Review: Madden NFL 11 (Wii)
August 10th, 2010 | Written by Danreb Victorio | Topic: Reviews, Wii
Madden and the Wii; it’s a match made in heaven. The Wii is the best-selling console in the United States, and Madden has always been the best selling sports game for quite a few years now. Year after year, EA Sports has done what they can to make the Wii version of the game stand out, and this year’s entry stands out once again, with emphasis being put upon what’s arguably the most important mode in the entire series.
Madden NFL 11 on the Wii marks the return of the game’s wildly popular Franchise mode. Not that it was previously gone, but in order to play through Franchise mode in Madden NFL 10, it had to be unlocked. Those patient enough to find out how they could begin Franchise Mode played a very dry version of it, so it’s easy to see why the Franchise Mode has become a point of emphasis on the console (which is strange, considering the Franchise Mode was hardly even touched with the HD versions of the game).
Redone from the ground up, Madden 11’s Franchise Mode takes a more interactive turn. After choosing your team, you’re met with a very small city with nothing but the biggest expectations for your chosen NFL franchise. You’ll immediately be compared to the greatest of all time, and the only way to meet expectations is to win and be profitable. As you get more and more successful, the city grows more prosperous. While this may seem a little too SimCity, it’s a great addition that adds more of a video game feel, and that’s the exact audience EA is trying to hit anyway.
Right off the bat, you’re given three assistants who will make an impact on your legacy. One is a hard-nosed blue chip kind of dude who cares about nothing else than the performance of your football team. Another is a crazed fan that cares about nothing but the fan support your team is getting and the last is a white-collar businessman who only cares about the money. Each of these folks will have random agendas for you to follow with every passing week, and satisfactorily completing them will earn you big points for your city. These folks are all accessible through various buildings you in your city. In typical Wii fashion, all you have to do is point and click, and it’s smooth sailing from there–except for the really long menus where you have to waggle the controller or aim down.
Getting back to the action on the field, not much has really changed mechanically. If you haven’t had the luxury of playing Madden on the Wii, this is the passing game in a nutshell. Passing is done through two methods, point and click, or the more arcade-like stick tilting. The point and click is the more simple of the two, but it is also the most annoying to perform, especially if you’re too close to your TV. All you have to do when passing is point the cursor at your intended receiver and swing your arm in a throwing motion while holding the A button. In Arcade mode, instead of pointing, all you have to do is tilt your stick in their proper direction like so, and then a swing of the arm. The swing adds “realism” to the game, but it’s also a bit tricky because you’re still using the control stick and nunchuck to maneuver your players.
Those who have been following our HD coverage of Madden should know by now that the biggest new feature is with its GameFlow playcalling system. While it also makes its debut on the Wii, it’s nowhere near as detailed or interesting. Unlike the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Madden, the coach won’t talk or give you any pointers about the chosen plays, and the audible adjustments are a lot more complicated with the Remote and Nunchuck combo. When pressing B to ignore GameFlow, you’re limited to only a handful of plays, making the whole experience feel shaved.
While the GameFlow system in this version of the game turned out to be nothing more than a glorified “Ask Madden,” the developers did a good job raising the game’s production values. Thanks to the efforts in field degradation, the weather in the game actually matters. Rainy and snowy games feature mudholes as well as players slipping and sliding all over the place, and the messed up fields will cause players to have less control of their lateral movements. On top of this, EA swears hundreds of new animations have been added, giving the game a more authentic feel, even with its arcade-like visual style.
The game’s online component is a mixed bag. Not too many people were on the servers when we last took the game online, so we didn’t run into any slowdown or lag. Of course, if you want to play the game with a friend, you’ll have to go through Nintendo’s friend code nonsense, which takes more time than it should. But for those who simply want to go online and find a pickup game, players should have no trouble automatically finding an opponent using the game’s search feature. But if last year’s was any indication, it might take a while due to the possibility of low traffic with the Wii’s Madden servers.
It’s a love or hate opinion, but the character models in Madden NFL 11 are a good change from the overly buff players that people are accustomed to seeing in video games. Those who can get over that fact will find a pretty good-looking Wii game. It’s nowhere near the visual representation of its HD brethren, but the developers did do a fine job at recognizing what strengths they had with the hardware.
As far as the sound goes, it’s actually quite good. With a soundtrack featuring a bunch of NFL classics and some of Ozzy Osbourne’s best, this is the best Madden soundtrack to ever come out. College hoops veteran Gus Johnson, who usually is always over-the-top with his exciting play-by-play, does the commentary in this game. Unfortunately, his role seems quite reserved because it’s nowhere near as exciting as anyone would hope. Throw in the fact that Cris Collinsworth is still in the game, and it’s another reason to cover your ears.
While it’s by no means the defining game, Madden NFL 11 on the Wii is simply solid—nothing more and nothing less. The game is a joy to play, and the new Franchise Mode is something that should keep armchair quarterbacks busy for a little while. And because it’ll only keep players busy for a little while, it’s easy to see that the game still suffers from being overly casual. It’s a point that was made against last year’s game—there’s no reason why EA shouldn’t be supporting the Classic Controller or even the GameCube controller for use with the game. Not only would it increase the game’s overall value, but it would also give football fans who only own a Wii more of a reason to stick with the series.
Score: 6.8 | Recommendation: Rent It
Verdict: It’s the best football game on the Wii. Unfortunately, that isn’t saying much.
Comment by rich on the August 10th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
can u play the game with wii classic controller or just the wiimote
Comment by Danreb V. on the August 11th, 2010 at 3:26 am
Rich,
Read the second-to-last sentence of my review, man.
No, you cannot use any of the other control methods. It's such an easy feature to add. I don't see why EA Sports hasn't figured that out. Or maybe they have and they just don't want regular people playing the Wii verison.
Comment by Miles R. on the August 11th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
How is that this years game got a lower score than last years game?
Comment by Danreb V. on the August 11th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
On this site, and a whole lot of others, followups usually always score lower than their predecessors unless drastic changes are made that truly make the game better.
11 is better than 10, but since not much has changed, it's relatively the same game. It has the exact same problems as last year and they weren't addressed. The Franchise Mode is fun, but it doesn't drastically make the game any different.
The biggest critical categories on our publication are Gameplay, Value, and our own tilt. The gameplay actually stayed the same, so that didn't affect the old score. The value was decreased because it's essentially the same game as last year with a new mode. Because of this, overall I didn't see enough new stuff to warrant upping the game's total score, and to me it's definitely not worth $50.
Comment by Danreb V. on the August 11th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Technically, the graphics are better than the PS2 version.
But I can understand where you're coming from. Since EA Sports decided to go with a more casual, arcade look–it's become more of a Toy Storyish kind of look. Instead of making it look kid-friendly, they should've just made it more fun-looking. They could've made it resemble something like NFL Street.
In some cases, I do agree with you though. Last generation, the GameCube version of Madden was actually my choice, and that blew the PS2 out of the water. I preferred it because of its controller and its overall look. Now when I play Madden on the Wii with my HDTV, it looks like a bright mess sometimes.
Comment by Tim on the August 11th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Wii has ruined Madden for me! And pretty much video games as a whole!!! All Play is the lamest thing EVER!!! The graphics SUCK, and the fact you can't use another controller like the Wavebird or the Classic is just plain ridiculous!!!
Thanks Nintendo!! Not for just ruining my favorite franchise of all time, but for ruining video games for me as well!! I hate the stupid Wii. It has almost the same pathetic graphics as the Game Cube, but even lamer games!!!! Anybody have a used PS3 for sale?
Comment by Danreb V. on the August 11th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Heh. Looks like I struck a cord.
If it means anything, Tiburon and EA Sports made the game. Nintendo has nothing to do with it. And I don't see how Nintendo has ruined gaming for anybody. This year top-quality titles like Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Sin & Punishment have been pushed out. We also got Metroid game in a couple weeks developed by Team Ninja.
The GameCube's graphics weren't pathetic.
eBay.com is where I got my PS3.
Comment by PJM on the August 11th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Does anybody know if the rosters update automatically when connected to the internet??? Terrell Owens is still listed as a free agent.
Also, is there not a fantasy draft option for the franchise mode??? I always liked drafting my team.
Thanks,
PJ
Comment by Heath on the August 11th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
All Wii football games suck!!! They need to make better ones and they need to make NCAA games for the wii
Comment by Adrian Knight on the August 12th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Dont blame the nintendos wii if the football games are sub-par. Dont you know that EA made Madden? Nintendo just made the consule
Comment by jim on the August 14th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I like the wii madden. Why so upset guys. If you dont like the wii go get a ps3. Otherwise stay off the wii site
Comment by PJR on the August 20th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Does it still take 3 levels of menus to change defensive assignments. What I mean will I be able to move my defensive line and crash it one way while spreading my linebackers, and telling my DBs to play bump and run? Last years version you would be lucky to just change one of these things before the offense snaped the ball which puts the defense at a huge disadvantage. The Wii version last year in my opinion was made for the football ignorate. Not that, that is bad it just means that it was made for kids and adults that no nothing about what it takes to really play football so just dropping back and throwing deep is all they need to do to enjoy the game. EA needs to change their thinking maybe make two different games for the Wii one that is called Madden that is more like the ones that people play on the 360 or PS3 and one that is for the football casuals called Madden Jr. It is sad that those of us who only own a Wii do not have to opertunity to play a more realistic game as it should be on this system. Instead we are stuck with a kiddie game.
Comment by BPB on the August 21st, 2010 at 4:17 pm
PJR… I couldn't agree with you more. And no, it hasn't been changed… the audible system is still terrible.
The N64 version was more saavy in that regard, even. You could shift things very quickly even back then on a vastly inferior system. Terrible design by EA… they were looking to target the "typical wii owner" with this game, no doubt.
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Comment by Jack on the August 25th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Thank you PJR. I only own a Wii and I didnt get 10, so I'm stuck with 09, and even with All-Play off, All-Pro is super easy. Whenever I switch to All-Madden, it can be extremly hard at times. Also what in the world happened to Fantasy Draft? I loved seeing the Lions or Bucs or Rams be awesome, and see the Colts or Pats or Chargers be awful. Maybe they could rename Backyard Football Madden Jr. or make the real madden with a Sr. so little kids wont buy it.
Comment by Tom on the August 28th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
I wouldn't even think about purchasing it without classic controls. The Wii is a waste of money if your age exceeds 4. Sell your Wii and buy something else. The only good game they have ever had on the Wii is PowerPros (baseball) but that got discontinued…. I hate the Wii
Comment by Drew on the September 6th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I bet it's more of EA has an agreement with Sony and Microsoft to not make it a "classic controller" compatible. If so it would be even more of a threat to those two systems.
Comment by EAWIITARDS on the October 4th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
No classic controller / pro? Why not? No f&&king good reason, that’s for sure. Guess I won’t cry about not giving EA or Nintendo any money for these worthless games.
I wouldn’t ever consider buying these for my children either… they’d be just as happy playing SNES, and the controls are better!
Comment by Anthony on the October 29th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
The game sucks for wii it is horriable i hate i hate i hate even though i got it today
Comment by Guest on the December 28th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
I actually enjoy Madden 11 for the Wii. It absolutely is not perfect and has tons of problems but for people like me who only own a Wii because we have other responsibilities in life it's a good option. I agree with what the previous person said, if you don't like it buy another console.
I don't mind the graphics but I do wish they'd make more of an effort to make them look like the real life players, like NFL Street. And it is completely ridiculous that there is no NCAA option for the Wii. Give me a friggin PS port at the very least.
Last thought, why hasn't 2k sports stepped in here on the NCAA front. Does EA own college football as well? I really love NBA 2k11 for the wii and they went for realism. It works, the franchise mode is good. Great stuff.
Please someone make a college football or basketball game for the wii. And improve Madden next year, they're on a good track.
Comment by anniecya on the December 31st, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Where is superstar mode.
Comment by Daryle on the January 13th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
It continually locks up or freezes on the wii. EA has been absolutely zero help. Any body have any info to help with this?
Comment by Par on the February 15th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
There is no fantasy dfraft on the Wii version of Madden 11. It is super dumb and stupid! Fantasy draft was the coolest feature EVER!!!!! and EA got rid of it
Comment by blake on the September 25th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
hello i wanted to know how to do a big hit every play becasuse its boring with no big hit i did it once and it wont let me hit them hard i like hard hits and i want to do it overand over again
Comment by Jack on the December 27th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Is there a super star mode?