Summary

• Some Madden games have received lower review scores over the years, showing a trend towards less favorable reception.
• Madden NFL games are generally well-received, with positive feedback from football enthusiasts old and new.
• The top 20 best Madden NFL games are ranked based on reviews and Metacritic scores highlighting the series' shining moments.

Sports video games are a major part of the video game community, and this is especially true for the popular Madden series of football games. With yearly releases that line up with the real-world NFL seasons, it can be hard to make every entry a touchdown. Naturally, some titles in the franchise have done better than others, although overall, the Madden NFL games are generally received with positive reception. As football is one of the most popular sports in the world, it's not surprising that these yearly games continue to be popular purchases.

Some Madden games are well-polished, well-thought-out, and incredibly fun titles for both football experts and newcomers alike. Unfortunately, the games struggle with feeling stale and microtransactions make some Madden games feel more focused on making money than providing a genuinely fun experience. Recent years have seen a general trend towards lower review scores. Looking at an overview of the twenty best Madden NFL games ranked helps showcase where the series has shone the brightest.

This list is based on a combined look at reviews and Metacritic scores to determine which games are the best.

Madden NFL 06 (Released August 2005)

Metacritic Score 74

Madden NFL 06 features the Eagles' Donovan McNabb on the cover. This game is notable for introducing some unique mechanics into the series, with gameplay like Madden NFL precision passing, QB Vision Control, and the series staple Superstar mode/Career mode. The game was also a launch title for the Xbox 360, suitably heralding the franchise's entry into the new generation. Madden NFL 06 sits at a 74 on Metacritic, with many reviews praising the game's innovation.

Madden NFL 20 (Released June 2019)

Metacritic Score 76

Although Madden NFL 20 was still a satisfactory game, it did not do as well as some of its predecessors. Patrick Mahomes landed the cover and pulled off a rare feat by winning the Super Bowl in the same year. The game itself might not have been a Super Bowl winner, coming in at a solid but comparatively modest 76 on Metacritic, but it had its merits. Most notable was the QB1 career campaign, which allowed a player to experience college, the pros, and more, working to improve upon an already successful Superstar Mode.

Madden NFL 12 (Released August 2011)

Metacritic Score 78

Madden NFL 12 had some interesting new features, such as an auction-style bid during free agency for the Franchise Mode, and it presented the chance to trade for draft picks. That said, the game lacked any truly new modes and felt too similar overall to many of the games that had come before, giving it a stale feel. Although a Metacritic score of 78 isn't a bad score, it also showed that the untouchable success that Madden NFL had seen in the early 2000s was disappearing.

Madden NFL 19 (Released August 2018)

Metacritic Score 80

While trying to come up with ways to raise their ratings again, Madden NFL 19 began the process of using "real player motions" in the game to simulate more of an actual football game feel. The mechanics were driven by stats and performances of real athletes, which led to players making cuts and performing blocks that lined up with how they looked in real life.

The game also made the move to include a continuation of the Longshot story mode from the previous game, which isn't something a lot of sports franchises do with their respective story/career modes. The game earned an 80 on Metacritic, but various AI issues made fans less receptive.

Madden NFL 07 (Released August 2006)

Metacritic Score 80

Madden NFL 07 was released as a launch title for both the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, and it served as a wonderful introduction for many players who were new to football games as well as the new consoles. Featuring running back Shaun Alexander on the cover, the game brought some new additions to the series, including lead blocker control, spins to avoid tacklers, and Madden changes like stringing together evasive moves. The game received a positive reception, landing at an 80 on Metacritic.

Madden NFL 25 (Released August 2013)

Metacritic Score 80

As the year 2025 looms closer, 2013's Madden NFL 25 is an increasingly confusing title, and it will be interesting to see how the 2025 game is distinguished from it. In 2013, Madden NFL 25 was released as a way to honor the silver anniversary of the NFL's official video game series.

The game tried new things with the presentation, including things like the use of social media, but struggled with several glitches. That said, the game received a Metacritic score of 80 with praise for the improvements made to the franchise mode and the inclusion of legends like Joe Montana and Barry Sanders.

Madden NFL 15 (Released August 2014)

Metacritic Score 81

Madden NFL 15 took a lot of the key features that worked for earlier games and leaned into them to build a solid title. It featured good graphics, a soundtrack that included a lot of diversity and impressive quality, and its presentation was well done. The game was seen as EA looking to improve upon issues, although it was not without its faults with some lackluster commentary and the removal of online team play. Last-gen versions also didn't work well, with the development having been focused on newer systems. Still, it was well-received overall, with an 81 score on Metacritic.

Madden NFL 13 (Released August 2012)

Metacritic Score 81

There are a few historic caveats regarding this game, including it being the final Madden released on the Wii and the only one for the Wii U and PlayStation Vita. As soon as it was booted up, some fans were upset as the popular EA Trax was gone, meaning that there wasn't any licensed music in Madden NFL 13. Instead, the menus were filled with instrumentals, which did not fit with the football vibe and turned away many fans. The gameplay remained solid enough to earn an 81 on Metacritic, however, and the Connected Careers mode let players combine Franchise and Superstar mode into one place if they wanted.

Madden NFL 17 (Released August 2016)

Metacritic Score 82

A year before Brady was on the cover, his teammate Rob Gronkowski was given the honor. By this point, those who had been playing the game for over a decade had noticed that Madden was becoming stale, with things not changing all that much in terms of gameplay. So, EA Sports looked to make a few alterations to improve things in Madden NFL 17, including adding the ground game mechanism to balance things out. The developer also made franchise mode a bit deeper and worked on the defensive side of things. The game earned an 82 on Metacritic, even if its commentary and presentation missed the mark.

Madden NFL 18 (Released August 2017)

Metacritic Score 82

Right off the bat, Madden NFL 18 stood out because of Tom Brady, its cover athlete, and a new G.O.A.T. Edition that gave players early access. In a notable addition to the series, this was the first installment to feature the Frostbite engine that is still used today.

This game also marked the debut of the Longshot mode, which let players control a quarterback's career through high school, college, the combine, and eventually the NFL. Some reviewers considered it a great addition, and it helped to earn the game an 82 on Metacritic despite the first implementation of the Frostbite engine having awkward animations and issues.

Madden NFL 09 (Released August 2008)

Metacritic Score 83

While the Madden series had seemed unstoppable throughout the early 2000s, Madden NFL 09 can be considered the start of the franchise's decline. Released in August 2008 and featuring football legend Brett Favre on the cover, Madden NFL 09 has the distinction of being the last game released for the Xbox in North America. Like some of its predecessors, many praised the game for the next-gen graphical updates and enhanced physics, earning it an 83 on Metacritic, although some criticized the "same old" gameplay, and poorly balanced online play made it a step backward from Madden NFL 08.

Madden NFL 16 (Released August 2015)

Metacritic Score 83

Following the removal of EA Trax, it took the game three years to reintroduce it, with licensed music returning to Madden NFL 16, although players could still opt for instrumental tracks if they preferred. In terms of the actual gameplay, not all that much changed, but a larger focus was put on the passing mechanics. The game also took advantage of the popularity of fantasy football with the Madden NFL Draft Champions mode, combining fantasy elements with on-the-field action. These improvements earned the game an 83 on Metacritic.

Madden NFL 11 (Released August 2010)

Metacritic Score 84

There were still attempts to innovate the series when Madden NFL 11 hit the shelves, including the new GameFlow mechanic, which was done to speed up the time each game took. That was mostly well-received by casual fans, although the more dedicated players did not want to have their games sped up. Commentary in the game was a highlight, as was the gameplay and some of the modes, justifying Madden NFL 11's 84 on Metacritic. Madden Ultimate Team proved to be a misstep, however, with players unhappy about being incentivized to spend real-life money to guide their team to victory.

Madden NFL 08 (Released August 2007)

Metacritic Score 85

Madden NFL 08 was released on 11 platforms, particularly as it was on the precipice between the sixth and seventh generations of consoles. This included versions of the game being launched for the PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, and GameCube in addition to the PC. Starring the Tennessee Titans' Vince Young on the cover, Madden NFL 08 sits at 85 on Metacritic, with many critics praising the improvements, features, and buttery sixty frames per second.

Madden NFL 10 (Released August 2009)

Metacritic Score 85

Madden NFL 10 is recognizable for its unique cover that featured two athletes rather than just one, the Steelers' Troy Polamalu, and the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald. The game itself was well-received, accruing an 85 on Metacritic and proving less divisive among fans than its predecessor, Madden NFL 09. Overall, it proved a solid title with a good running game, passing game, and much better graphics.

Madden NFL 2005 (Released August 2004)

Metacritic Score 91

Madden NFL 2005 was the last Madden game on the original PlayStation. As 2004 was also a fantastic year for online gaming, Madden NFL 2005 proved to be the first in the series to feature Xbox Live online capabilities. Many critics praised the complex gameplay and new defensive system, giving the game an impressive 91 Metacritic score. The online portion also helped bring the Madden series into a new generation, and the franchise would never be the same again.

Madden NFL 2001 (Released August 2000)

Metacritic Score 91

Madden NFL 2001 proves one of the better entries in the long-running franchise, coming at a time when the game was at its all-time high. Subsequent titles would bring more to the table, but the game more than delivered for the time of its release, receiving widespread critical acclaim with a 91 on Metacritic. This game is notable for several firsts, including being the first Madden game on the PlayStation 2 and featuring a football player (Eddie George) on the cover, rather than box art of John Madden himself.

Madden NFL 2004 (Released August 2003)

Metacritic Score 94

Madden NFL 2004 was a little too early for Xbox Live, but it was an enormous success, nevertheless. This entry introduced the Owner mode, which allowed players to control the team's owner and gain all the responsibilities that came with owning a professional football team. The mode was quite robust, complete with the option to lower or raise hot dog prices at the stadium. As a perfect evolution of the Madden improvements in the early 2000s and a great title to this day, Madden NFL 2004 earned a 94 on Metacritic.

Madden NFL 2002 (Released August 2001)

Metacritic Score 94

Madden NFL 2002 is a throwback, indeed. It was the last Madden title to be released for the Game Boy Color and Nintendo 64 and it was a launch title for both the Nintendo GameCube and Xbox. It was also the first game to feature the Houston Texans, who joined the NFL for the 2002 season. Madden NFL 2002 took what worked in 2001 and made numerous improvements. These included a muscular AI opponent, an improved physics engine, and more substantial gameplay mechanics. Critics loved the title, giving it a 94 on Metacritic.

Madden NFL 2003 (Released August 2002)

Metacritic Score 95

Madden NFL continued the streak of improvement for the franchise in the early 2000s. Featuring Marshall Faulk on the cover, Madden NFL 2003 sits with a 95 as the best Madden NFL game according to Metacritic. Many reviews of the game gave it a perfect score, often praising the strong gameplay mechanics and variety of modes that players could choose from. With the highest ratings, it still serves as a strong ambassador for some of Madden NFL's best years.

Sources: Metacritic (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)