Madden NFL 26 Reviews
After years of ups and downs, Madden NFL 26 seems to be on the right track. The improvements are noticeable, both in the visuals, gameplay, and presentation. It's finally a next-gen release, and the best part is that it has a homegrown competition that, in theory, should drive development to improve and meet fan demands. It will undoubtedly be a good season for football fans.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Madden NFL 26 finally feels ambitious with authentic presentation, weather realism, and the deepest Franchise overhaul since Madden 17, though Training Camp minigames, Superstar's lack of depth, and Ultimate Team's monetization hold it back from perfection.
Surprisingly, Madden NFL 26 finally delivers (albeit partially) on its promises of truly delivering significant improvements over its predecessors, whether in terms of more dynamic gameplay; a visual presentation that better explores what's already established; and the dynamics within its main modes. Despite some technical issues and controversial concepts, it's the best the franchise has offered in a long time.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
But the gameplay, easily the most important part, is not an issue. It's evident to me that the team at EA Sports tried to do what they could to make a solid version of Madden early in the life of the Switch 2. It's rough around the edges, but it's the most feature parity a Madden game has had on a Nintendo platform since the age of the GameCube. I hope that, unlike Madden on 3DS and Wii U, we get to see EA Sports take another crack at bringing Madden to Switch 2 because the initial release captures the fun of the game and future releases could refine and improve all of the technical aspects.
EA Sports Madden NFL 26 is on par with College Football this year. Both careers are once again very well implemented, if you ignore the interviews, which are still silent. Superstar impresses with its many extras and its successful connection system, while Franchise scores points above all with the numerous opportunities for influence that we have as team managers. I also really liked the improved presentation on the field, which makes the walk-ons more spectacular and now also individually staged for each team. In addition, the optimized weather system really makes an impression. Furthermore, improvements can also be seen in the animations, which make the game even more realistic, and several new control options and plays have also made their way into the simulation. Overall, Madden NFL 26 is a successful package that has improved on the somewhat weaker atmosphere of the past.
Review in German | Read full review
While the actual players look good, there’s a lot of visual issues. The music choices are eclectic, but primarily not up my alley and I have no control over that. There’s a very predatory approach to microtransactions and being able to be even a little competitive in ultimate team. Overall, with the $70 price tag and the amount of extra money that seems expected of you to spend to be able to really enjoy the game against other players, it would be cheaper for you to get a season ticket and just go to the games yourself.
Madden NFL 26 is a fun time as long as you can accept the caveats that come with it.
Madden NFL 26 is, without a doubt, the best game in the franchise in the last 10 years. Although it can be challenging for newcomers, it offers the most authentic simulation of the sport and is highly recommended for any American football fan.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
I’ve been burned by Madden before. Year after year, EA promises innovation, and year after year, I end up watching my offensive line forget how physics works while my quarterback moonwalks into a sack. So, when Madden NFL 26 dropped with early access and a laundry list of “game-changing” features, I approached it like a cornerback on a double move—hesitant, skeptical, and ready to get beat. Turns out, this year’s entry actually delivers.
What Madden 26 gets right, it really gets right. However, there’s a lot here that stops it from being what I believe it should be.
Madden NFL 26 is a feature-rich, highly customizable football simulation that blends authentic NFL presentation with deep gameplay modes. Its AI-driven playbook, improved animations, and variety of modes make it a strong entry for both newcomers and veterans. While some presentation elements and customisation options fall short, the core gameplay and depth of content make it a satisfying experience for fans of the sport. For those seeking a complete gridiron package, Madden NFL 26 delivers on the field.
Madden NFL 26 is yet another detailed coverage of the NFL, recreated with high authenticity and graphic quality. In this year's edition, even with the annual rhythm, EA Sports manages to bring several important new features to refine gameplay and overall quality, while singleplayer modes show enormous potential for months of entertainment.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It shows a promising improvement in its direction and for the future of the franchise. The gameplay improvements are clear compared to the previous release. The changes to single-player modes and coaching archetypes, fatigue management, and the game-planning system demonstrate that they have taken into account player feedback from Madden NFL 25. However, these advances are overshadowed by a series of technical glitches and a noticeable lack of polish.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Madden NFL 26 has surprised me as a significant improvement over last year’s version of the game. We have heard it before from EA about the improvements they made to the game only to see very minor or minimal improvements. Madden 26 feels different; I must give credit to EA for giving us a better game this year than we have had in a while. Even with the same franchise relocation teams, Franchise mode is the best we have had since Madden 2020.
We were this close to greatness in Madden this season, in my opinion. If EA would just bite the bullet and get some of those station/network licenses, pair it with these new presentations and the near realistic graphics, we’ll have something special. Lump those all in with some of the best gameplay Madden has had in a long time as well and you would have something that would make the casual fan second guess whether they were watching a video game or a real NFL game. Kudos to EA for a huge step in the right direction and I’m hopeful to see it improved on for next year. Madden NFL 26 is an absolute win/buy for fans, new and old, of the franchise.
When EA unveiled Madden NFL 26 earlier this year, expectations were cautious, but the promised improvements have all materialized. The game surpasses Madden 25 both on and off the field, with major leaps in presentation, gameplay, and an excellent new Franchise mode. While Superstar and MUT still need work, [TITLE] stands as a significant step forward - arguably the best Madden since Madden 17.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite some setbacks, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26 represents a successful return of the franchise to Nintendo consoles, with dynamism and immersion.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26 manages to be a solid entry in the football franchise, featuring excellent mechanics and dynamic gameplay. The game modes are ideal for those who are passionate about the sport and its tactics, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to play a full season in a simpler and more direct way. Furthermore, the content depth is lost without the inclusion of our language—which is a shame, as there are many fans of the sport here in Brazil.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
EA Sports has raised the bar with the launch of Madden 26, delivering an exceptional gaming experience that sets a new standard for the franchise.
Madden NFL 26 is an enjoyable and incredibly complete package. There’s something for the long time fans while there’s enough for newcomers with proper accessibility features to give players a chance to adapt to the gameplay. But as with any sports games that release on a yearly basis, where’s the innovation? Where’s the big changes that’ll make dropping £69.99 for a game that feels like previous entries. If you’re a die hard (american) football fan that knows all the stats, then this is a no-brainer. If you’re a casual player and haven’t played a Madden game in a few years, then this package will bring you up to date.