Madden NFL 26 Reviews
All that said, the biggest compliment I can give EA Sports Madden NFL 26is that I look forward to playing it again. That wasn't always the case. But for all its shortcomings, I still like seeing my created player running around on the screen as part of a beautiful and immersive on-field presentation. I enjoy the football being played. I like having the sense of control over the fate of my team, and I like all of the options Franchise Mode presents for me to exercise that control. I enjoy Madden again, and that's a start.
There’s always room for improvement, but it’s hard to overstate what a leap Madden NFL 26 feels like both on and off the field.
Indeed, there's so much to enjoy in the base game that splashing cash just feels unnecessary, and a little grotesque. You won't play Superstar mode for as long as franchise, but fleshing out the folks in your 'Sphere of Influence' – from your agent, to tattoo artists – adds a neat off-field wrinkle, where every decision has a degree of consequence.
Despite a disappointing launch, Madden NFL 26 isn’t unsalvageable. I would imagine many of these problems will be fixed through post-launch patches, but that doesn’t change the fact that despite how strong its fundamentals appeared to be prior to stepping onto the field, much like a nervous rookie, this entry just wasn’t quite ready for primetime.
Madden NFL 26 finally pairs the series' great on-field gameplay with a destination mode thanks to an impressive Franchise makeover.
Madden NFL 26 drops with major Franchise Mode overhaul, but is it a game-changer?
Server issues at launch aside, and with the loss of cross-play noted, Madden 26 is a very solid port of one of the best outings for this franchise in recent memory. Yes, you'll need to get used to a drop in the frame rate to 40fps on Switch 2, but it's a reasonable downgrade in order to get this type of game running as well as it does on a portable machine. It really is a very close match in all other ways to other consoles.For newcomers, this is one of the best Madden games I've played in terms of teaching you the ropes, and for the returning hardcore, the improvements on the pitch, and with regards to presentation, should impress where its predecessor felt a bit lacking.
Once again, Madden NFL 26 overpromises and underdelivers. The new updates to Franchise mode and the general gameplay are nice, but let's be honest: the core issues are still there.
If you've had a couple of years off, or even if you haven't, this is an ideal time to return to Madden. This is a great entry in the series, and being able to take it on the go with Switch 2 and having the game in its fullest form is what NFL fans have been waiting years for.
Madden NFL 26 isn’t the game I’ve been dreaming of, but it’s a meaningful improvement over recent games and actually addresses some of the issues I’ve had with the series for years. I’ll actually come back to this one throughout the NFL season to screw around with rebuilds in Franchise mode, and the Switch 2 version will remain installed for the novelty of playing on the go.
Madden 26 is the biggest upgrade in years. The revamped franchise mode is great, the on-field mechanics are a welcome change, and it just feels good to play. I ran into several glitches early on, that seem to have been ironed out over the weeks after release.
Unfortunately, persistent bugs, inconsistent commentary, glitchy menus, and occasional game logic flaws keep it from reaching true greatness.
Madden NFL 26 is a good game to add to the library for the avid football fan or for someone like myself who has been away from the series for a few years.
It's been so long since a Madden game has been playable on a Nintendo device that pretty much anything would've satisfied NFL fans. Thankfully, Madden NFL 26 happens to be a good game that offers a massive playbook of depth and content. Just be prepared to spend time on the practice squad while you get up to speed.
Madden NFL 26 from developer EA Tiburon is on the right track thanks to some nearly perfect controls that make for a more immersive experience. On the mode side, there is still some work that needs to be done to improve some aspects of Superstar, as well as balancing out MUT a bit more.
EA Sports Madden NFL 26 is the most complete, authentic and rewarding entry the series has seen in years.
EA hasn't reinvented the wheel, but their latest NFL outing still managed to impress me. Every mode, except Ultimate Team, has been enhanced with more engaging systems and streamlined features. The presentation feels livelier and more dynamic, with a welcome dose of college football DNA. Unfortunately, sluggish load times and a few poor interface choices continue to plague the yearly series.
EA Sports Madden NFL 26 marks one of the franchise's biggest leaps in years, especially in Franchise Mode, which finally gets meaningful depth and realism. On-field gameplay feels smoother and more fluid, with better animations, more responsive passing, and smarter AI. Overall this instalment breathes new life into the series, especially for Franchise fans, delivering smarter design choices, improved gameplay flow, and a more immersive presentation that make it the most exciting entry in over a decade.
Madden 26 may literally be the best Madden game ever, and a must purchase for fans of the pro game. I haven't loved a Madden game this much since Sega Genesis. EA Sports rightly plucked from the best aspects of College Football 25 and 26, and created a world class professional gridiron offering. Don't skip this one.
Madden NFL 26 has a clear shot at the playoffs and a chance to be a Super Bowl contender.