Madden NFL 10 puts two players on the cover for the first time in the series: Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. That alone signals a shift. The game, developed by EA Orlando and published by EA Sports, arrived on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in August 2009. It was the 20th installment of the Madden NFL line, and it brought a new online mode, a fresh broadcast style, and a new way of rating players.
Trailer, via EA SPORTS MADDEN NFL.
The Cover
Polamalu and Fitzgerald were picked because they played against each other in Super Bowl XLIII the season before. The cover design was a first for the series, and it carried over into the marketing push behind the game.
What’s New
The biggest addition was Online Franchise mode. It let two players build a full 32-team league, hold NFL-style drafts, and follow their progress on a custom league webpage. That was the headline move for online play.
The broadcast presentation got a major upgrade too. It promised the most immersive broadcast style yet, recreating what viewers see on Sundays without the field itself. That’s a bold claim for a sports video game.
PRO-TAK and the Fumble Fight
The new animation technology, PRO-TAK, allowed up to nine players to be involved in tackles at once. Tackles could now be steered, and a new blocking system created a more realistic pocket around the quarterback. The QB could also avoid pressure with new avoidance actions.
When a fumble occurred near two players, a fight pile-up triggered. Players had to repeatedly press a series of buttons that appeared on screen to gain possession. It was a simple idea, but it added a layer of chaos to the game.
Ratings and Quarterbacks
Ratings were rescaled for a more noticeable difference between players. New ratings covered throw accuracy at different depths, throws made on the run, and more. This made player styles feel more distinct.
Game speed was slowed for a more realistic, life-like experience. Player momentum was improved, with more realistic acceleration, deceleration, planting and turning. Quarterback animations were layered, with new dropback moves and ratings.
WR/DB interaction was improved too, with better route running and coverage. Play Designer on PSP let players create custom plays and formations, then upload them directly to PlayStation 3.
The Verdict
Madden NFL 10 was a solid step forward for the series. The online franchise mode was a genuine addition, and the broadcast presentation was a strong selling point. The game delivered on its promises, even if the improvements were incremental rather than radical.
| Feature | Platforms |
|---|---|
| Online Franchise mode | PS3, Xbox 360 |
| PRO-TAK | PS3, Xbox 360 |
| Fight for the Fumble | PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PSP |
| Play Designer | PSP |
The game was weighed against its own history, and it measured up. It delivered on its promises, even if the improvements were incremental rather than radical.
- Online Franchise mode was the standout feature.
- The broadcast presentation was a strong selling point.
- PRO-TAK offered real animation improvements.
- Play Designer on PSP was a useful addition for custom content.
The game was received with a 6.8 out of 10, and that score feels about right. It was a solid entry in a long-running series, not a great one. It did what it set out to do, and it did it well enough to keep the series moving forward.
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