Video game review by ERIK LEIJON

Our worst nightmares have become reality. Last December, when Electronic Arts announced it had become the exclusive licence holder of the NFL and NFLPA, a disturbing worry crept into the minds of all football gaming fans. I mean, when was the last time an exclusive deal, monopoly by any other name, worked in the favour of the consumer? When was the last time you were completely satisfied with your cable package, or how did you like paying Bell 50 bucks a month for local calls?

Madden 06 (PS2, Xbox, GC/EA Sports, EA Sports) has no competition from the 2k series this year, and little incentive to improve. To be fair, Madden is still a very good football game, but this year’s version is essentially the same game as last year’s, with updated rosters and a shiny new box. The areas they did actually try to improve feel like change for changes’ sake, and not genuine innovation.

You’ll notice as soon as you step on the virtual field, the quarterback now has a cone-shaped headlight emanating from his head. This is called QB vision control, and it’s supposed to enhance the realistic experience of being a quarterback, as well as allow the defences to read you. Basically, you must throw to a receiver situated in your line of sight. If you don’t throw the ball to a player in your vision, he won’t catch it, no matter how open he is.

You can adjust the headlight with either the right analog or by holding the R trigger (for Xbox) and the receiver’s icon. Doing so adds dangerous seconds in the pocket for the quarterback, so expect more sacks (I call it “Rob Johnson vision”). Though it’s an interesting idea, it doesn’t feel intuitive, and takes serious practice to get a handle of its basics. It also removes any skill an actual gamer may have at finding open receivers, since having a good pivot will make your headlight considerably larger than others. Another addition, precision passing, has been in the 2k series since the Dreamcast days.

The franchise mode has been revamped slightly, with the added “superstar” mode, which allows you to go through the franchise mode as an individual player. You can hire agents, do interviews, get endorsement deals, and even tell off your coaches. The problem with this mode is everything is text based, so there are no special CG-scenes with you starring in you first great movie role, just a warbled phone message from Terrell Davis congratulating you. It will dawn on you how repetitive this mode is when J.C. calls you on your cellphone to tell you the exact same message for the 100th time (no joke). More interesting is the DNA fantasy draft, where you are randomly assigned parents with certain physical and mental attributes, prior to your being drafted. However, after trying the mode twice and playing multiple seasons though, it just seemed like my decisions had no effect on what type of superstar I became.

Football fans who desire a game with an NFL-licence have no choice—it’s Madden or bust. You will be disappointed that this game hasn’t improved on the actual problems with the Madden series (play-by-play glitches, late pass interference calls, punt return fumbles, some floaty ball physics), but if you plan on playing online (which is not possible on the GC version) or with friends, you’ll find Madden dependable fun. Otherwise, you should wait for the next-gen Madden or the unlicensed Blitz: The League (Midway) if updated rosters aren’t that important to you.

Now playing: Madden 06 (PS2, Xbox, GC) Wishlist: Far Cry Instincts (Xbox)