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Next-gen Madden NFL 21 available now for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
Madden NFL 21 has gone live nearly a full day early with the next-gen version on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Those who own the PS4/Xbox One Madden NFL 21 receive the upgrade for free. It’s also worth noting that even for those who don’t the 10 hour trial through Xbox Game Pass or EA Play on PS5 offers the opportunity to try it out.
Next-gen Madden 21 features a number of technical enhancements, both visually and with data influencing gameplay, but the feature set for the game remains largely unchanged. That was always the most reasonable expectation for both Madden and FIFA once EA announced the games would be given away as upgrades rather than sold standalone for full price.
Madden NFL 21 has been available for as low as $27 at different points in the last two months, most recently over the Black Friday sales period. At the moment though there are no enticing deals available but those will likely return in the weeks ahead.
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Next-gen FIFA 21 available now for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
FIFA 21 has gone live a full day early with the next-gen version on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Unfortunately the process to download it for those who already own the PS4/Xbox One versions (and get the upgrade for free) isn’t quite as simple as one would hope. After spending considerable time trying to figure out the process it worked by deleting the PS4 FIFA off my PS5 and reinstalling the game which is when the option to select the PS5 FIFA was provided.
It’s also worth noting that even for those who don’t own FIFA 21 already the 10 hour trial through Xbox Game Pass or EA Play on PS5 offers the opportunity to try it out.
The next-gen FIFA 21 features a number of technical enhancements, both visually and altering gameplay, but the feature set for the game remains largely unchanged. That was always the most reasonable expectation for both FIFA and Madden once EA announced the games would be given away as upgrades rather than sold as standalone new editions for full price.
FIFA 21 is currently available for $25 from Amazon (Xbox – PlayStation) though these are the physical copies requiring a disc drive on the new systems to be played. The digital sale is not as strong any longer at $36 on Xbox while PlayStation is back at original price.
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Black Friday 2020 Sports Gaming Deals
Considering the proximity to their respective releases the point at which the majority of sports video games have reached their highest value may be when they are significantly discounted for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Most are still in-season, relevant and strongly supported.
This is a unique Black Friday however considering the console transition and upgrade offers for a few of the big sports games – two of which haven’t even released yet.
Remember on Madden and FIFA that the PS5 will only get the upgrade coming from PS4 and the Series X for those that own it on Xbox One. Also physical copies will require the discs be in the new systems to play (so a digital PS5 won’t benefit from a physical PS4 copy). Read more
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FIFA 21 Next-Gen Details
With only a week and a half until it releases EA Sports has finally revealed what to expect out of FIFA 21 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The game missed the launch of the new consoles when release was pushed back to December 4. Those who own FIFA 21 on PS4 or Xbox One will get free upgrades to next-gen, and those who don’t yet should look for a deal on those this week.
As expected the enhancements are primarily based on new hardware capabilities than newly built features or modes. The PS5 will get some unique benefits as well. Read more
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Press Row Podcast: The launch of a new generation
It’s an old-school throwback Press Row Podcast! It’s 2013 all over again as Owen Good, Bryan Wiedey, and Rich Grisham get together to compare their next-gen console launch experiences – only this time it’s Xbox Series X and Playstation 5!
Check out the podcast through Apple Podcasts for iOS, on Android with the Stitcher app, or with Pocket Casts on iOS, Android, and Windows. The show can now also be found on Spotify! Subscribe and give the podcast five star reviews to help support the show. You can also listen with the streaming player found below.
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Rookies have been added to NBA 2K21
2K Sports has faced unprecedented circumstances around the releases of NBA 2K21 on both current and next-gen. The former launched while the previous season was still ongoing and the latter before any offseason transactions would even take place. Now the game is starting to feel a little more like it traditionally would with the completion of the NBA Draft.
All the rookies have now been added to their respective teams via roster update. Free agency and more trades are still to come (Chris Paul to Suns/Jrue Holiday for Bucks have already been executed) and once those have played out a sense of normalcy should return to the NBA 2K series as the league itself settles in to a new season.
1 – (MIN) Anthony Edwards 77
2 – (GSW) James Wiseman 77
3 – (CHA) LaMelo Ball 77
4 – (CHI) Patrick Williams 75
5 – (CLE) Isaac Okoro 75
6 – (ATL) Onyeka Okongwu 76
7 – (DET) Killian Hayes 74
8 – (NYK) Obi Toppin 76
9 – (WAS) Deni Avdija 75
10 – (PHX) Jalen Smith 73
11 – (SAS) Devin Vassel 74
12 – (SAC) Tyrese Haliburton 74
13 – (NOP) Kira Lewis Jr. 73
14 – (BOS) Aaron Nesmith 72
15 – (ORL) Cole Anthony 72 -
Madden NFL 21 Next-Gen Details and Trailer
With only a few weeks until release EA Sports today began the marketing push for Madden NFL 21 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The game earlier was moved to a December 4 release missing the launch of the new systems. A new trailer today shows off what to expect visually while going further into some of the improvements to expect beyond that. Read more
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First next-gen patch for NBA 2K21
NBA 2K21 was the only sports game to launch with the PS5 and Xbox Series X and there is already a patch out to make fixes and improvements to the game. The changes are reflected across all the primary modes and are joined by likeness updates for 20 individuals. Read more
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