Madden NFL 06 (PlayStation Portable, 2005)

I'm a video sports fanatic. I've played Madden over the years on a couple of different platforms. The PSP does a good job of miniaturizing a game played by big guys - you'll find yourself flinching occasionally from the hits taken on the field.

Controls are pretty good, with the action fast and frantic. Trying to throw on the run is a bit of a challenge, as the analog stick (my preference) becomes a precision passing tool once you release the ball. If you are running to the right, expect your pass to go right also.

Managing the team can be tedious, but I enjoy the tasks of tweaking abilities and trading players. It becomes a little ridiculous as you can build up the speed of an offensive lineman to run faster than your wide receivers. They should have placed some physical limitations on setting certain attributes too high by position or body type. After a few seasons of guiding the same team, pretty much all of your starters can be moving at top speed.

Complaints have been made about the load times, and they are well deserved. Trudging through training camp is almost not worth it, with most of the minigames being cryptic as to how to accomplish the goal at hand. It would help to know also what skills would be improved by performing one of the training camp tasks. Too often I've excelled at one, been given bonus points to improve the player, then found that the player was already maxed out in the available attributes to increase.

My least favorite part of the game is the signing/resigning of players. If you want to negotiate the contract down, be prepared for several minutes of pushing the left D-button. Forget holding it down... it... is... really... slow.......

Like a lot of PSP games, this one could use a more comprehensive manual - a lot is left to be explained for the Madden novice (some pros, too).

Overall, I enjoy the continuity of the franchise mode, playing the games and working the draft each year. I'm not sure why I keep playing it after 5 straight Super Bowl wins, but I keep going back for more...

Madden NFL has an exclusive liscense to the NFL players, trademarks, and other properties. This means that you won't find any other authentic game out there with up to date players, teams, or coaches. So basically it's Madden or bust. Fortunately this game is pretty good and if you like football you won't be disappointed. This game offers a rousing and realistic game of football with plenty of gaming modes. You can put together a tournament featuring your favorite teams, you can play an entire season including training camp, or you can just play an exhibition game. A nice feature for me was the football 101 sessions with Madden coaching me while I practiced different plays with my favorite teams. This game has plenty to offer and should appeal to most any football fan of any skill level. I would recommend picking up an edition one or two years old because you'll get a much better deal and very few changes are made from year to year

You like football? You like video games? Then you will love Madden NFL. But you can love it just as much on playstation or regular XBOX. Its really not that much different a game from system to system. So, I say YES to the game and NO to the xbox 360. Don’t buy the 360 just to play Madden, if you just want to play Madden, play it on playstation or regular XBOX. Regardless of what game system you play Madden on, it’s the best game available to play. If you like football, and you like video games, this is the best way to go. Nothing beats Madden. I play it on playstation all the time and love it online or against the computer.

Madden NFL Football... just the thought of Madden on the go was enough to send me and other fans into a drooling frenzy... well maybe not, I don't really drool, er... you get the idea. I got this game the day it was released, and was astounded. I have played Madden on GameBoys, but the PSP port blows away its handheld counterpart.


The graphics in Madden 06 are amazing, almost as good as a console version! I couldn't believe my eyes when I first played a game, as everything was in 3D, unlike previous ports. EA definitely made use of the PSP's capabilities in this aspect.


Sound in this game is typical of most Madden games, nothing bad, but nothing great. Overall it does add to the football experience though.


Gameplay in the PSP Madden is the best part of the game, as it is comparable to the console versions. Season mode is especially fulfilling, as you can draft, sign, and train players to build your ultimate superstar team. The various difficulties are challenging... not too easy, yet not impossible.


Although Madden NFL 06 was put together into a great port package, there is one flaw worth mentioning... there were many, many glitches in the first releases of the game. I believe the later releases fixed some of the bugs, but they are still worth mentioning. At the end of games, the game would SHUT DOWN your PSP before you could save... so you had to save before you ended the game, then let it shut down, then reload and play from there. Also, some games shut down randomly. Training camp didn't always save your stat upgrades, and sometimes in-season upgrades didn't save as well. So if you're going to buy Madden, make sure you get a newer copy... one with most of the bugs fixed. These bugs are the only reason I didn't rate Madden 5/5.


Overall, Madden NFL 06 for the PSP is a great game, revolutionary for a port football game. If you're a football fan, this simply is a must have. Great graphics and awesome gameplay will keep you busy for months. Buy!

Madden always puts out a great game. But if you're use to playing on your xbox or playstation, then you'll notice that there's a longer loading time with everything. Like when you're choosing a play, or after a play has been done, or waiting for results when you're in trade block the loading is there. Still you get used to it if you're patient. Graphics are just like PS2, there are more Training Camp drills (i liked that), it has all the Franchise Mode features you see from the other cosoles, but there is no Pro Bowl, Horse Trailer, Newspaper or Fan meter. Still if you're a Madden Freak you know you're going to buy.