Madden NFL 07

Infobox VG
title = Madden NFL 07


caption =
aspect ratio =
resolution = 480i, 720p
developer = EA Tiburon
EA Canada (Wii)
publisher = EA Sports
distributor =
series =
engine =
released = Xbox
vgrelease|NA=August 22 2006|EU=August 25 2006|AUS=August 31 2006

PC
vgrelease|NA=August 22 2006|EU=August 25 2006|AUS=September 14 2006

PlayStation 2
vgrelease|NA=August 22 2006|EU=August 25 2006|AUS=September 14 2006

Nintendo DS
vgrelease|NA=August 22 2006|PAL=August 25 2006|JP=December 21 2006

Xbox 360
vgrelease|NA=August 22 2006|EU=September 8 2006|AUS=September 14 2006|JP=December 21 2006

PSP
vgrelease|NA=August 22 2006|PAL=October 26 2006

PlayStation 3
vgrelease|NA=November 14 2006|JP=April 26 2007

Wii
vgrelease|NA=November 14 2006|AUS=December 7 2006|EU=December 8 2006
genre = American football simulation
modes = Single-player, multiplayer (online support)
ratings = vgratings|ESRB=E|PEGI=3+|OFLCA=G|CERO=A
platforms = Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, PSP, Wii, PlayStation 3, Wireless, PC
media = Blu-ray Disc, Cartridge, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, GameCube optical disc, UMD, Wii optical disc
requirements = Windows 2000 or higher
input =

"Madden NFL 07" is the 2007 edition of the popular "Madden NFL" series. It is the first in the series to be released for the PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles. Former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander is on the cover.

Release

To mark the debut of "Madden NFL 07", EA Sports released "Madden NFL 07" in Madden, Mississippi, the only community in the United States to have the same name as John Madden. Each resident received a free Xbox 360 gaming console and a free copy of "Madden NFL 07". NFL stars in attendance were Jerry Rice, Warren Moon, and Marshall Faulk. [ [http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2006/8/23/5081 EA celebrates Madden launch by visiting Madden, Mississippi ] ] [ [http://mygamer.com/index.php?platform=&publisher=&developer=&game=&page=globalnews&mode=viewnews&id=1976 Mygamer.com :: Maddenoliday Declared in Madden Mississippi news ] ] [http://www.gamers.com/?run=news&news_id=6570] [ [http://www.meridianstar.com/local/local_story_235003528.html Meridian Star - Madden-ess! ] ] [ [http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/microsoft/maddenoliday-in-pictures-195979.php Madden 07: Maddenoliday In Pictures! ] ] [ [http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=5313436&nav=2CSf WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Town Revels in Video-Game Connection ] ]

"Madden NFL 07" was released for more formats in a single year than any previous version. In addition to its appearance on the PC platform and cell phones, versions of the game were produced for every game console of the previous generation, including the Xbox, the PlayStation 2, and the Nintendo GameCube. Hand-held versions appeared on the PSP, the Nintendo DS, and the Game Boy Advance. It is also the second iteration of the series to appear on the Xbox 360, and the first to appear on the PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles.

After John Madden's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, EA Sports released a version of "Madden NFL 07" called the "Hall of Fame Edition" with John Madden on the cover. It contained two discs, one with the normal game and the other a DVD with special features. Special features included an interview with John Madden, a behind the scenes look at the making of "Madden NFL 07", and a sneak preview of the new PlayStation 3. To go along with Madden's inception into the Hall of Fame, there are special Hall of Fame teams that players can unlock with credits earned during the game. These teams are statistically superior to the default NFL team rosters.

Features

Just as in previous titles in the "Madden NFL" series, "Madden NFL 07" makes a few additions to the general game play. The most notable features include:

* Lead Blocker Control: After selecting a running play, the player will be able to cycle through the offensive players as they get into position at the line. The player can choose the athlete to control when the ball is snapped, and the game camera will zoom in on the fullback, tackle, guard, center, tight end, or wide receiver selected. With this feature, it is now possible for the player to open up a path for a running play, as the computer controls the halfback and tries to slip through the gap created. This feature also appeals to Madden players who do not wish to use computer assistance in any way, shape, or form. This feature allows the player to manually block with their fullback, tackle, guard, center, tight end, or wide receiver and quickly switch to their halfback to manually slip through the gap created, thus eliminating any computer assistance during the gameplay.

* Highlight Stick: Players can now move the right analog stick in any direction to see an animation where the smaller running backs will duck, spin, or squirt out of a tackle. It is also possible to string such evasive moves together, piecing together a juke left with a hop step backwards (down on the right analog for stick on Ps2 and Xbox or for gamecube down on the C stick) to elude defenders. The Truck Stick animations still exist for the bigger backs, but also feature more variety of running moves with the addition of the Highlight Stick. For example, using the Highlight Stick with Tiki Barber, a smaller back not known for trucking, utilizes an array of moves to avoid and squirt out of tackles.

* Juking and Spinning: Players can now choose two types of both Jukes and Spins to avoid would-be tacklers. For the PS2, players can either do a cut move to the left or right using the L1 or R1 buttons respectively, or a wider juke to the left or right by flicking the Right Analog stick left or right respectively. For a quick spin to allude a tackler the player simply taps the circle button. For a stronger spin which could possibly break a tackle, simply hold down the circle button.

* FreeMotion Controls: The Wii version of "Madden NFL 07", which was developed at EA Canada rather than Tiburon, features a unique control scheme that has been completely redone to compliment the motion sensing capabilities of the console's Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers.

Reception and awards

* The Wii version of "Madden NFL 07" won GameSpot's award for Best Traditional Sports Game and for Best New Control Scheme of 2006. The reason cited for this selection, particularly in light of other versions that feature more detailed graphics and online play capability, is the Wii version's FreeMotion controls, which provided a fresh take on play mechanics that the editorial staff felt had grown stale after years of minimal year-to-year adjustments. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/genre/index.html?page=10 Best Games and Worst Games of 2006 at GameSpot Genre Awards ] ] GameSpot's Award for Best Original Game Mechanic (FreeMotion controls for the Wii version).
* It also won the "Best Sporting Game of 2006" on G4's television series, "X-Play".

* It was named the "Game with the most Game" on the Spike TV Guys' Choice Awards on June 13, 2007. [ [http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7007610757 Spike TV Holds First Annual Guys Choice Awards Show | February 8, 2008 | AHN ] ]

* It was named BB&B's Sports Game of the year on August 22, 2006.

US sales

In December 2006, all versions of "Madden NFL 07" combined sold 1.9 million units, making it the best-selling title that month in the United States.cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4525&Itemid=2 |publisher=Next-Gen.biz |accessdate=2007-11-01 | date=2007-01-11 |title=NPD: 2006 Record Year—$12.5B |author=Kris Graft] Overall in 2006, the PlayStation 2 version of "Madden NFL 07" sold 2.8 million units, making it the best-selling video game that year in the US, while the Xbox 360 version sold 1.1 million units in the US.

As of September 25 2007, "Madden NFL 07" is the second best-selling video game in the US with 7.4 million copies sold, according to the NPD Group.cite web |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070925-9999-1n25halo.html |title=Microsoft pins Xbox 360 hopes on 'Halo 3' sales |accessdate=2007-10-29 |author=Jonathan Sidener |date=2007-09-25 |publisher=Signonsandiego.com]

Franchise Mode dilemma

While simulating years in Franchise Mode, Defensive players attributes gradually drop while offensive players rise. Most notably on defense, the linebackers and defensive lineman and on offense the offensive line and wide receivers.

Another changed detail doesn't affect the game, but the concession Beer has been replaced by Coffee, since it is an E rated game. Seattle, which originally served coffee, now serves 2 coffees, both with different pictures and prices.

Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii versions

The next-gen version of "Madden NFL 07" featured the Superstar Mode and Franchise but the Tony Bruno Show was absent in this game possibly due to a contractual issue, but he was in the Wii version. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version also did not allow the player to edit the players appearance or attributes or change the numbers on their jerseys, but the Wii version did. Also the franchise mode is not as deep as the previous generation versions, as Owner Mode is not present. Fantasy Draft and Two-Player co-operative play are missing as well. Also as the player unlocks more legendary players the current free agents will disappear and no longer be available for signing. Also this game would be the last appearance of the NFL Europe teams in the Playstation 2 and Xbox versions, next gen games came without the league teams.

Soundtrack

* 30 Seconds to Mars - "Battle Of One"
* AFI - "Summer Shudder"
* Al Fatz - "Came Down"
* Anti-Flag - "This Is The End (For You My Friend)"
* Atreyu - "Ex's And Oh's"
* Audioslave - "Revelations"
* Bishop Lamont feat. Chevy Jones - "The Best"
* Cartel - "Say Anything (Else)"
* Cord - "Go Either Way"
* Damone - "Out Here All Night"
* Dashboard Confessional - "Reason To Believe"
* Dynamite MC - "Bounce"
* Feezy 350 - "Playa What"
* Glasses Malone - "Right Now"
* Green Day - "American Idiot" (Hall of Fame edition only)
* Haley Hunt - "Won't Stop Runnin" feat. Goose and Reason (Produced By Trae Coner)
* Hit The Lights - "Until We Get Caught"
* Keane - "Is It Any Wonder?"
* Less Than Jake - "A Still Life Franchise"
* Lupe Fiasco feat. Jonah Matranga - "The Instrumental"
* Matchbook Romance - "Monsters"
* Omnisoul - "Not Giving Up"
* Rise Against - "Drones"
* Riverboat Gamblers - "On Again Off Again"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "A Chilling Championship"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "A Golden Boy Again"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "A New Game"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "Classic Battle"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "Magnificent Eleven"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "Ramblin' Man From Gramblin'"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "Round-Up"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "Salute to Courage"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "The Equalizer"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "The Final Quest"
* Sam Spence (NFL Films) - "Up She Rises"
* Saves the Day - "Head For The Hills"
* Shorty Da Kid - "Get Loose"
* Spank Rock - "Backyard Betty"
* Sparta - "Future Needs" (later renamed "Taking Back Control")
* Taking Back Sunday - "Spin"
* The Panic Channel - "Teahouse Of The Spirits"
* The Pink Spiders - "Easy Way Out"
* The Rapture - "WAYUH"
* The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - "In Fate's Hands"
* The Sleeping - "Don't Hold Back"
* Trae - "Real Talk"
* Underoath - "You're Ever So Inviting"
* Wolfmother - "Woman"

References

External links

* [http://www.easports.com/madden07/ Official Web site]