To anyone who is planning on making that late night run to your local Wal-Mart and you notice that the parking lot is PACKED for a Monday night at 11pm no less, do not be concerned. As of Midnight on Monday (yes, technically Tuesday), it is officially…
Happy Madden Day!!!
Ahhhh yes, it’s that time of year. The official “senior skip day” for all those Madden heads (me included, ummm, let me go make that phone call real quick) to call out of work because all of a sudden you have the 24 hour stomach flu. You know you have to get your friends and grab the controllers to run with your favorite team and battle your way to the Super Bowl.
Madden 11 (the 22ndedition of John Madden football) is in stores now and features Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees (uh oh Saints’ fans, you know what that means).
Football gaming has come a long way since games like Atari’s Football (1978) to Nintendo’s Tecmo Bowl (1989, and still a classic to many gamers), where actual NFL players were first used (although only 21 players were actually used).
Today, Madden football is a cultural phenomenon. Madden has garnered over $3 billion in total revenue and more than 85 million copies sold. Both casual gamers and hard core fans spend countless hours strategizing how to beat their opponents. Actual NFL players hold tournaments all over the country, and ESPN actually hosted a show called “Madden Nation” where players traveled on a tour bus throughout the nation representing their favorite player and competing for a chance to play in the championship game in Times Square for $100,000. Local tournaments are held everywhere from GameStop to your neighborhood barber shops.
For those reading enthusiasts, such as myself, check out these great articles that go into the history of Football gaming and history of Madden. Good reads in your spare time.
So, while you are out “sick” enjoy Madden 11. Just remember, when you head back to work, make sure you still are “suffering” from some of your symptoms and make sure to take the bandages off your thumbs!!
My personal favorite was Madden 04 with Vick on the cover. Why do you ask? No matter how many times your opponent blitzed you, if you could get Vick to the corner along with the ability to control other blockers downfield, it was over! Madden Heads…which was your favorite and why?
Hate it / Love it?? Post your comments below and follow me on Twitter @ranfin12