The "Precision Passing" isn't really a new feature even though it's being hyped as one. It's simply a way to lead your receiver using the left thumbstick. You can throw it high, low, in front or behind your target. While not really anything revolutionary it is vital that you use this in order to pass effectively. Just pressing the pass button is a surefire way to get a pass knocked down by the game's almost superhuman defensive backs. It's also worth noting that Madden does an excellent job with its risk/reward passing model. It's a lot easier to complete an 8-yard curl route than it is a 40 yard bomb. This is vital to designing a moderately realistic passing game and Madden 06 nails it.

There are other new feature on offense, such as several new pre-snap reads and the "Truck Stick" which is really nothing more than forcing a running back to lower his head.

Blocking is just plain goofy at times. You are likely to see more pancake blocks in one game of Madden than you'll see in an entire season of NFL football. What is particularly disconcerting is the number of times a blitzing linebacker is not only blocked but blasted by a tackle or even a running back onto his backside. No football game should allow Ray Lewis to get pancaked by Lee Suggs. Ever.

One old Madden problem continues to be an annoyance; suction blocking is all too alive and well this year. If a blitzing linebacker is running from sideline to sideline in pursuit of a running back, a pulling guard should not be able to block that linebacker if he's behind him, sucking the player to him in some bizarre turn around animation. It just looks plain silly, and yet this has been a problem with the game for years.

Other issues include the aforementioned super human defensive backs that possess the ability to leap in the air like Neo from The Matrix to swat away passes. You can lower the "pass knockdown" slider which helps this to a degree but the best way to avoid this silly technique from ruining your game is to use the precision passing method to lead your receivers. Still, this has to get fixed for the Xbox 360 version.

Finally, the special teams play needs revamped because the return game is practically broken. The CPU can't return a kick to save its life and there is literally no blocking on punt returns. Your players will actually just stand and watch. The only way to get any kind of return is to always call a punt block formation and hope you get a kick that you can return a few yards. Calling a regular punt return formation is a recipe toward a guaranteed fair catch.

Online

ust a brief note about online play--the fact that Madden still does not support league play is almost inexcusable. You can run an online franchise mode via the new EA Locker feature to manually send files to each player but it's a huge hassle because games must be played one at a time. Yes you can play ranked games and set up nice little tourneys and such, but what is the point of football without a league to support it?

The Franchise

Franchise mode is basically the same as in Madden 05 with a few exceptions. There is now a 'sim to end' feature called Total Sim Control. This allows you to start a game, then jump in and play, and then quit and sim the game to the end whenever you wish. This is a great way to simulate a game that's a blowout.

Franchise mode is very effective at keeping the rosters dynamic but there are still old issues that have yet to be addressed. The draft AI remains highly suspect as teams do a poor job of drafting for need. CPU teams still refuse to place players on the IR when they get hurt for an entire season. If a team gets too many injuries they're forced to cut players, which is just silly. Finally, the retirement model needs to be completely reworked. Way too many players who are in their mid 30s retire even though they still have very high ratings. NFL players are going to play as long as they can, and for Trent Green to retire after an injury free Pro Bowl year still with a 91 overall rating just makes no sense, and he's by far the norm rather than the exception. Old players simply do not age fast enough which can make for some bizarre multi-season leagues.

Still, the rookie combine and scouting remains top notch and the mini camp feature, while not new, keeps the off season entertaining. Franchise mode in Madden 06 isn't perfect, but is still very playable and enjoyable.

In closing

In the end Madden 06 for the Xbox is typical of the Madden releases on this generation of consoles. It's still basically the same game as before only with some significant tweaks. With the Madden 360 version looming on the horizon, the swan song on the current Xbox is a solid game with some of the same old frustrations combined with some sharp new features. It's still not as good as it should be, but it's good enough to warrant a purchase. - William Abner