EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26
Last updated: 2025-08-15
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- Best Madden in years, enhanced Superstar and Franchise modes.
- Improved AI realism and game presentation.
- Strong PC performance and great graphics.
- Suffers from severe performance and stability issues.
- Lack of innovation and persistent bugs.
- Superstar mode is broken and confusing kicking system.
Emotions
Frustration34%Disappointment24%Satisfaction20%Anger5%Excitement5%
- Reviews
(sample size) - 225
- Helpful reviews
- 63%
- Unhelpful reviews
- 28%
- Protest reviews
- 8%
- 40%Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
- 60%Helpful reviews with negative sentiment
- Positive points
- 236
- Negative points
- 406
- Gameplay points
- 26
- Perf. points
- 14
- Rec. points
- 53
- Misc points
- 31
| Point | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
Best Madden in Years
| Many players feel that Madden 26 is a significant improvement over recent iterations, with many calling it the best Madden in years. The overall gameplay experience is described as fun, solid, and a step in the right direction for the series. | 84% |
Superstar Mode Enhanced
| Superstar mode is highlighted as a major success, offering a fun and fleshed-out experience with new progression systems, a reputation system, and increased vibrancy compared to previous versions. | 29% |
Franchise Mode Improved
| Franchise mode has received substantial positive feedback, with players noting significant improvements, new customization options, and a more engaging experience that encourages long-term play. | 24% |
Enhanced Game Presentation
| The game's presentation has seen significant upgrades, including new pre-game cinematics, improved halftime shows with in-game clips, unique broadcast packages for prime-time games, and weekly recaps, all contributing to a more immersive feel. | 22% |
Improved AI Realism
| The AI has been improved, leading to more realistic player logic and defensive reactions. This makes the game feel more authentic and challenging, especially in how the AI covers receivers and shuts down short passes. | 15% |
Smoother Player Movement
| Player movement, particularly running the ball, feels much smoother and more realistic. Defensive back play has also improved, making passing a greater challenge and adding to the strategic depth. | 11% |
Advanced Coaching Options
| Franchise mode includes new and improved coaching options, allowing for more detailed upgrades and strategic decision-making regarding player training and team alignment. | 9% |
Great Graphics Quality
| Players generally praise the game's graphics, noting them as smooth and the best they have been, contributing to the overall visual appeal of the game. | 9% |
Excellent Soundtrack
| The game's soundtrack and music selection are well-received, with players appreciating the variety and overall quality of the audio experience. | 9% |
Strong PC Performance
| The game reportedly runs very well on PC, with high frame rates even on max settings, indicating good optimization for the platform. | 8% |
Realistic New Animations
| New animations, especially for running, are noted as very nice and realistic, enhancing the visual fidelity and feel of gameplay. | 7% |
Customizable Celebrations
| The new celebration system, allowing players to choose specific celebrations with button inputs, is a welcome addition. | 5% |
Promising MUT Experience
| Some players are enjoying Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) for the first time, finding it a promising mode, especially for solo players. | 4% |
New Pass Commit Settings
| New pass commit settings, including RPO pass commit options, are appreciated by players for adding strategic depth. | 4% |
Strategic Gameplay Required
| On harder difficulties, the game requires more strategic play, forcing players to read defenses and make precise passes to gain yards. | 4% |
Occasional Game Crashes
| Based on limited feedback, some players experienced crashes, indicating potential stability issues despite generally smooth performance. | 3% |