GV reports:
''For the first time in a long time, I'm happy to report a noticeable difference in the visual quality of EA Sports' long-running footballer, Madden NFL 09. The player models look absolutely outstanding this year, even on my nearly 15-year old television. True to form, the environmental aspect of the game offers a whole lot of eye candy as well. Playing in the rain, for example, will become a grimy Mud Bowl soon enough, even making it difficult to distinguish between the players from the two teams on the field because of the filthy uniforms that it produces. In fact, it made me bust out laughing when some fresh blood came in with a spotless uniform, reminding me of my freshman year of high school, I suppose. Yes, I was the kid in white.
Amazingly enough, I also didn't find the on-screen text to be extremely difficult to read as I have in past games (and other EA games that almost force you to play on an HDTV), and I can generally read it from a distance. The on-screen presentation of each game is equally visually pleasing, with an outside look at each stadium and fireworks to kick off each game. The Training Center offers X-rayed players, and while a bit gimmicky, it still offers a fresh look at this new feature (see Gameplay below).
On the field, you'll also be treated to subtle comments that follow the action, according to your teammates or the opponent... a nice touch of polish. Unfortunately, however, I missed the commentary in some of the games, as Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond were nowhere to be seen (depending on the game/mode). When they were on the sidelines they had good play-by-play, and even better color commentary, yet I somehow strangely miss the namesake of the game, John Madden, calling the action. I know, I can't believe that I said that either, but he does offer a familiar face/voice once in a while to break things up. One of the coolest subtleties of Madden 09 came from the PA announcer, in fact, as he called my name during recaps between plays. This added greatly to the realism that was lacking during the times when "player 1" or your created player's number would be called instead in previous titles. Kudos goes out to Tiburon for a presentation well done.''
Luke looks at the most influential features of Madden on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
If you're an Xbox Live subscriber, then you're no doubt familiar with the GamerScore that's associated with your GamerTag. It's a way to notify players that you're quite good at a game, as you unlock points for completing certain tasks within it. But let's be honest, some games are beasts when it comes to earning points, and you'd rather let your score do the talking over your actual skills.
I remember when the Simpsons game released, the Start Achievement was funny. Now, looking back, it seems lazy. Hah.
I clicked on this article for the sole purpose of making sure The Simpson's "press start" achievement was included. If it weren't, the article would have no merit whatsoever.
Many gamers consider a console dead as soon as its successor hits store shelves. While it's true that the release schedule takes a massive hit when this happens, there are always a handful of titles that arrive late to the party. Take a look at the final games released for some of gaming's biggest consoles.
No real gamer would consider a console dead just because it's successor was released. I still buy and play NES, SNES and Genesis carts regularly. Even though I have a PS3 and Wii hooked up to my entertainment center, I also keep a PS2 hooked up which I still game on quite regularly. This is also why real gamers want backward compatibility.
Anyone who considers a console dead just because it's successor came out is gaming for the wrong reason.
Backwards compatibility hold a console back from its true potential by having the manufacturers spend money on including hardware to emulate past consoles instead of spending it on better hardware to improve the potential of games and reduce limitations for developers. That's why people should keep their old consoles if they want to play older games.
I'm a gamer but there are something you have to let go. I played too many games but I do want progression.
For instance I cannot picture myself playing the oringal Doom anymore. There are better things out there nowadays.
If I wanted to play things for nostalgic purposes even though its illegal I would pirated the game and play on an emulator... but I find that a wast of time :)
I don't consider a console dead when its successor comes out, but I do consider a console dead when the only thing released on it is Next Gen ports(like sports games). As long as it is still getting something other then downgraded ports then it is still alive.
Of course their is a big gray area when a console is dying, but is not yet dead. So things can get kind of muddled.
By the way I do NOT keep old consoles. I currently only own a PS3, and that is all. I don't have any desire to play old games.
Ahhh another amendment to the Real Gamer Manifesto. I game on one console at a time, so as soon as I buy a new one I pay no more attention to the old one except to look back fondly. People game because they enjoy it, either alone or in competition/cooperation. You don't have to buy games for multiple platforms to be doing it "right".
You and me both, Derpy!
I actually have a notepad file on my desktop, of all the games I still need to buy for all my previous gen games (don't forget, I was still young when the SNES, PS1, etc came out, so I never had the money to get the games i wanted).
I still pull my Atari Jaguar out of my sawed off shotgun pocket and give it a play once in a while. But I have to remember never to take it out while in a bank - My first Jaguar is still in an evidence locker.
I regret selling or giving away my Master System, Mega Drive, Sega CD, that 32 bits adapter and PS1. I had so many good original games in perfect state.
Only console I still have is a PS2 and PS3.
I still have my Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, N64, PSP, PS2 (original and slim), and PS3. I will prolly never sell them. At least my brother still plays the N64, classics are classics.
mmm I got rid of all my games on my ps2. now it collecting dust. The only things I found worhthy of keeping was gt4, god of war, and gradius.
But we have gt5 and god of war remakes on the ps3 so it aint that bad.
"Dead consoles" is only a label from the media. Its only natural that companys move on to a new generation for income stream and technology advancement.
What's with all of the disagrees on the comments in here? Are there gamers seriously THAT stupid to think that a new console means the previous one is dead? I mean, I knew that there are some people on this site that make a fly look like Einstein, but come on...
With that said, I played my Atari 2600 right until I lost the plug that let me play it on my TV. I still play my NES, SNES, and PS1 games regularly. I still play my PS2 here and there, too. These consoles aren't dead as long as there's content continuously coming out for them (homebrew counts, of course) and when there's still an 'audience' for these consoles. That's not to say that they're still as profitable as the new consoles, of course, but they aren't dead.
It ain't dead when the next gen comes out.... but one thing for sure is we will be seeing less and less support as the newer console matures.....
Some ppl move on faster than others ;)
