The newest edition in the Madden series is far and away the most authentic Madden to date.  Full of new features, great game play (as always) and the same addicting franchise mode that keeps you coming back for more, this year’s Madden is a slam dunk.  First, let’s focus on the game play and the new features that make it what it is.

                Madden NFL 10 has a couple new things to be aware of.  For instance, the all-new ‘fight for every yard’ feature.  The point of this feature is to allow the user to have a more in-depth experience with the game.  In other words, fight for every yard gives the user the ability to make a greater impact in each individual play.  This is done through opportunities to make a difference during the course of the play such as ‘steerable tackles’.  This year you can use the highlight stick to direct the momentum of the tackle.  Maybe it’ll save the game for you by preventing a big first down late in the fourth quarter.  Then there is the ‘fight for the fumble’ feature.  From my own experience this feature is a very difficult to be successful when using.  To basically walk you through how this works here is a hypothetical.  First, there is a fumble.  Second, a bar will appear on the bottom of the screen and you will be indicated what button you should begin to tap.  At one end of the bar will be your team and at the other will be your opponents.  You will then tap the indicated button and if you are fast enough the ball will move toward your side.  The team’s side it is on at the end of the ‘fight’ will maintain or take over possession of the football.  As I stated earlier, this is a very hard feature to use.  It does make the game for user interactive in a situation where they had almost no impact on in past versions of Madden.  Basically, be the first one to the ball.  If you are the ball will begin on your side of the bar making it much more likely that you will end up with the football.

                Madden NFL 10 is far and away the most realistic football game ever created.  The graphics are top of the line.  If you look quickly you will think you’re actually just watching a football game on television, not playing a video game.  The players are very well rated.  If your quarterback is Drew Brees, go ahead and throw the ball down the field because if your receiver is uncovered Brees will put the ball right where it needs to be.  However, if your quarterback is any number of the adequate or inaccurate passers in today’s game, it might be better to stick to short and medium range passes.

                The bottom line is that Madden NFL 10 is much more interactive than in past years.  I have found this to make the game much more fun and exciting.  It is easy to get caught up in the game play and lose track of time.  A definite must-buy.  I give it a 9 out of 10.