Status:
Complete and Play Tested
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Sure! Here's a full review of Madden NFL 09 on the PlayStation 3:
Madden NFL 09 (PS3) Review
Released to mark the 20th anniversary of the Madden franchise, Madden NFL 09 was a major milestoneand it played like one. It brought a wave of polish, new features, and refinements that made it feel like a celebration of the series legacy. On the PS3, it was a solid step forward from the previous year's effort, although not without a few hiccups.
🏈 Gameplay & Controls
Madden 09 improved on many gameplay fronts:
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Responsive controls, smoother animations, and a stronger emphasis on physics gave every play a more natural feel.
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The new "Adaptive AI" (Rewind and IQ System) was a standout feature. The game analyzed your playstyle and adjusted difficulty accordingly, which was great for both newcomers and veterans.
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Rewind allowed you to redo playsideal for casual or less-experienced players who wanted a do-over.
The controls were tight, but the passing game still had some inconsistencies, especially with the deep ball and receiver AI.
🧠 Madden IQ & Rewind
Two of the biggest additions:
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Madden IQ Test at the beginning of the game assessed your skill level and adjusted gameplay accordingly. It felt fresh and personal, even if the AI wasn't always spot-on.
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Rewind let you undo plays mid-game, almost like a mulligan. Hardcore sim fans hated it, but for those playing for fun, it was a cool way to learn and experiment.
📺 Presentation & Graphics
Visually, Madden 09 was a noticeable leap on the PS3:
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Player models looked sharper, animations were smoother, and lighting effects gave stadiums a livelier feel.
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New camera angles and broadcast-style presentation added to the immersion.
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Halftime shows and replay highlights were improved, but still not quite on par with real NFL broadcasts.
That said, some clipping issues and stiff animations remained, and crowd models were still very basic.
📈 Franchise & Game Modes
The Franchise Mode remained deep, though not much had changed from previous years:
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Managing contracts, scouting, and trades offered plenty to sink time into.
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Superstar Mode, where you controlled one players career, was fun but needed more polish and interaction.
The absence of a true online franchise (still a year away at this point) was a sore spot for some fans.
🌐 Online Play
Online matches were mostly stable, though occasional lag could impact gameplay. EAs servers were solid at the time, and leaderboards added a competitive edge. Online leagues werent fully realized yet, but it was heading in the right direction.
🎵 Sound & Commentary
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Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond did commentaryserviceable, but lacking the energy and variety to stay engaging for long.
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The soundtrack was a decent mix of rock and hip-hop, though not as iconic as some earlier Madden games.
🟢 Final Verdict: 8/10
Madden NFL 09 was a strong entry in the franchise, particularly on the PS3. It improved on gameplay, presentation, and accessibility, making it a great football sim for both longtime fans and newcomers. It didnt reinvent the wheel, but it polished it up nicely for the series' 20th birthday.
Pros:
Madden IQ system tailors difficulty to your skill
Clean visuals and improved animations
Rewind feature adds accessibility
Deep Franchise Mode with tons of content
Tight, satisfying core gameplay
Cons:
Some AI and physics quirks remain
No online franchise yet
Commentary is dry and repetitive
Superstar Mode still feels underdeveloped
Recommendation:
If you're a football fan and still gaming on PS3, Madden 09 stands out as one of the better entries of that console generation. It's fun, balanced, and offers a ton of contentwhether you're playing solo or against friends.
