feel, with its lackluster graphics.
Still, there's something about acting out the motions that makes the Wii version so much fun. It's a great new direction for the venerated franchise and I'd take it over the analog-stick Madden games any day of the week.
PROTIP: Hold down the Z button to get a wide-angle view of your receivers' routes before the snap.
