Madden NFL 06 (PlayStation Portable, 2005)

Madden NFL Football... just the thought of Madden on the go was enough to send me and other fans into a drooling frenzy... well maybe not, I don't really drool, er... you get the idea. I got this game the day it was released, and was astounded. I have played Madden on GameBoys, but the PSP port blows away its handheld counterpart.


The graphics in Madden 06 are amazing, almost as good as a console version! I couldn't believe my eyes when I first played a game, as everything was in 3D, unlike previous ports. EA definitely made use of the PSP's capabilities in this aspect.


Sound in this game is typical of most Madden games, nothing bad, but nothing great. Overall it does add to the football experience though.


Gameplay in the PSP Madden is the best part of the game, as it is comparable to the console versions. Season mode is especially fulfilling, as you can draft, sign, and train players to build your ultimate superstar team. The various difficulties are challenging... not too easy, yet not impossible.


Although Madden NFL 06 was put together into a great port package, there is one flaw worth mentioning... there were many, many glitches in the first releases of the game. I believe the later releases fixed some of the bugs, but they are still worth mentioning. At the end of games, the game would SHUT DOWN your PSP before you could save... so you had to save before you ended the game, then let it shut down, then reload and play from there. Also, some games shut down randomly. Training camp didn't always save your stat upgrades, and sometimes in-season upgrades didn't save as well. So if you're going to buy Madden, make sure you get a newer copy... one with most of the bugs fixed. These bugs are the only reason I didn't rate Madden 5/5.


Overall, Madden NFL 06 for the PSP is a great game, revolutionary for a port football game. If you're a football fan, this simply is a must have. Great graphics and awesome gameplay will keep you busy for months. Buy!