Since EA Sports bought the rights to the NFL players back in 2006, Madden has been the only professional football simulation game. Leaving the game to dominate the market and ruining the ever-so-loved "2K" series. Despite the lack of competition from a professional football game, Madden has always had to look over its shoulder whenever her sister game, NCAA, is a hit.

In the past Madden has always been viewed as the superior title, better graphics, sound, and realism. However, I have purchased and played both of these titles and they have never been closer. Where one of these games excels, the other falters. Without further introduction, I bring you Madden vs. NCAA. A complete breakdown to determine which is the best football simulation title.




Round 1: Presentation

The presentation of Madden is incredible. The player models are finally accurate to their real-life counterparts, and the stadiums look absolutely beautiful. The in-game replay system flows really nicely and the game often times does feel like I am watching it on television. Gus Johnson is a double edged sword when it comes to him being in the game. I love hearing him shout during a huge play, but the audio clips are unpolished and constantly remind you how bad they are.

All of these things can be said for NCAA as well. Except for the player models, there are maybe forty different models for over 500 players. In other words, everybody looks like each other. Which isn't a huge deal because for one, the NCAA prohibits including real student athletes in the game. The stadiums I would say look better in NCAA, they feel real and the ability to "pump up the crowd" is something that Madden seriously lacks. It should also be noted that as games progress, the time of day changes accordingly. You start a game at dusk, it will end at night.

Decision: NCAA. Having to cover more bases than Madden in this department, I commend the job NCAA did with stadium and player presentation. While Madden has more in-game nuances, none of them help add to the excitement of the game.

Round 2: Variety of game modes

NCAA boasts many improvements in game modes this year. A renovated Dynasty mode makes playing season after season with your favorite school more enjoyable. As well as the Online Dynasty mode, which has become a real treat to play. Outside of these major game features, NCAA includes: Road to Glory, where you take control of one student athlete and play his entire career. Mascot Mashup, a highly entertaining game where instead of playing as football players, you play as mascots. One-Button Game Mode, an overhyped toddler mode that is not very entertaining at all.


Madden on the other hand, saw very little added and or changed to the game modes. Offline and Online Franchise modes received no attention and are the same for the second consecutive year. The other game modes include an also neglected Superstar mode. Madden Moments: replay dramatic games and or situations from last season and change the course of history is entertaining to play when I am waiting for my friend to finish a game. Madden Ultimate team has received some improvements, but nothing so great as to justify completely ignoring the rest of the game.

Online Team Play was a surprisingly entertaining game mode, that I'm sure is loved more by others, and has potential to become a huge part of the game in the future.

Decision: NCAA, but closer than I anticipated.

Round 3: Gameplay

In my eyes, this is the most key and crucial aspect of buying any sports game. How does it play? Do you feel like you have control over your players and what is transpiring on the field?

NCAA's gameplay is the best it has ever been. The animations are awesome, and I don't find myself frustrated with dumb A.I. play very often. Quarterbacks now miss throws that normally were guaranteed passes, linebackers intercept less passes, even the break-tackle animations are more unpredictable. Locomotion may be the greatest thing football games have ever seen. The running game is impossible to deal with. There is so much control given to the user over his player, that I don't see how it could be improved in future titles.

Madden's gameplay is also the best it has ever been. The unstoppable running back screens have been attended to. The game runs at a faster speed, unlike last year's title in which players seemed to be moving half as fast. Things like toe-taps and one handed grabs have made this game exciting and opened a new world of passing the football. GameFlow also adds to Madden's value here, as casual football players will be able to jump in and genuinely have fun with the A.I. picking all the plays. This game feels like a real football game.

Decision: Madden

Final Verdict.

What I love most about NCAA is how much fun I have playing the game. The gameplay is loose, yet not uncontrollable. The game modes offer up hours of entertainment that I usually didn't get in past NCAA titles. The graphics and sound are top of the line and EA truly outdid themselves with this title. What I want Madden to have, NCAA has, and what NCAA doesn't have, it doesn't need.

This gameplay is so great that at times I completely forgive EA Tiburon for shorting me my $60. Also, as a longtime Madden fan, I can still find enjoyment in these recycled game modes. However, when I overlook the fact that Brett Favre is in Madden, the choice is clear as to which game is superior.

NCAA '11 took strides forward while Madden '11 took steps back. The deciding factor was this: next year NCAA '12 will be looking to live up to a legacy, while Madden '12 will be working to earn my respect.