Madden NFL Arcade Tackles Xbox Live/PSN this December

Now, maybe it's just us, but HE COULD...GO...ALL...THE...WAY!

Madden NFL 10’s an excellent game, but it’s a bit on the technical side, what with all those blown whistles, complex playbooks and rules.  That’s why Madden NFL Arcade has us intrigued.  EA Sports’ upcoming pigskin game, available this December on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, is all about brutalizing the opposition and scoring touchdowns without the hassle of yellow flags and injuries. 

Madden NFL Arcade is a five-on-five game where the goal is to score 30 points before the opposition.  Each team receives four downs and needs 60 yards to reach the end zone, and there are no field goals or penalties.  It’s you, four other dudes and the football. 

In addition, the game features all 32 NFL teams, various options (difficulty, points to win) and in a strange twist, 13 “Game Changers”.  These range from adding lineman to switching off the other team’s passing icons.  It seems like you can toggle these in game, which should make for some awkward finishes and actual fist fights.

On top of that, Madden NFL Arcade lets four players enjoy offline co-op, or you can hop online to challenge other gamers while rising up the leaderboards.  And if it’s achievements/trophies you seek, well, they’re in there.

“When you look around the office and see your whole team playing and having tons of fun with it, you know the game hit the right mark,” said marketing director Nathan Stewart.  “We have diehard Madden fans who have worked on the franchise for a decade, and more casual gamers who are all playing together and enjoying it.  If our productivity the past few weeks is any indication, we’ve created a game that everyone will love.”

Although we appreciate EA’s decision to expand its Madden franchise, the company’s last sports experiment, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade, wasn’t exactly a triple A experience.  Let’s hope Madden NFL Arcade is significantly better, especially since it costs 1200 Marketplace Points/$14.99.