PixlBit

Back when I was just a boy, Madden '94 was a cornerstone of my existence; alongside Ken Griffey Jr.'s Major League Baseball, of course. Back in those days, the Madden series was significantly less complex. The play selection was no deeper than any edition of NFL Blitz, and the controls were simple enough to work on the SNES controller. Though it wasn't particularly labeled as an arcade title, it featured enough similarities that I always considered it as such.

As time has gone on, I admit my interest in the series has dwindled, as has my interest in the sport at large. However, not long ago EA provided hope for a lapsed gamer like myself with the announcement of Madden NFL Arcade. The game promised a simpler Madden experience focused on quicker, less strategic games, as well as big offensive and defensive plays.

Of course, I wasn't quite sure what exactly to expect when booting up the game, but after just a single quick match, it was obvious that EA stripped Madden to its bones. All games are now a race to a set number of points (30 by default) without a time limit. The field is only 60 yards, there are no first downs, all modes with the exception of online and offline quick-match have been cut, and both offensive and defensive maneuvers have been boiled down to offer players no more than four different actions.

On offense, players can either run or pass long, medium, or short. Once the ball is hiked, if players chose to pass, they simply tap the button that corresponds to a player on the field, and the game mostly takes care of the rest. For those familiar with the Blitz series, Madden NFL Arcade is strikingly similar, though the play selection is obviously far more rudimentary.

Defense is equally simple, allowing players to choose only four actions: long, medium, and short coverage, as well as the classic blitz. From here players are given control of one defensive player, and given free reign to try and stop the offensive team.

The simplification of the control scheme and options is a welcome change, however it seems the options may have been simplified a bit too much. When the game is moving along well, the simple control scheme is quite welcome. But when two evenly matched contenders are put head-to-head, matches tend to run long, since that one tricky play that could have brought victory is no longer an option. While I don't believe that an extremely advanced play selection is necessary here, a few more options would have gone a long way.

Adding to the Arcade-style of the game are Game Changers. These power-ups are awarded randomly to either player before each play and have a variety of effects. Some of the more common game changers include the ability to slow down or speed up the game, add more defensive players to the line, or receive an instant first down. Most of the time, these provide for an interesting twist on the gameplay, making the game more enjoyable.

However there was one game changer in particular that was absolutely horrendous, causing me to question the purpose of its inclusion in the game. Somehow, the computer player was awarded a game changer that switched our scores, causing me to be at a ten-point deficit. Unfortunately, players can only turn off game changers as a whole rather than being able to select them individually. In a situation where friends are playing, special rules can be devised in order to eliminate use of this changer, but players will be subject to it in any computer matches they happen to play.

Overall, Madden NFL Arcade is a fun diversion that makes the Madden series accessible to all. Additionally, players looking for an experience that bears similarity to the now (mostly) defunct Blitz series have a viable option available for a minimal price.