First preview and videos of Madden 09 for the Wii

IGN has posted the first full preview of the Wii version of Madden 09. Until now all that was known was the game would feature the new “All-Play” ideals while being designed from the ground up for the Wii, have a five on five mode, online play, and the ability to design plays on the fly by drawing routes. In the new preview IGN adds that the game will have Superstar mode and more mini-games, while going into greater detail on the previously known aspects of the game.

Next up on the must-know list of Madden 09 is Call Your Shot mode, which is hands-down the best gameplay feature we’ve seen from Madden in years, and that includes any version of the game. Call Your Shot works as an active audible situation, so any time pre-snap when you’re on offense you can hit A, and then initiate Call Your Shot mode. From here, it’s up to you to make your own plays similar to Pro Evolution Soccer’s pointer-based control, so you’ll tap on any eligible receiver with the A button, move your cursor anywhere on the field to make another point for them to run directly to, and repeat until hitting the minus key on the Wii-mote.

The reaction to the make-up and videos of NCAA Football on the Wii has varied from apathy to hate. There seems to be a lot more potential with how Madden is shaping up. Specifically the inclusion of a superstar mode is intriguing. I envision it being easier to utilize the controls of the Wii when concentrating on what you are doing with an individual player instead of controlling the whole team. In a way it takes the ideals of “All-Play” but without presenting what many might consider to be a cheaper overall experience. “Call Your Shot” looks pretty good in the video for what it is intended to do, which isn’t to match the depth that the hardcore crowd will find with the play creator in NFL Head Coach 09.

Continue on to view videos which focus mainly on displaying “Call Your Shot” and the five on five mode.