Recently, Electronic Arts released new footage of the upcoming Madden NFL 25 game to boost the hype around the new game. 

The 20-minute video shows two games between Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons and last year’s Madden Millionaire Henry Leverette. The video provides fans with the best and most accurate look at how the new Madden game will play out.

The video included some flexes for quality-of-life (QoL) improvements and features that can transform how the game is played and enjoyed, as well as different running styles and a look at the new one-hand catch button to increase your player’s catch radius. The upcoming Madden title would be the 45th installment in the Madden NFL series. Previously, the EA developers also held a “Ratings Week” to show fans the full ratings for every single player featured in the soon-to-be-released title.

The Madden NFL franchise

The Madden franchise is extremely popular among NFL fans, and it also has a thriving esports scene. With a new release every year since the 90s, NFL fans look to the franchise as an escape from the real-life NFL season. The games are also popular due to the lifelike players and teams the game has created, with in-game stats being impacted by real-life performances throughout the season.

For esports fans the betting aspect has also entered the Madden discussion. When betting on esports players playing the game or the real NFL fixtures, it helps patrons get more engaged with the sport. For instance, betting behemoths Thunderpick features real-time odds for the NFL providing fans the option to check on how their wagers are doing in relation to the real-time scores. This interactive experience has brought more fans to the sport and introduces patrons to the esports aspect as well. The aforementioned Thunderpick is also very popular for its crypto betting which has a more secure aspect that appeals to avid gamers due to its decentralized nature. 

Over the years, the Madden NFL games have continued to improve on the standard of their graphics and gameplay features to make the Madden experience even more immersive for players and hardcore NFL fans. So, below, we’ll take a look at four of the best Madden NFL games throughout the years:

Madden NFL 2004

Released in 2003 ahead of the 2004 NFL season, Madden NFL 2004 is widely favored by long-time fans and players for due to the introduction of the Owner Mode. The feature lets players live out their dreams as a team owner for a more comprehensive management experience. This includes the ability to set ticket prices, manage stadium upgrades, handle player contracts and salaries, and relocate the team.

In Madden 23, Franchise Mode took over as the go-to in-game mode where players can choose from three role options: Owner, Coach, or Player. Taking on the Coach role plays very similarly to Owner mode for things like contract negotiations, although players lose the ability to instigate team relocations. As an Owner, you still have full control over stadium upgrades, ticket prices, and negotiations and trades.

Madden NFL 2005

One year later, Madden NFL 2005 introduced another popular feature. The Hit Stick feature improved the look and feel of in-game tackles, changing the way players can game and plan their defensive playmaking. The feature allowed players to make tackles with precision and control, adding to the chaos.

In the upcoming Madden NFL 25, the Hit Stick feature has been re-engineered to use a timing-based mechanic. This provides more control determined by the angle you hit an opponent’d player with, stick skill, and accuracy. Along with other upgrades, the Hit Stick feature has also become more rooted in realistic physics.

Madden NFL 2001

The 2001 installment of the franchise remains one of the top Madden games among players and fans today. Released as the 12th game in the series, it was also the first time the game’s cover art featured an NFL player instead of John Madden. Instead, the cover featured Eddie George, former Tennessee Titans running back.

The 2001 entry was the franchise’s debut on the PlayStation 2 console and introduced NFL Europe teams into the game for the first time. In addition to the gameplay and graphical improvements, the game also allowed players to collect Madden cards to be used for upgrading player ratings and unlocking new stadiums.

Madden NFL 2003

Similarly, the 2003 installment was considered a significant upgrade from the previous release. This entry debuted EA Trax, the branding used by Electronic Arts for soundtracks in their EA and EA Sports games. These soundtracks have garnered praise over the years for matching the culture and vibe of the game, as well as featuring exclusive tracks written and recorded specifically for the game. 

The game debuted the Mini Camp mode, which allowed players to engage in eight unique drills to improve their football skills and earn exclusive Madden cards. These drills were specific for different positions such as running back, quarterback, receiver, defensive line, and linebacker.

While many of the titles mentioned are relatively older, they are memorable entries in the franchise for their game-changing features and updates. If you’re an NFL fan looking to expand your gaming library, you’ll probably also like the EA Sports College Football franchise, which we highlight regularly on our On the Ball posts for player ratings, guides, and other news. Similarly, you can check out the Student Union Sports homepage for more sports news, guides, tips, and insights.