Madden NFL 08

First of all, I own both an Xbox and the newer 360. I bought Madden 08 initially for the 360 and absolutely hated it. My son likes it though, but then again he always preferred Blitz and other arcade-style football titles over the more realistic ones like Madden or Sega's series. That, by the way, perfectly describes Madden 08 on the PS3 and 360---too much like an arcade game.

Since last year's game, there are only minor improvements in Madden 08 for the Xbox and PS2. Obviously, there are some roster updates and purists will find that reason enough in itself to spend for 08.

The new "weapons" icon found on the 360 and PS3 versions is found here as well. This is indeed one of the few improvements featured on 08 sorely missing on its predecessor. Essentially, pulling back on the left trigger will highlight which players on both your team and the opponent possess "weapons." This is actually quite helpful. Say, for example, you're playing on offense against the Bears. You'll certainly want to avoid passing in the direction of CB Nathan Vasher if at all possible. If you're running the ball, you might like to avoid the route that could put you directly in the path of MLB Brian Urlacher.

Another nice little quirk appears in the Superstar mode. Before this year, you had no choice of which team you'd be selected by in the draft. If you're a diehard Cowboys fan, just imagine how sick you'd be if picked by the Redskins or 49ers. On this year's game you now have the option of being selected by your favorite team. Don't think, however, that your superstar will be #1 on the depth chart. Indeed, if you pick, say, the Colts and you're a QB, it's very likely that you'll be the back up to the back up---in other words, you'll still be #3 on the depth chart if not #4.

This year's game still has a few of the minor glitches occasionally found on last year's version. Sometimes your running back is obviously down when he fumbles, but the referees still call the play against you. Sometimes you will see a player get "stuck" behind another or whatever. Perhaps your team is beating the competition 42-0 in the middle of the fourth quarter and the opponent still "goes for it" on 4th down and 25 when, in reality, most teams would kick a field goal just to avoid the shut out. All of these things, however, are forgiveable.

There may be a tad more polish to this year's game, but it still plays essentially like 07 and earlier. In my eyes, though, that's a good thing. To me, it's still classic Madden. Maybe I'm just too old and set in my ways, but I'm in no way ready for the stellar graphics and arcade feel of the 360 version.

I've been a loyal 2k sports customer, and since Madden got NFL rights, I've stuck by my NFL 2k5. I haven't owned a Madden since '96 on the Genesis, and planned on it being that way for a while. Through friends, I had played Madden as recently as 2005, and never came away too impressed.

When I learned Madden 08 would be the last xbox title, I decided now would be the time to indulge in this forbidden game. Upon putting the game in, I was pleasantly surprised, and unpleasently hooked. Realistic gameplay, excellent graphics, and a deep franchise mode. I spent hours on franchise mode, from actual games to signing draft picks to improving players in training camp.

The only negatives I can find are a cumbersome menu interface/save system, and an AI offense too reliant on big plays (Computer's end of game stats are realistic, but too many big plays and 3 and outs, not enough real drives).

As I haven't played Madden 07/06 etc consistently, I cannot comment on whether this is "just a roster update of old Madden's, etc." But as an outsider, and a longtime video gamer, I highly recommend Madden 08.

The key for me is being able to make defensive adjusments with the line. It does look better than last year, a little. As a owner of the 360 also, that line adjustment feature should have been in the 360 version as well.

Fun to play, but still can't make half time adjustment cause that option is grayed out. Been that way on all the Maddens.

Love the game save feature, every game should allow you to save a game in progress.

For christmas 07 I purchased Madden 08 for my 13 year grandson.He is playing it as I write this .He tells me the graphics and choices he has in this game are "awesome",so I guess it's more that good .A good purchase for a gamer as I have been told by many.

I have been a madden fan since the beginning. I think that the 2008 is a great game, enjoy.