Brett Favre and Madden NFL ‘09

Did the folks at EA Sports and Xbox know something we all didn’t know about Brett Favre still being around for the release of Madden NFL ‘09. I love Brett Favre, but I’m getting tired of all the drama surrounding his return to the league.

On the one side of the coin, if Brett wants to come out of retirement and continue to play football that’s fine. However, I think from the Green Bay Packer sideline they should have some kind of say-so the possibility of playing against him in their own division.

I’m not sure what the risk is of a player going from one team to another and taking confidential team information with them. I’ve got to think that having a quarterback that is probably intimately familiar with the defense patterns that were thrown at him during practices would be pretty helpful.

Focusing on the game of Madden NFL ‘09 and its upcoming release, there’s loads to be excited about besides the fact that Favre is gracing the cover of the game.

• Level the playing field: An all-new Adaptive Difficulty Engine assesses your proficiency in the core skills areas of football, then tailors the experience to match your playing style. An innovative, all-new virtual Training Center allows you to fine-tune your game in a holographic environment, while EA SPORTS BackTrack provides customized feedback, giving you a chance to learn from your mistakes. Then, take what you’ve learned and run the play again with EA SPORTS Rewind.

• Beyond broadcast presentation: Set your sights on the Vince Lombardi Trophy in an all-new network television-style broadcast as Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond call the action from the booth. A more immersive and visually stunning presentation package also includes a new Options OnDemand Picture-in-Picture playcall window giving you access to a wealth of stats, customized tips, and in-game options, all at your fingertips without having to pause the game.

• Online leagues 2.0: Make a run for the postseason for the first time online. Featuring trades and statistical tracking for online leagues, up to 32 teams can battle it out using all-new flex scheduling.

• New look and feel: With an enhanced graphics engine and new player models, linemen battle in the trenches with more bulky physiques, while backs and receivers fly around the field with a more sleek and slimmer look. Featuring the most realistic-looking grass and field turf ever in a sports game, new weather and stadium lighting effects, and active exterior stadium views, Madden NFL 09 is hands down the best looking sports game ever made!

• Most authentic gameplay ever: Built from the ground up, an all-new Total Control Animation System allows for instantaneous combo moves while bringing new aspects to the game, including missed field goal returns, bobble catches, wrap-up/break-out tackles, user controlled celebrations, and more.

I’m sure this will be one of the games my son will be asking for as soon as he sees it on the shelves. He already beats me at Madden ‘08, I might as well add this one to the list of games he’s schooling his dad on too.