Wii owners can look forward to tossing around the old pigskin again this fall with Madden NFL 11 for Wii. At E3 2010, I got a chance to jump on the field and see how the newest entry in the long-running franchise feels for Nintendo’s home console.
- The visual style from last year returns along with new-and-improved weather effects. The game runs smoothly, and I dig the stylized character models. The overall presentation pops well with vibrant colors and a slick menu interface that capitalizes on the Wii Remote pointer. Picking plays was a cinch.
- Choosing a play also becomes easier thanks in part to GameFlow. The new feature decides the play for you after a simple click of a button. From here, you can audible or adjust routes with the Wii remote pointer. GameFlow really picks up the pace of the game and takes away the sometimes-tiresome process of digging through menus and menus of formations. The function worked well during my short playtime, though I worry how intelligent the system works game after game in Franchise Mode.
- Though impossible to experience at E3, Madden NFL 11 for Wii sports a revamped Franchise Mode. EA claims “four key components — Campus and Perks, Legacy, Assistants, and Scenarios — are the foundation of a redefined Franchise mode. With assistant coaches guiding you through every scenario thrown your way, and a passionate fan base hungry for championships, all eyes are on you in your quest to build one of the greatest legacies in history.”
Madden NFL 11 hits Wii on Aug. 10.