After playing the PS3 version for about 2 months and the PS2 version about 5 days....

[sportyguyfl31]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

....I find myself more drawn to the PS2 version. Thats right. Now let me say this off the bat, its not that I think the PS3 is a bad game, because in my opinion its not, in fact I think its a good game, I just feel as though the PS2 version is a more complete game. How so you may ask? Well lets get something else out there. The PS2 version can't compete in terms of graphics or animations. Thats a given. And the franchise mode in both versions is pretty lame, although I would give the slight nod to the PS2 version only because of player progression in preseason and the fact that I can see position battles in the preseason. I know, pretty minute huh? But on the field, the PS2 version stands above the PS3. The atmosphere for one is more enticing, given the refs on the field, the chain gang, the crowd, the grass stains during non weather games, the dirt infields during the first few weeks of the season, and the animated coaches. Again, its minute, but it really draws you in. And to be quite honest, I enjoy listening to Madden and Michaels call the game vs Collinsworth and Hammond, even though M&M's commentary has been recycled for many, many years. But aside from the "fluff", the core gameplay is more solid. Fatigue, the ability to have player matchups, the ability to shade defenders inside or out to better guard slants and/or out patterns, smart zones on defense(being able to have your zone defenders "guard" the first down line) the ability of the QB avoidance, the cpu challenging plays, and seeing passes go awry and/or be dropped are really welcomed and once you play the older versions, you quickly realize how much you are missing them. Robo QB, as people have termed it, still seems the same in the PS2 as the PS3, although the user is given more weapons to counteract. At least, I guess given the complaints I've seen. This isn't meant to bash the PS3 version nor meant to be used as a springboard to bash the next gen versions and EA, although we all know it will and which is why I was hesitant to post this at all. But I felt it could be useful to Ian and others to see what a fan of EA football fan thinks about the comparison between the two versions. Anyhow, I'll stop here and let other discuss/debate my "findings" and hopefully this thread can stay mature and maybe offer some valuable feedback in regards to what a person like me is looking for in the PS3 version that it doesn't have yet, but really added to the atmosphere of the PS2 version. Who knows. But please, lets not turn this thread hostile. If anyone has any specific questions about the PS2 version or would like to know more info on what I feel is better/worse, feel free to ask away. But I will answer one question that people may ask. Yes, I will and am still playing the PS3 version and yes, I now own both versions of the game. Ok, maybe I answered two questions.

My favorite and most played versions of Madden and NCAA this year was the Wii. The "old gen" engine is just flat out better then this garbage we have now.

For 1, I saw a fair amount of penalties on default settings, and I also saw the dang QB's make mistakes, and the defense react better.

I remember one game I was playing, Laverneous Coles got knocked out of the game. What did the CPU do? They began ganging up on Jerricho Cotchery, doubling him constantly.

I played another game, Dolphins-Chargers, I was the Fish. Chad Pennington got injured, and when I put Henne in, the CPU started coming out in 8 man fronts.

The game recognized that I had a key player out, and played me accordingly.

In addition, The CPu QB actually made mistakes. They would hold the ball, and try to make a read, and sometimes who could get something I fondly remember as a coverage sack.

The CPU would actually try to stretch the field.

Now, we have this nonsense where career backups and journeymen, make lightning quick, flawless reads, as if they are multi time All Pros.

[BengalTiger]

Quote: Originally Posted by icicle22

Nabbed myself and xbox copy for $14.99 as stated above. Put it in and wow. I am not trying to start a last gen war, but the difference betweem Xbox and PS2 for Madden 09 is significant. I have original xbox with HD cables and it plays at true 480 P and the jaggies are almost non exisent here. Also, the widescreen image fills the screen completely. On the Ps3 it left a lot of black area around the frame that was wasted. The lag of aliasing on all the edges really goes a long way to making this "last gen" title playable for me. It still looks no where near as good as next gen but it plays smooth and there are so many more options. The only issue I have in my first game, is when the CPU D decides to blitz, there is no way to get away from it. My QB is sacked....NOW. they shoot through so fast I have no time to do anything. Any ideas? Am I going to get used to it or this something I need to adress via sliders?

I agree. The xbox version plays much smoother than the ps2 version. I thought the ps2 version had some slowdown issues transitioning to the playcall screen.

The drawback to the xbox version is there's no NCAA game to import draft classes from.

[Segagendude]

Pretty neat---------during a cutscene, I saw two players getting up in each other's faces.....lol!

[icicle22]

Quote: Originally Posted by BengalTiger

I agree. The xbox version plays much smoother than the ps2 version. I thought the ps2 version had some slowdown issues transitioning to the playcall screen. The drawback to the xbox version is there's no NCAA game to import draft classes from.

That is something I hadn't thought too much about. Oh well. By the time I finish one season Madden 2010 will be out for Xbox 360 and it will have all of the features we want anyway! Right?

[ab2c4]

Quote: Originally Posted by BengalTiger

I found the xbox version of 09 for 19.99 in a bargain bin at Best Buy. It was the only copy they had, so i snatched it up. Anyone looking for the xbox version, check Best Buy, they seem to be dumping it already.

Is the ps2 version the same price? If not, my local Radio Shack has Madden 09 PS2 for $23.99 which still isn't bad.

I was reading a review on a site (I can't remember which one, I found it through Gamerankings.com) and they complained that the cpu fumbles more in 09 PS2 than in 08 PS2. Any truth to that?

[BengalTiger]

Quote: Originally Posted by ab2c4

Is the ps2 version the same price? If not, my local Radio Shack has Madden 09 PS2 for $23.99 which still isn't bad. I was reading a review on a site (I can't remember which one, I found it through Gamerankings.com) and they complained that the cpu fumbles more in 09 PS2 than in 08 PS2. Any truth to that?

Not sure about the PS2 version. I didn't see any in the bins and BB's website still lists it at 39.99.

[Hammerhunker]

Reason number, I lost track of the number, why the old version is better. I just figured this out, though other have probably already have.

In the past I always liked Coach Mode because I am not a good thumb jockey. I love to have total control before the snap with playcalling and adjustments and let the computer sim. the results. I felt like my bumbling play skewed the results. But, I didn't like how you were so limited with what you could do before the snap (no motion, no formation shift). I pretty much gave up on that mode because of that.

For some reason I gave this mode a try this morning and what do you know, all of those features are usable in this mode. That discovery for me made this a nearly perfect game. I played a game that played out nearly to perfection as far as stats and outcome. I don't know when this was available, but I sure missed the boat if it has been the last 3 years. Simply Awesome!

Side beating of the dead horse: No wonder we are in the shape we are in a country. Businesses are so stupid. Take EA for example, not making the next gen. games better than the old version and forcing people to pay less money for a better gaming experience.

[bsb13]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hammerhunker

Reason number, I lost track of the number, why the old version is better. I just figured this out, though other have probably already have. In the past I always liked Coach Mode because I am not a good thumb jockey. I love to have total control before the snap with playcalling and adjustments and let the computer sim. the results. I felt like my bumbling play skewed the results. But, I didn't like how you were so limited with what you could do before the snap (no motion, no formation shift). I pretty much gave up on that mode because of that. For some reason I gave this mode a try this morning and what do you know, all of those features are usable in this mode. That discovery for me made this a nearly perfect game. I played a game that played out nearly to perfection as far as stats and outcome. I don't know when this was available, but I sure missed the boat if it has been the last 3 years. Simply Awesome! Side beating of the dead horse: No wonder we are in the shape we are in a country. Businesses are so stupid. Take EA for example, not making the next gen. games better than the old version and forcing people to pay less money for a better gaming experience.

The thing I dislike most about coach mode is the fact that you cant do a hard count....so might as well forget about encroachment/offsides by the CPU..

[Hammerhunker]

Quote: Originally Posted by bsb13

The thing I dislike most about coach mode is the fact that you cant do a hard count....so might as well forget about encroachment/offsides by the CPU..

Big deal. With what else you can do it is worth it to me. Besides I thought I went on 2 once. May have to check that out again, but if not, oh well.

[matt8204]

Quote: Originally Posted by Segagendude

I start thinking that same thing.......until I pop in MLB 08 The Show! Just played my MNF game Browns(me)/Bills. I won, 28-17. Since it was the Monday Nighter, Jamal Lewis got the Horse Trailer Player of Game. (18 rushes for 116 yds, 2 td's) Currently, I'm 6-4 in my Chise, tied for first w/Pittsburgh.

That game (and NHL 09) just shows you what's possible on this generation of consoles with a concerted effort by developers. I'm not a big baseball fan, but you have to respect and appreciate the incredible effort that was put into The Show.

There's a Gamestop just down the street from my office; I might have to pick up the PS2 version of '09 when I get out today. I still remember how much fun I had with past PS2 Maddens; nothing on next-gen has come close, which is a shame.