bit-tech Shopping: Electronic Arts Madden NFL 08 (XB360)

• 1080i (HDTV)
• 480p (EDTV)
• 720p (HDTV)

Rating: 8

Time with product: 4

Strengths: Faster and smoother gameplay than previous years (60 frames per second). Easy and fun achievements. Improved kicking game. Better graphics. Improved AI.

Weaknesses: Still not a fan of the EA Sports menu system. Repetitive play-by-play.

Summary: This is what the last few versions of Madden for the Xbox 360 should have been. The game is beautiful. They have added a lot more character animations and detail. The gameplay is smooth and fun. The AI (your team and the opponents) is much better as well. And the achievements are considerably easier to get than in Madden 07. Mini-camp is so much fun. The play-by-play can be repetitive and annoying, but luckily you can turn it off. For advanced gamers, there are a lot of tweaks made just for you. There are almost too many options, but you don't really need to use any of them to enjoy the game.

Rating: 6

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: 60 frames per second

Weaknesses: Much of last year's game

Summary: Madden08 is a solid NFL video game. I've always enjoyed playing this, but this year there is not many new features. 60 frames per second definitely makes the feel of the game a lot smoother. It makes the controls much more responsive and I think EA did a good job putting that effort into this year's version.

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Its the only licensed NFL Football game. Great graphics.

Weaknesses: Gameplay not the greatest, more of the same. You'll stop playing it when Madden 2009 comes out.

Summary: Madden 2008 is the only licensed NFL Football game available; and despite being the longest running football franchise, it still hasn't reached its potential yet. The graphics look really good, and the mechanics are okay. Because of the nature of the beast, you will only enjoy this game for the next 10 months; as Madden 2009 is just around the corner. I still think the best NFL game was Sega's NFL 2K5.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 32 Days

Strengths: Graphics, smooth 60fps graphics unlike the PS3, fun gameplay

Weaknesses: No ESPN integration and Live options missing. too many interceptions

Summary: This years Madden is leaps and bounds above previous next gen efforts. Best of the three that were released for the 360. However, it still has a ways to go such as still missing online leagues or actual ESPN integration(what did they pay all that money to ESPN for.) Madden is finally up to par for this generation but still has a little ways to go to make the final cut. It is a beautiful game and your only option for NFL players as All Pro doesn't have that.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Weeks

Strengths: Great graphics, smooth gameplay

Weaknesses: Can be frustrating if you have never played Madden before

Summary: This is the best football game on the Xbox 360 right now. Compared to other versions of Madden on the 360, it runs at a smooth 60 frames per second. It contains the main features such as Franchise mode and Season mode. Overall, this is a good game for any football fan!