Madden '07 is a rare video game that isn't exactly the same across the consoles, but no matter which game system you own, it's an incredible football experience. Madden '07 has some of the most realistic on-field animations and sounds you'll find in a sports game.

The Xbox 360 version of the game now includes the NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode that was a part of last year's Madden for the big three consoles. It's a welcome addition: This mode lets you create your own player starting by choosing his parents and then turn him into a hall of famer by practicing and playing his position on the field from his perspective.

And there are plenty of new features in the video game across the board. One of the coolest--and toughest to master--is the new lead blocking control. It takes some learning to get it down, but once you have it, you can lay down some serious blocks and then switch control over to the running back and take off through the hole you've just made.

And as you're heading through that hole, you've got a vast repertoire of moves thanks to the highlight stick and the all-new jukes and cutbacks. These features combine to make the Madden '07 running game a blast to play.

On the Xbox 360 version, there's also a Mini-Camp mode where you can earn Madden gamer points that can be wagered against others players during a head-to-head game. It gives a nice risk vs. reward feel to the gameplay and lets you put your Madden where your mouth is.

Graphically, the game is a visual treat, especially on the Xbox 360. If you've got an HDTV, the video game looks beautiful, from the stadiums to the player animations to the halos glinting off the polished helmets.

Audio is also top-notch, with the on-field crunches and collisions adding to the effect while the heavy soundtrack fits the NFL vibe nicely. The commentary can seem a bit canned, but as always, the Ask Madden feature hooks you up with a choice play.

Madden NFL '07 really comes to life on the Xbox 360: the graphics, the extra modes, and the entire package make it a video game worthy of a next-generation console. 



Pros: Great graphics, lots of gameplay modes
Cons: Some features only in 360 version