Madden Wii..... YIKES!

[Null]

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/8323/m12sj.jpg


hands on impressions... http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/10/wii-impressions-madden-nfl-07

This doesn't work. In Madden's case, and likely most mainstream sports titles, motion-controlled functions can't compete with good looks (e.g. fluid animations, realistic physics, etc.). This is the risk Nintendo took. And this is an instance where that risk has put Nintendo at a disadvantage versus its competitors.

Madden NFL 07 is fugly, and if the tech demo of EA's next generation of sports titles we saw at Sony's media briefing is any indication, PS3, and Xbox 360 for that matter, will see some incredibly enhanced animation and physics upgrades over the coming years. Nintendo will trade these improvements for the ability to hike the ball with a wrist snap or attempt a pass with a wrist flick -- heck, Sony's PS3 controller can do that. There are other motions for jukes, straight arms, and kickoffs. But these motions don't make us feel any closer to the real sport, if anything, they're just tedious. First we have to select a receiver using the appropriate button, and then we have to flick the wrist. Why can't we just press A?

Madden for Wii needs a new direction.



maybe EA just doesnt care, i dunno.. but madden looks aboslutly amazing on PS3/360. yet this... im just simply stunned at how awful it looks. hopfully they work much much harder on fixing this.

[Typhoid]

yet this... im just simply stunned at how awful it looks. hopfully they work much much harder on fixing this.

Welcome to the graphical capabilities of the Wii.

[Dyne]

Now I'm glad EA didn't hire me to work on crap like this.

[Jonbo298]

EA is trying something different. People will try it. I'll probably rent it at the most.

Maddeon 07 will be to figure out what works on people. Madden 08 is when we see the mistakes of 07 for Wii fixed.

[Perfect Stu]

my Madden 07 fix will be on PS2 regardless of what people say about the XBox360, PS3 and Wii versions...it will be (along with XBox, im assuming) the best football game...and if I had to make an estimated guess, by a LONG shot


I dont think sim-like sports will ever work on Wii....some nice multiplayer Mario Tennis and even a game like Tiger Woods could (and should) work, but not a game like Madden. Maybe I'll be proven wrong, but I doubt it.

[BreakABone]

I find that kind of weird...

All in all, we would say that is one of our favorite games that we have played so far on the Nintendo floor. The gameplay is slick and makes you feel as if you are really playing the game. We know we can't wait to play this game around our office, and we are sure that once you put your hands on the game, you will feel the same way. Simply put, Madden '07 embodies Nintendo's Wii's catchphrase: playing = believing.

http://revolution.ign.com/articles/707/707303p1.html

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/madden07/news.html?sid=6150405

Seem pretty positive.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100045

Overall, this is the best next gen madden based on the engine alone. While it will take some getting used to, I think this would be a fun pickup aside from whatever is our main league version. I cannot imagine how this would work if there was lag online or something.

I was skeptical that Wii's controls would work well with Madden. I must admit I was really impressed because its controls are very natural and easy to pick up and run with. It was a little difficult to see the difference between a hard pass and a soft pass (they all seemed to look the same), but from a straight control standpoint it was a whole lot of fun. The biggest adjustment for me was clicking on the D-Pad/A to select a receiver and then having to remember to actually perform a physical action to throw the ball. Like everyone else I'm used to doing a series of button clicks, not having to move my arm. Once I trained myself to do that I really got into the swing of things. The controls were really responsive and I never got the feeling that things "weren't working". I actually found it easier to do things like stiffarming, because remembering to move the controller left and right is a lot more natural than having to remember a certain button.

While the graphics weren't on a level of the PS3 or XBox360 versions, Madden on the Wii is a sharp game. I didn't get to see any weather effects (the exhibition game took place in a domed stadium), but everything looked and played great. Of course, the new style of control is the main draw here, and in that department Madden is certainly looking like a success.


http://www.planetgamecube.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=11488

Granted, I understand most things come out smelling rosy in previews but most seem to enjoy.

[Null]

well that gives me a bit more hope.

[Jonbo298]

One person's opinion I guess. Not everyone will enjoy the Wii but most probably will in some way or another.

[BlueFire]

I find that kind of weird...



http://revolution.ign.com/articles/707/707303p1.html

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/sports/madden07/news.html?sid=6150405

Seem pretty positive.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100045





http://www.planetgamecube.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=11488

Granted, I understand most things come out smelling rosy in previews but most seem to enjoy.


You beat me to it...

But everyone has different tastes, I guess. I was never a Madden fan... or a sports game fan. :P

[Ginkasa]

Welcome to the graphical capabilities of the Wii.


Yes, I'm sure this is the absolute height of the Wii's graphical capability. It is entirely impossible that EA was simply not focusing on the graphics, realizing that it couldn't compare with the 360 or PS3 no matter what, and focused on trying to take advantage of the Wiimote.

There's no way that maybe EA is just supporting the Wii because another copy of Madden out there will sell just that many more copies, and that they don't actually care if it looks really well on a system people aren't expecting to be a graphical powerhouse.

Yes, I'm sure that every single game made for the Wii will not only not be as pretty as 360 or PS3 games, but describable as "fugly."


/me shrugs and walks away

[BreakABone]

Not a big Madden fan.

But some of my friends are.

Got to the point where I just need to beat em at Madden once. :p

[BlueFire]

Are graphics that important these days? Like.. seriously? I'm kind of amazed. I haven't really made a real decision if I'm even going to purchase a 'next-gen' console but from what I've seen on the Wii, the games look fine. They still make me say "wow, cool". And of course, the Xbox 360 and PS3 have amazing visuals as well, but still; big deal.. seriously. I guess I'm not just that into the technicalities of the systems. If it has games/franchises I'll want, I'll buy. I don't make a gigantic emphasis on graphics.

"Oh man, those graphics look like Gamecube graphics! Terrible!"

Tsk, tsk.

[GameMaster]

How can Null feel disappointed with those graphics when he knows systems like SNES and Genesis will never be able to replicate graphics that good looking?

[Null]

GM You lie!!! you know full well SNES gfx are better then that! thats probably just a port of Madden 95 !

[KillerGremlin]

This isn't big news, but hey what are you gonna do.

EA kinda sucks. Hopefully they'll be interested in Nintendo long enough to keep making madden games for the Wii.

Graphics DO sell madde games. Because, EA hasn't done much to change the gameplay I'll tell you that much....

[Perfect Stu]

ThBecause, EA hasn't done much to change the gameplay I'll tell you that much....




no offense, but that comment clearly displays that you:

a) dont play the madden games all that much
b) dont understand the subtleties of the sport (of football)
or
c) both

and graphics are a big deal...and I would never consider myself a 'graphics whore'. the biggest reason why someone would pick up a copy of Madden on XBox 360 over XBox has nothing to do with gameplay...the next gen gameplay was far worse...but it was about the graphics and visual presentation. maybe not the smartest purchase at the time but it makes sense and is a very good example

[KillerGremlin]

I did say graphics do sell madden games, right before your post.

Aside from updated rosters and stats, each new game is hardly an embarkment from the previous. Aside from minor graphical tweaks and gameplay changes, everything else should be offered as downloadable content.

But, for the most part, I’d say we agree here….

[Perfect Stu]

I did say graphics do sell madden games, right before your post.

Aside from updated rosters and stats, each new game is hardly an embarkment from the previous. Aside from minor graphical tweaks and gameplay changes, everything else should be offered as downloadable content.

But, for the most part, I’d say we agree here….




the second part of my post (graphics stuff) wasnt directed at you...i think maybe bluefire? my bad for not pointing that out...

[BlueFire]

and graphics are a big deal...and I would never consider myself a 'graphics whore'. the biggest reason why someone would pick up a copy of Madden on XBox 360 over XBox has nothing to do with gameplay...the next gen gameplay was far worse...but it was about the graphics and visual presentation. maybe not the smartest purchase at the time but it makes sense and is a very good example

Yeah, I know you're speaking on the behalf of most casual gamers or whatever. Most people have that attitude, too. But I was just talking abotu the graphics on the Wii as a whole. I mean, they're obviously no where near the quality of PS3 and XBox 360 but they don't look like **** either. I think they look fine but many people here are like "OMG, terrible. It looks like GC graphics, blah blah!".

[Null]

Yeah, I know you're speaking on the behalf of most casual gamers or whatever. Most people have that attitude, too. But I was just talking abotu the graphics on the Wii as a whole. I mean, they're obviously no where near the quality of PS3 and XBox 360 but they don't look like **** either. I think they look fine but many people here are like "OMG, terrible. It looks like GC graphics, blah blah!".


I always like playing the opposite side of the fence here. graphics arent what will make the game, but they certainly can break it. i know its the in thing to say graphics arent important and that its only the gameplay that matters. but it matters a lot more then many people like to admit. graphics help to pull you into the game. with madden for example... only reason i've ever played it is because its got such a cool atmosphere to it, at times like your watching real football almost.
Nintendo has taken a step towards more of a VR type of control. MS and Sony have taken that step with graphics. they're all going to the same place, which is a true VR system, like a halodeck. and graphics will play a huge huge part in that, making VR believable that your actually there. Graphics are important.

that said, the current gen doesnt by anymeans look bad. which is why it doesnt feel as big of a deal like n64/ps1 to the next gen. because its not really as big of a leap. last gen i couldnt bring myself to play PS1 games on my PS2. i'd have no problems playin PS2 games on the PS3 because they dont look bad. (i've always hated PS1/N64 graphics, i think SNES looks better)

[MuGen]

It has been an ever growing cliche that 'Graphics are just a bonus and gameplay is where it all counts.'

That phrase in a sense is true and false at the same time. I myself have accepted the fact that Nintendo wasn't going to concentrate on graphics, and thats one thing many reviewers need to accept. When I see a Wii game, obviously I'm not going to look at the graphics because I know that wasn't Nintendos sole intention. So, no 'fuglys' or 'eww gcn graphics' coming from here. The Wii will present many new options of gameplay and innovate the living room for awhile.

However on the Graphical front, you have to realize that people like to see improvements now and then. From Xbox to Xbox 360 and PS2 to PS3, they wouldn't be newer consoles or in fact next-generation without a little graphical improvement, and in this case I would say X360 and PS3 have probably pushed the envelope.

The fact is everyone cares about graphics. I've heard the phrase many times 'Graphics dont matter, it's all about gameplay!'

Yet when new visuals and screens arrive, who is also arguing the fact 'I need to see it in real time' ' thats definitely pre-rendered! ' 'amazing, is it real time?'

Everyone is amazed by visuals and polished graphics now with the next-gen, but I'm beginning to believe that people who use the gameplay over graphics cliche are the ones disappointed in the direction Nintendo took, no matter how supportive you guys sound of the Wii.

and if gameplay is what its ALL about... then where do RPG's succeed where others fail? IN GRAPHICS.....

RPG's have a HUGE fanbase and sometimes the most popular RPG's are ones with no sign of innovative gameplay... just your run of the mill Select an Action (Attack, Defend or some other battle system.)

So... where do RPG's succeed? In bringing the story of the RPG to life with stunning visuals and graphics.