It sure took EA Sports long enough. Almost a month after the new Madden NFL game was ready for consoles and as the real NFL season kicks off, the long-awaited Madden NFL 10 has been released for the iPhone.
The wait was worth it. Madden NFL 10 is not only the best football game available for the iPhone, it is simply one of the best games available.
Still, those who are familiar with the console version may be disappointed in a couple of respects. The graphics are nowhere near as nice and the players don’t move naturally at times. Also, there are only Season and Play Now modes–none of the addictive mini-games you will find on the versions for Xbox, Wii or PS3.
That said, iPhone game junkies will be impressed by this effort. The graphics are good enough and I really enjoy what EA did with the controls, especially the inclusion of a Slow-Mo button that is essential for a game that moves as fast as Madden.
The game uses a couple of features unique to the iPhone to enhance the game experience. If you want to run a hurry-up offense, you can shake the device to get your players to run to the line.
You can even call hot routes at the line of scrimmage just like other versions of the game, but instead of choosing from pre-determined routes you draw the route on your screen. In practice this feature is absolutely as cool as it sounds.
All the basics you would expect are included. That means real teams and rosters (Brett Favre and Michael Vick are in the game), individual ratings, player management options and a soundtrack along with an option to play your own music.
I understand the graphic limitations and I don’t expect to see a franchise mode anytime soon, but the lack of mini-games is a bit of a head-scratcher for me. Still, that’s the only complaint I have about Madden NFL 10.
For sports gaming fans this is a must-have app. Normally priced (and pricey) at $9.99, but just as the Madden franchise has done for 20-plus years, the game will provide you with hours and hours of fun.
