Early Madden 10 Wii Preview
by 
Ever since the Wii exploded onto the scene there has been the question what the user base would respond to when it came to licensed sports games. By in large the efforts so far have been met with apathy. The only one that has been a real success is the Tiger Woods series. That and Grand Slam Tennis now get the enhancement that comes with Wii MotionPlus. Nascar Kart Racing recently joined the success column as they went away from sim to completely arcade. However team sports games don’t seem to translate as well to the console and attempts to straddle the hardcore-casual line (All-Play) have not worked out.
Thankfully EA Sports seems to have realized this and we’re seeing the start of a new direction for the Wii with Madden 10. No one gets excited about playing the PS2 version of Madden on the Wii. Instead the idea was to create a completely new and fun experience. This is the first year the Wii version has been developed at the Tiburon studio which is significant and should result in better offerings going forward.
Madden 09 on the Wii was a decent game. Outside of the 5 on 5 mode however there really wasn’t any reason to play that over the 360/PS3 version. Even as the game tried to be attractive to the casual crowd it remained a little over-complicated and unnatural to play.
The most obvious change for 10 is the new art style which presents five different body types, all of which are exaggerated to fit the different positions. The Wii version isn’t supposed to be completely serious so having that unique look is refreshing. I got a good laugh out of seeing Matt Hasselbeck so oddly shaped. The graphics aren’t going to be spectacular so they should attempt what they can to offset that. The cartooney style they have this year does an admirable job. I almost thought they could’ve gone more ridiculous looking though. It half looks like they went for the new style and half that it was unintended and just a result of the mediocre graphics of the Wii.
Last year the game introduced “Call Your Shot” where you could draw receiver routes on the screen and run quasi-created plays. For 10 they’ve added what is being called “Call Your Coverage” to defense. Simply point on and select a player and then place their assignment. Choosing an offensive player they will be put into man on that individual while choosing an open area will put them in a zone coverage.
The controls in 09 were deemed to be too complicated so they were simplified this year. Instead of selecting the receiver then making a throwing motion you just point the wiimote at the receiver you want to throw to and hit the button. Also instead of having different moves based on the motion made now just shake the wiimote and the game will make the best suited move for the situation. The old control scheme can be switched back to, but really I think the crowd who just wants to play and enjoy the game will like the changes that have been made.
All the stadiums have been completely re-built. While they aren’t 100% accurate they are a reasonable representation of their real-life counterparts. The gameplay screen is easier to read with score and clock now much larger.
I was encouraged by what I saw of Madden 10 on the Wii. These are just some basic changes that have been made to the game and the new direction it is headed. They developers seem know what has to be done and that is to create something that attracts the casual/family crowd as well as those purchasing it as a complimentary title to the 360/PS3 version.
April 30, 2009 at 8:11 am
Orale! the wii por vida
April 30, 2009 at 8:34 am
WHAT THE F*** is that,LOL!!!??? I GUESS THATS FOR KIDS
April 30, 2009 at 9:20 am
why do the players look like freaks and aliens? why does that make it for kids?
April 30, 2009 at 10:39 am
AHAHAHHA How Cute
April 30, 2009 at 1:15 pm
And you se why a lot of people don't take the Wii serious. I will however buy one for my girlfriend because she is into games the Wii has to offer. Hopefully my 6yo nephew can play this version since he had a hard time playing last years version.
April 30, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Wow, the graphics are amazing! Why is Martin Gramatica wearing Peyton Manning's jersey though?
/couldn't resist.
April 30, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Wow, the graphics are amazing!
Why is Martin Gramatica wearing Peyton Manning's jersey though?
/couldn't resist.
April 30, 2009 at 5:16 pm
hahahahhahahahahaha
April 30, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Casual + Fun = bad graphics, goofy gameplay. Typical for the Wii. Still continues to amaze me that all these people get sucked into buying the Wii. What a joke. I was one of those suckers, and mine just collects dust.
Worst gaming purchase I've ever made.
April 30, 2009 at 3:26 pm
no wii fit???
April 30, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Actually, got suckered into that too. Wife just had to have it. I thought it would be cool too. Collects dust with the Wii now. Played it for about a month, but couldn't stand how long it took to get to each exercise, and after I realized I could be doing the same workout in about half the time, I stopped using it. I liked how it tracked your weight and everything. That was pretty cool. Cool scale I guess.
April 30, 2009 at 3:54 pm
It's fun the first the first time you use it but after a while it does get kind of bland.
I quit playing if after i did the infamous Island Lap Run. couldnt walk right for a week.
why would i want to run in place for 10 mins when i could do it outside?
April 30, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Not to mention the fact that the remote never actually responded right to how fast you were running in place. Kind of defeated the purpose.
April 30, 2009 at 6:49 am
I like what they have done with the Wii version and may actually purchase a Wii for madden, grand slam, and tiger woods.
I am not a madden guy, so to attract me is huge. I am an Ncaa guy. I think this game could have much broader appeal than most of us think. I like the team fortress 2 style graphics for the Wii. The Wii is a party system, and for the most part your not going to play hardcore games on the Wii. Everyone knew this when they purchased it. The majority of people are not hardcore gamers, but hopefully the Wii version will still have franchise mode and actual workable online play. I only own a PS3. I am not a fanboy of any system. But I am sure that Sony and microsoft are heading the way of the Wii with it’s own motion control. It’s the evolution of gaming. As such it will take some time for developers to nail down the gameplay. Good work EA. I am glad to see you didnt port over the ps2 version.
April 30, 2009 at 3:04 pm
The Wii is not the only system that has motion control. The PS3 has the capability with the Sixaxis controller already, it's just done in a different way and not hyped as some great innovative thing like it is on the Wii. I can only point at the screen and shake the controller so many times before it just gets boring on the Wii. And if the evolution of gaming is shaking the controller and pointing it at the screen, then I fear for gaming. The evolution in gaming is already happening on the Xbox360 and PS3 with amazing titles coming out every month. If they dumb down their games to compete with the Wii they are going to be making a mistake.____I'll take great gameplay and graphics over motion control anytime. And if being a "hardcore" gamer means I like to play good games, then I guess I'm a "hardcore" gamer. And I own all three systems and am not a fanboy either, just know what good gaming is when I see it and I know what hype is when I see it too. ____Anyway, I know you didn't direct this comment to me personally, but I had to respond anyway. As you can tell, I feel pretty strongly about the subject . ____Peace
April 30, 2009 at 2:53 pm
um, funny, but the ps2 version BLEW away the next gen maddesn the last few years, which the wii game was ported from.
u guys r being unfair,and its 'cool' to bash the wii.
slacker, those r the 3 games i am getting as well.
how did 09 work out for the ps360 last year guys.
EXACTLY!
madden 0 for thr wii was sports game of the year.
how'd u guys enojy it for p3 and 360?
EXACTLY
April 30, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Ummm, Madden 09 for the PS3 and Xbox360 was actually a good game, so I have no idea what you're talking about. And I don't think it's "cool" to bash the Wii. I bought one. I was suckered into the hype too. But the fact is, the Wii is for children and non-traditional gamers. Nintendo is rushing to develop the next overhyped console so they can compete with the 360 and PS3 in the coming years, because right now it's a joke. Name the last great Wii game. Umm…EXACTLY! In the time it took you to think of one, I had several pop to mind for both the 360 and PS3, and that was just from the last six months.
But if you enjoy your Wii, more power to you. There's nothing wrong with that. I just get sick of it getting so much attention when it's an obvously inferior piece of technology.
April 30, 2009 at 3:18 pm
'Thankfully' to EA, Facebreaker characters are back, but this time on the football field.
Serious sport games + cartoony characters were failed in many prevoius games, boxing, basketball, hokey, U name it. Why EA just recycle these ideas again and again, they never learn?
April 30, 2009 at 3:32 pm
The wii doesn't have the power to produce games with good graphics and great gameplay, the system wasn't built for that. the wii was made for family play and, so in this case the madden 10 game will be fun and successful. i'm not gonna buy it but i know that if i came across it one day, i wouldnt mind investing some time playing it and having some fun.
April 30, 2009 at 3:51 pm
"The wii doesn't have the power to produce games with good graphics and great gameplay" quote from previous post.
My point exactly!
And I don't necessarily think that childlike graphics and gameplay necessarily=fun. But like I said, to each his own. And if I had a kid, I'd be happy to keep my Wii around. And I know it would be getting more play time then. So, like I said, it's a good system for children and adults that don't know better. And therin lies the genius of the Nintendo brand. Okay, I'll shut up about this now.
Peace
April 30, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Pasta, why do you have to kiss EA's ass at every opportunity? This game looks like shit
April 30, 2009 at 4:46 pm
He doesn't kiss EA's ass. This website is devoted to Sports gaming, and right now EA is really the only major developer that releases the majority of sports titles. I like it that he is willing to present all the games initially without bias, but as you would see if you actually read the posts, he too, has knocked the games for their faults. Just simply reporting on titles doesn't make you a kiss-ass. It's actually the point of the website.
Now, I agree this game looks like crap, but I don't fault Pasta for posting an article about it because there are obviously gamers out there that want to know about this title.
April 30, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Mculberson your check is in the mail.
way to kiss pastas ass.
April 30, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Brian 'Pasta' was, or still is an undercover EA community leader. I think, this homepage reflects this fact pretty well. If not, check this: http://games.easports.com/ncaa09/news.jsp?itemID=...
April 30, 2009 at 5:30 pm
WHO CARES!!! I don't care what kind of "undercover" person he is, this is one of the best sites to go to for sports gaming info so get over it. It's not anyone's fault other than other game developers that EA does most of the developing in this area. And if you don't like it, why bother even coming to this site? Name a game that has gotten ignored because it wasn't an EA game and you'd have a point. But I've been coming to this site for some time (the first time was for MLB The Show 08 previews…NOT AN EA GAME!) and if a sport game is going to be released, it's been here.
April 30, 2009 at 6:24 pm
I'm pretty sure I fall more on the media side now, there is no "community leader" program anymore. Whens the last time I went to a community event? I've been turning them down.
April 30, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I'm not kissing anyone's ass. I was just stating the facts. The fact that you don't understand the purpose of this site is not my fault. Tell me about another sports title out there that isn't an EA game that people want to here about…
Crickets…silence…hmmmm……
There was plenty on here about MLB 2K9, and that is a HORRIBLE game. Name another sports game that has been neglected and maybe you'll have more to add than just two lines of comments knocking anything having to do with the evil empire that is EA. I wish more developers made good sports games, but as it stands, it's just the way things are. Sony proved with The Show that it's possible to make a great sports game, sell a ton, and not be EA, so it can be done. Saw plenty on here about that game too.
Peace
April 30, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Didnt pasta highly criticize Mlb 2k9 and praise the The Show for being the best baseball video game, which is not an EA game?
April 30, 2009 at 5:17 pm
im glad i gave up my Wii for my 360 because i am a hardcore gamer and the Wii didn't do it for me it was fun in it's own way but i would rather be chainsawing locusts on Gears of War 2 than collect stars on Super Mario Galaxy, that's just who i am. the only thing better about the Wii Madden was the franchise mode but other than that the 360 Madden killed it….
April 30, 2009 at 5:35 pm
GOW 2.. Sic game
May 1, 2009 at 2:47 am
yes….. yes it is…… i'm in the process of beating it by myself on insane. about 35% done =/.
April 30, 2009 at 9:27 am
Look I was not knocking 360 or ps3. I have owned both 360 and ps3. I got mad at microsoft after two RROD. I currently only have a PS3. But I am off point… My point is, I like the art direction and gameplay controls implemented in Wii madden. I play the game with my nephew and niece who are children. They could not play the ps3 version. I think being able to attract casual gamers thru motion control is the future. But it is a delicate balance trying to keep the hardcore satisfied as well. It appears to me that EA is trying to do this. I honestly believe a wii type controller is coming to both 360 and ps3. My guess is grand slam tennis will have the motion controls implemented when it comes to ps3 and 360. I agree ps3 sixacis control is decent. Flower and bowling do a good job of using it. All I am saying was my girlfriend, family, and friends wives or girlfriends are not lining up to sit down with the guys and play Madden with me on Ps3. But will line up to play wii sports. So there is definTely and audience for it.
April 30, 2009 at 5:54 pm
completely agree. i just dont think EA will ever get the hardcore madden fans excited about the wii version. they NEED perfection and seeing as how no video game including Madden will ever be perfect they will never be pleased. i dont think any hardcore gamer will disagree with me about that.
April 30, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I totally understand your point, and like I said in my earlier comment, I don't fault anyone for that. The only reason I even still have my Wii is because of my wife, so I know there is a market for it. I'm on my 3rd Xbox360 as well (luckily they replaced for free each time) so I have my own feelings about microsoft as well, but I still love my 360 (until it breaks again) and am thankful I got to play Fable 2 and Gear of War 2.
The closest to a perfect system for me is the PS3, because it is a great piece of hardware and offers great first party titles (Metal Gear, The Show, Uncharted, God of War 3, LittleBigPlanet to name a fewe) not to mention it's a blu-ray player.
I consider myself an experienced gamer, but I look at "hardcore" gamers being the ones that finish games to 100%, spend 8 hours a day playing, etc…etc. I play a couple hours a day at most and I probably get to complete 1 in 4 games before I get bored of it and move on to the next (Sports games excluded…I play those like crazy) Thank God for Gamefly!
OKay, no more off topic. Got way to much time on my hands here are work. Back to work…
April 30, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Pasta,
Going a tad off topic. Will you have any information in regards to The Show patch? I didn't know if you had any impressions….
April 30, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Been wanting to know about this too. I'm still playing in franchise mode, but haven't been able to continue my RTTS character since it crashes. They said they are going to fix it, but I'm wondering when. Hopefully soon!
April 30, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Actually, I didn't know the patch had been released. Haven't played for a couple of days. Good to know though. Can't wait to get home and try out my RTTS and see if I can actually get past the 15th of September. As long as they fix that, I'll be happy.
April 30, 2009 at 10:29 am
Mculberson, I completely agree with you. Alright guys, I gotta get back to work. Can anyone confirm franchise mode in Wii Madden 10? Also Pasta, will any if the EA sports games use Wii chat?
April 30, 2009 at 7:37 pm
That's something I can check into when they have the full game on display at E3 and are able to talk about everything.
April 30, 2009 at 7:06 pm
that's because EA didn't have a MLB game. If they did, he would have rubbed his balls all over it
April 30, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Yes, MLB2k9 does suck, that's not the point.
April 30, 2009 at 7:22 pm
"that's because EA didn't have a MLB game. If they did, he would have rubbed his balls all over it"
so that was your first comment before the edit?
April 30, 2009 at 7:57 pm
The patch has been released (I am sure you are aware). I have read mixed impressions on how many items weren't fixed. I am wondering if it will impact my current franchise or not.
I did hear that the scheduling issues in regards to day / night games has been fixed, specifically with the Cubs….
April 30, 2009 at 10:03 pm
hnsworth is way bigger than that and so larry fitsjerld will look just like wes welker
April 30, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I love the Wii, but I'm not buying Madden on that console. I'm stick with MadWorld, Smackdown vs Raw, Zelda and The Conduit on the Wii. Madden NFL 10 I will be getting that for the XBOX 360.
May 1, 2009 at 3:50 pm
MAdden 09 Wii was a decent game. Online was rather solid (and NO FRIEND CODES!!) and while the advanced controls had a learning curve, they worked fine.
That said, the 2010 editions new control scheme looks awesome. Saw the tech demo video for it @ IGN the other day. Call Your Shots remains!! And is also available for defense – IR pointer hot routes? Hell yes! Move your QB while simultaneously & independetly aiming your pass? Double Hell Yes!!!
May 1, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I find the 2010 Wii look to be cool. EA has been throwong around the word "stylized" a lot with this. While the Wii will never produce 360/PS3 level graphics (although Conduit can at times look sorta close to a 360 launch title), seeing devs playing to both Wii's graphical strengths & weaknesses will be much appreciated. I think this actually looks rather cool. And from what I have read, despite the Wii editions "casual/party" slant, the same deep football sim 360/PS3 gets – in terms of gameplay, playbook options, most likely the online features – should be available to Wii as well. Plus, much like TW & GS Tennis w/ Motion Plus looks to actually make the Wii version of those titles the best ones to PLAY, the revamped Madden 10 controls, esp the beefed up IR pointing usage & the mapping of certain moves back to buttons from gestures leads me t think that this edition might be worthwhiel for even a "hardcore" Madden player to dig deep into. Could certainly compliment the other editions for those who are multiconsole players.
May 2, 2009 at 8:05 pm
It's funny, because the only way that you could get a true football simulation is with motion control, i.e. looking off the defender, moving in the pocket, throwing the ball exactly where you want, instead of having the game choose where to throw it based on where the defender is running.
I don't know how many interceptions I have thrown because I was trying to throw the ball into a gap in the zone and the QB threw it right at the linebacker.
If the Wii's graphics were on par with the PS3or 360 it would definitely be the console of choice, if the system and gameplay were used to max effectiveness.
I mean seriously, a football game with a controller? It would be way better with a motion controlled type thing.
May 10, 2009 at 1:38 am
What a joke.
July 3, 2009 at 2:21 pm
madden 10 for the wii is better than xbox because on xbox it take 10 people to talkle one guy on the wii it takes 1 or 2 guys
July 21, 2009 at 10:13 pm
"but i would rather be chainsawing locusts on Gears of War 2 than collect stars on Super Mario Galaxy"
Yes, because the mark of a great game is chainsawing locusts. Too many of you PS3 and 360 fanboys liken a good game to the amount of violence and blood in it. You say the wii is a kiddie system because it has many games that are aimed at a younger audience, and that is true, but at the same time the wii has accomplished something neither the PS3 or 360 has, and that is have something to appeal to everyone. The wii doesn't have the same power as the other systems, but a great game should not be based on graphics. Does Pac-Man have good graphics? Super Mario Bros.? Tetris? No, but we still regard them highly today. A great game is based on gameplay and innovation, as well as story and replayability depending on the genre, and I would rather play a game with those qualities, something nintendo is better at than any other company, than play my umpteenth zombie/bug/alien slaughtering game that just makes the blood more lifelike.
August 6, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Outside of Mario Kart. the wii has been a total Bust. and seriously… Fitz looks like a toned aids patiant. seriously… wtf.
April 30, 2009 at 7:04 pm
"Name a game that has gotten ignored because it wasn't an EA game and you'd have a point"
MLB2k9 was barely reported on at all, and when it was it was just ripped. Did anyone here know that there was a patch released for it? You wouldn't have known that by just coming here. Pasta never reported it.
And I can hear you all now, "who cares, 2k9 sucks!" And it does, but that's not the point. This game will blow too, but here's a report on it.