Parents Guide to Madden 09 on Nintendo Wii

Madden the longest running American Football franchise. In 2007 it was one of the first games to make use of gesture control in a traditional video game. Both the controls and the game were well received, and with the additions of Family Play in 2008 and All Play in 2009, it is a choice sports game for Wii gamers.

Sports games recreate a wide variety of real life competitive games. Depending on the sport, these will either have an action or strategy focus. Popular sports games are often released on an annual basis, each year the game receives new player rosters and game improvements.

Madden on Wii adds gesture controlled throws, catches, strong arms. jinks and tackles to add a degree of physicality to the on screen action. American Football being very much a contact sport, these exuberant controls make a lot of sense. The pointing action of the Wii-mote can also be used to adjust and draw the motion of receivers before a particular play.

Madden 09 extends the Family Play features of the previous year to be their rounded All Play option. Here, novice or younger players can use just the Wii-mote to join in the action. As in Wii-Sports Tennis, the computer looks after movement and tactics whilst you can just worry about throwing and tackling with a flick of the wrist.

While these additions are welcome, Madden also adds other innovations from the 360 and PS3 versions of the game. Pressing C to identify star players, and controlling audibles (late adjustments to the select play) both add to the authentic feel achieved here.

The sheer physicality of the Wii controls (particularly when played with a group of friends) gives Madden a unique appeal amongst American Football games. Players are attracted to controlling deft lobs (or sharply snapped rockets) to receivers, who in turn have to extend the controllers at just the right to make the catch.

This may seem like a minor point, but as with Tiger Woods it means you walk away feeling (to some extend) you have actually been involved in a sport. Being connected to the action with five or six simple motions at times makes for some magical moments.

Whilst the All Play (and five a side) mode can be picked up almost instantly, most players will want to invest time learning the play sheet and various special motions and button presses. Full games are the best way to do this and can last a good hour. Accordingly it is worth setting aside a whole evening to get the most out of Madden 09.

The motion controls mean that this really is a game to be played standing up, and one that demands a fair amount to free space in which to play. This shouldn’t be a problem in most houses family/lounge rooms, although take note of lampshades and other overhead objects.

Very young and novice players of almost any age can pick up a Wii-mote and join in the fun. Our three year old was a bit concerned when one of his players limped off with an injury, but these are kept to strained wrists and ankles - and are only reflecting the nature of this contact sport.

Intermediate gamers who have a little more ability will quickly be able to play more of a part with the game. Prior knowledge of America Football certainly adds to the enjoyment, but John Madden (in all his Mii modeled glory) is always on hand to provide some advice.

Those with more experience may balk at the low resolution graphics (in comparison to the 360 and PS3). They will also have more work to do learning a different set of controls. That said, there is plenty here to enjoy and in a way that should now be accessible to their friends and family.

Source: game people

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