Sports leagues across the world are no stranger to yearly video game releases, for better and for worse. One of the most popular is the National Football League's Madden NFL series by EA Sports. Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach and broadcaster John Madden, the Madden NFL series is about to release its first entry since Madden's passing in December 2021. In addition, Madden NFL 23 will honor Madden by featuring him as the cover star for the first time since Madden NFL 2000.
Madden NFL 23 hopes to be a return to form for a series flooded with controversy and unpopular entries in recent years. But, like fans of a franchise that hasn't won a Super Bowl in decades, it's easy to harken back to the glory days of the Madden NFL franchise and hope that next season will be different.
Not all Madden NFL games have a Metacritic score; the scores listed are from the system with the most reviews.
10 Madden NFL 09 Celebrated 20-Years Of Madden NFL (83 Metacritic Score, 360)
Madden NFL 09 was released in time for the 2008-09 season, which the Pittsburgh Steelers won in Super Bowl XLIII. Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre was the cover athlete initially meant to celebrate his retirement. However, a week before Madden NFL 09's release, Favre unretired and joined the New York Jets, prompting EA Sports to provide printable covers of Favre in his new uniform.
Updates from Madden NFL 08 were minimal. The most notable difference with the removal of the quarterback passing cone, which debuted in Madden NFL 06, and a new commentating team of Tom Hammond and Chris Collinsworth on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. Madden NFL 16 also received an 83 Metacritic score for the PlayStation 4.
9 Madden NFL 11 Introduced Madden Ultimate Team (84 Metacritic Score, 360)
Madden NFL 11 was released in time for the 2010-11 season, which the Green Bay Packers won in Super Bowl XLV. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was the cover athlete after leading the Saints to their first Super Bowl championship the previous season.
Madden NFL 11 was the first Madden NFL game to incorporate the "Madden Ultimate Team" mode, where players can collect digital cards and build their teams by completing challenges and/or purchasing currency to buy them through a loot box system. MUT, and similar modes, have grown increasingly popular across all sports games.
8 Madden NFL 10 Pursued A More Accurate Representation (85 Metacritic Score, 360)
Madden NFL 10 was released in time for the 2009-10 season, which the New Orleans Saints won in Super Bowl XLIV. Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald were the cover athletes as both competed in Super Bowl XLIII in the previous season.
Most of Madden NFL 10's features were centered around the rating system. Additionally, EA Sports sought to represent how players play and their talent levels more accurately. Other additions to improve realism include an updated injury system and the ability for players to influence a fumbled ball pile-up in order to gain control of the ball.
7 Madden NFL 08 Introduced Fatigue Both Within Gameplay And For The Series As A Whole (85 Metacritic Score, 360)
Madden NFL 08 was released in time for the 2007-08 season, which the New York Giants won in Super Bowl XLII. Tennesee Titans quarterback Vince Young was the cover athlete after winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in the previous season.
Madden NFL 08 primarily tried to improve animations as the Madden NFL series was now on its third game in the seventh generation. Online Season mode made its return in Madden NFL 08, while Madden NFL 2005's "Hit Stick" received an upgrade. A fatigue system was also implemented where players are affected by how much they play or the weather.
6 Madden NFL 06 Was The Start Of The Controversial Passing Cone (86 Metacritic Score, PS2)
Madden NFL 06 was released in time for the 2005-06 season, which the Pittsburgh Steelers won in Super Bowl XL. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was the cover athlete.
Madden NFL 06 was a launch title for the Xbox 360 and introduced the controversial Vision Control, passing cone mechanic. The passing cone depicted a quarterback's field of vision, allowing players to control where a quarterback is looking. Quarterbacks are more accurate if they throw to a receiver within that line of sight. Madden NFL 06 also introduced the Superstar mode, where a player can play through the career of a single, created player.
5 Madden NFL 2005 Was The Last Madden NFL Game With Competition (91 Metacritic Score, Xbox)
Madden NFL 2005 was released in time for the 2004-05 season, which the New England Patriots won in Super Bowl XXXIX. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis was the cover athlete. This was the last Madden NFL game to have direct competition as EA Sports would obtain exclusive rights to make NFL video games.
Madden NFL 2005 introduced the Hit Stick mechanic, allowing players to dictate how they tackle using the right analog stick, often leading to explosive tackles. The term "Hit Stick" has continued to be used to describe highlight reel tackles, whether in the NFL or otherwise. The Truck Stick's offensive version was introduced in Madden NFL 06.
4 Madden NFL 2001 Was A Significant Leap For The Series (91 Metacritic Score, PS2)
Madden NFL 2001 was released in time for the 2000-01 season, which the Baltimore Ravens won in Super Bowl XXXV. Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George was the cover athlete, making him the first true cover athlete in the Madden NFL series.
Madden NFL 2001 offered players numerous customizable features, such as the ability to create a player or a play. Madden NFL 2001 was the first Madden NFL game to include the Franchise mode, giving players greater control of a franchise beyond the on-field play.
3 Madden NFL 2004 Has One Of The Most Overpowered Athletes In A Video Game (94 Metacritic Score, PS2)
Madden NFL 2004 was released in time for the 2003-04 season, which the New England Patriots won in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was the cover athlete.
Madden NFL 2004 is perhaps known by its cover athlete, Michael Vick, whose fast play on the field in Madden NFL 2004 was considered overpowered, similar to Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl. Madden NFL 2004 expanded franchise mode by including ownership options such as setting the price of food at games.
2 Madden NFL 2002 Didn't Need To Fix What Wasn't Broken (94 Metacritic Score, PS2)
Madden NFL 2002 was released in time for the 2001-02 season, which the New England Patriots won in Super Bowl XXXVI. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper was the cover athlete.
Madden NFL 2002 was more about refinements than introducing new features. However, its Madden Classic mode did well to emulate old-school, 16-bit Madden NFL games. This was also the first Madden NFL game to include quarterback Tom Brady by name. Coming off his surprise Super Bowl run, Brady had to be added to later releases of the game. Brady had a 51 overall rating.
1 Madden NFL 2003 Was Music To The Ears Of Players (95 Metacritic Score, PS2)
Madden NFL 2003 was released in time for the 2002-03 season, which the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won in Super Bowl XXXVII. St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk was the cover athlete. Madden NFL 23 marks 20 years since Madden NFL 2003's release.
Madden NFL 2003 is best remembered as the first Madden NFL game with a licensed soundtrack featuring artists such as Nappy Roots, Andrew W.K., Bon Jovi, and Good Charlotte. Additionally, Madden NFL 2003 was the first Madden NFL game to feature full online play exclusively for the PS2 as well as the expansion Houston Texans franchise, who were entering their first season.