Madden NFL 18 Retrospective: Style Over Substance 

I know you probably won't , but I'd love to see a comprehsive decline of Madden Mobile video from MM15 to Overdrive and beyond in this style.

I’ll say it again, if the NFL can ditch DirecTV after almost 30 years then there is no reason why they can’t drop Madden. Especially if Goodell is always talking about “expanding the brand”

Thank you for being one of the few to actually hold madden to their bs.

But if they add dynamic weather that would require adding more voice lines for announcers, and we know Madden can't be bothered to do that

Have been playing NCAA Football 14 and maaaan. i haven't got this much fun with a Football game in ages

I remember being so pumped for this game and being so let down. This was the last time I made that mistake with Madden. I've been playing since "98 and just fed up with the shit man.

I love this game, it has always been one of if not my favorite Madden that I have played. the memories and fun I have had playing the game will keep Madden 18 in my heart.

You make the best sports video game retrospectives I swear. Even when you don’t drop vids for a while I find myself coming back to your old ones often, keep it up man you’ve really came a long way!

madden 24 doesn't even have heavy snow anymore..

I still play Madden 18 every now and then, creating custom Super Bowl 52 matchups were really fun when those playoffs were going on I also look back on it to remember a really good season of football

3:26 and EA can’t make the excuse of “it didn’t have dynamic weather” because Frostbite does have that option. Battlefield 4 and 1 are good examples of it.

Great video. When a company accumulates billions from one video game franchise, they can afford to make almost anything happen with their game. EA moving to frostbite just showed us how much ea doesn't care about making a well developed game and software to support that game, rather than creating cash grabs every year for suckers to buy.

this must be the 8th time you make a video like this but it’s a reminder that we need

Madden 18 was the most rage inducing madden I’ve ever played

I think it is genuinely important for there to be people talking seriously about sports games. Casuals just write them off as just the same game again every time, and reviewers do the same but think that because it isn't worse it must be exceptional. Anyone actually passionate about these games will know that there's differences that set each game apart. We need that nuance because we need to look critically at these kinds of games, and appreciate the successes for what they did right and the world they capture.

This game was so nostalgic for me tho ICL, The music was solid and I didnt mind Longshot

I really dig how you do your best to express your viewpoints but also being fair in giving out some positive quips and such also in your view for these modern maddens. And of course the music as usual. It was good to catch up with some of your recent videos like your NBA ones into this one and soon for your Madden Presentation change ups video. That’s all from I. Keep up the great content.

Superstar mode was awesome. One of my best gaming memories was helping lead my team to the playoffs as their star halfback.

MADDEN 18 Without a doubt is my most played madden and the one i still play today. It is not perfect, but with slight tweaks, the game plays very well. I was a highly highly ranked online player and it was the first time i felt like people couldnt run swiss cheese plays, there was always something that could stop someones cheese. I know a lot of fans hated it and most likely because the defense was hard to beat in this one. Although 17 and 18 were similar, Madden 19 was arguably the biggest step back any video game franchise would ever take. I could not believe it and all i could think was that it was done on purpose so they could make it seem like it would get better over the years to come. I havent purchased madden since 18 and i am shocked at how terrible they still play, even at madden 24 now. So sad.

I still remember being introduced to Madden 2001 by my older brother and cousin. I still remember walking to the hardware store to buy Madden 04. Madden 03-06 were my prime and I would love everytime I got a new one and adjusting my rosters. I got Madden 09 for Ps3 on Christmas still good times. I got Madden 12 when I got my first job, still fun game. Than my Bro got Madden 16 for Ps4 and I hardly remember the game, besides you probably couldn't edit players positions like wr to te. I remember buying Madden 19 when I got a steady job but I never made it passed the tutorials. And that was pretty much the end of my Madden career. Idk why I never really went back, maybe because I'm old school and hardly watch the games anymore, but part of it was not being able to edit positions, because I was always a Franchise mode guy

damn, i remember me and my cousin used to get home from school just to play madden 18 and cod infinite warfare miss those days.

I will defend madden 18 to the grave, my first ever xbox one game, I still play it weekly to this day, it's alot more realistic when it comes to franchise then it is nowadays

Madden 04 is goated and 05 with the hit stick and 06 with the qb passing, good times 🔥

When I had the case, it looked like Brady was going to walk off the cover, and beat the crap out of me

I remember how much fun i had with Madden 09 back in the day and wish i could find that type of fun again. I have to power through to try and have fun in 24. Hopefully someday we'll get a licensed NFL game worth a damn again

Thank you for another great video! What I have been looking for, is more of a break down of the best Madden gameplay video games to date. You channel, and many, many more, refer to great or good games based mostly on features. I agree features of any sports video game are important, but I would like to have a break down of the best gameplay football video game to date. Fun factor of playing the game is one of the most important aspects of any sports franchise and Madden is no different. Breaking down the physics engine used, the blocking, the passing, the running game and passing game. I'm currently playing Madden 25 on PC and I've forgotten how much fun this game was to play. The blocking, tackling physics of this game is so much better than what we see today. Defenders jumping the pass for a interception is something I actually miss. In hindsight, we took for granted just how good this and other Madden titles were. Thanks again!

I remember excitedly got my Xbone s on a black friday deal and buying doom (2016) and madden 18 with it. It was my first next gen console and I couldn't wait to see what next gen madden was like. Maybe 10 minutes into madden I ejected the disc and returned it the next day. The one and only video game I ever returned.

Literally screamed and had a small jump when I saw the thumbnail. Out of all the Maddens I've ever played, I can safely say I hated this one the most. Fuck this game with every fiber of my being.

Babe wake up softdrinktv posted

Even though Madden 18 sucked, it's super nostalgic for me because it was my first madden

Man i really miss having a good time playing a sports game. Nothing does it anymore

Still the best looking Madden graphically…you could argue Madden 19 too.

Great i love how bro stand up for the right thing hopefully one this pays off

This was the last Madden I got for Christmas and put hundreds of hours into it on Franchise but I heard the bad reviews of Madden 19 and the next Christmas I got Red Dead Redemption II, which is now my favorite game of all-time.

forstbite was introduced with battlefield bad company

The last madden game I bought was madden 14 and it was on sale in the PX for like $4. I just wanted a cheap ass game to play in the barracks and that’s exactly what I got. 10 years later and it seems NOTHING HAS CHANGED! It’s amazing that people keep supporting this. Blows my mind that they haven’t completely blown their sales.

I’d absolutely love to see you make a video about the fall off of Mario sports games. Seriously, they use to be so good in the GameCube and even Wii era, but started falling off a bit when the Wii and 3ds came, then completely fell off a cliff with the switch. I know they’re not really “regular” sports games, but I’d still love to see you cover them. Doesn’t even have to be the sports games as a whole, could just be a specific series like the Mario tennis series or Mario golf series.

And this is the last Madden I was able to tolerate. 😂

Hey I love your channel. I have a question what's the difference between madden 08 on the original Xbox/ps2 and madden 08 on xbox 360/ps3

Interesting perspective. I've been a football fan for 30 years but only recently began playing Madden with Madden 22, and although everything you say is probably true, I'm having a blast. I only play franchise mode

Hi Softdrinktv! i have a question, what is your opinion on madden 15?

Madden 18s ultimate team was GOATED honestly you still got money for challenges back then I had a crazy squad no pay in that game and in 19 18 was pretty good

Excellent video 👏👏👏

Need this type of video for the NHL series. Seeing how it's been a decade since we got a good, universally loved NHL game.

I still play Madden 18. I only play franchise mode, though.

Will be interested to see your opinion on that NCAA game EA is putting out over the summer as someone who has been following your channel for a while details on that game have been very little so far tho

This just made me wanna go back to madden 16 and 14 my favorite ones when I was younger and I didn’t notice how bad some things were in the games but they were better then where things were going in a lot of ways but also not as polished in some.

You should add some segments in these videos about madden modding community you could show that just some guys that are passionate do so much to make this game playable and add gameplay elements like fixing passing trajectory or speed on bullet passing to Dbs jumping like mad, franchise add ons for smarter trading and contract management and cap saving cuts of older vets. Or the madden franchise tool with an INCREDIBLE progression system allowing for undrafted gems like Purdy or puca or adding playcalling upgrades to the game and all the AI upgrades to making playing against AI somewhat more realistic. It would be a nice contrast to just showing the old games as it really shows it shouldn’t be a cost issue people can do this themselves EA just Obviously mismanaged the budget all these years on the wrong things and flashy stickers without substance. Love the videos! Just an idea!

You didn’t mention how Madden 19 finally added QB Signature Drop Backs. It’s why I sold my copy of 18 for 19. Took them how many years to finally do this? 🤭

Ya vids are always good I agree with every word 💯 you should make a video on Def Jam Fight For NY💯🔥

Are you still maybe interest in m13 for the ps vita?

I haven’t purchased a madden since madden 19. But in the past year I have purchased nfl 2k5 and madden 07 and those games cost me $20 total, yet I have more fun on those games than I’ve had on any madden title in recent memory. It’s just sad and pathetic at this point that current maddens are being beat out by nearly 20 year old games.

Question.. I have an xbox one, and I want to play the best madden there is on there. I wish i could play my old maddens from the 360 days, but i don't have a 360 anymore. The maddens that i have one xbox one are M25, M17, M19, M20, M21, M22, and M23. What ones of the games i have are the best?

Still waiting for a Blitz: The League III

Madden 17 was the last real competitive Madden game of the series. The players always ran the routes exactly the same way. You could practice using playmaker and it would always be the same every time. If you broke up the pass in time, it was incomplete. For online gameplay, this meant the better player wins. There was no DDA yet-- which meant no randomness. I made Top 200 in the world in Madden 17, Top 0.1% with a 200-118 record. When Madden 18 came along, that's when things changed. DDA was added, random mechanics, individuality on how players ran routes. It was no longer a game of checkers every time you played. It introduced **you did everything right all game with no turnovers and no mistakes, so let's make your player fumble** kind of mechanics. This made CF more inmersive, and it's only continued to become "better" as the series has progressed in that regard (there's air quotes because Madden 06-09 are still games after all 😂). For the competitive scene however, this was the dagger/downfall. The better player _didn't_ win every time. A lot of times actually, not even _half_ the time. Now the game of checkers had introduced let's say _wind knocks one of your pieces off the table_ or _your cat came and took one of the pieces_ (if you understand what I mean with the random DDA)... Imagine trying to play a real competitive game like that. You can't. SD, thanks for your videos. The nostalgia is appreciated 👍

The major issue I had with this one is DB’s at a certain threshold would break on the ball when their back was turned to the QB.

It was 13 for me... yeah 18 wasn't that good but I'll take it over 20,22 and 23

Sad thing is this was my first Madden (only football game I played before was NCAA Football 14).

Once NCAA football drops this year ohhh boy Madden about to fall off tremendously.

As Reggie Fils Amie once said “If it’s not fun. Why bother?”

The ragdoll like look, gave us some authentic hits, though. Genuine movement even though sometime it look kinda Jenkee, I preferred players toppling over instead of glitching through each other.

Hi SDTV, What are your thoughts on madden titles that allow the user to edit player ratings in franchise mode?

Could you do a video Tiger Woods or Madden for Wii?

Thank you for pointing out people point out the VC but not the actual game of NBA2k it’s wild but I’m a wwe fan as well so it’s nice to finally have #1 spot for once this year 😂

Would you ever make another football video game career mode, maybe another Sarasota Seamen career mode on a retro Madden, or perhaps Retro Bowl?

Hey soft drink , I recently came across your “the history of ncaa football “ video and toward the end you said you wouldn’t really be all that interested in a new game because it would simply be a madden reskin , and I wanted to know could you follow up with your previous video now knowing there will be a new game coming out this summer, I would like to hear your thoughts and hopes for the new game !

Honestly, madden 18 was the first madden I played hardcore. It’s always held a nostalgic feeling to me. Going back it’s obviously a worse game but I love going back and playing it.

I bought ESPN NFL 2K5 for the PS2 and I’m having a blast man..so disappointing that EA is so money hungry and non receptive to what true football fans really want in a game

This was my first football game ever, bought it on sale after watching the Eagles win the Superbowl. The Longshot legit taught me the basic rules of the sport

Excellent video in my book. But do you know what that music specifically is at 18:35 is. Can u like get me a link for it or something because ive been looking everywhere for it and i even tried to shazam it and it doesnt work 💀

For some reason madden 16, 17,18 bring nostalgia even though i barely played any of those games and just watched youtubers who did.

Can you please cover NFL Blitz Pro. I know it isn’t simulation football but maybe it could be a bundle video of the rise and fall of midway sports games ?

The music on these videos is top tier imo 💯🔥💪

Idk if its possible but madden should add john madden for presentation. Im sure they could use sound bites, old commentary or his tv broadcast.

I didn't even have to watch this to know it was spot on

Can you do madden 17? I wanna see what you say about it. I say the last playable Madden. Well at the time. New commentary and new movement and it felt a lil more alive in the stands department along with sideline. I loved that game (second madden I’ve owned and bought it when it came out. I was a 13 year old). But you should do every Madden or sports game to the new year 2025. Would love to watch the series. For the maddens you’ve done just ignore them.

Personally and I'm probably the only person who thinks this. But Madden 08 was the goat of madden games. So many cool features and the franchise felt less hollow. If I play madden these days I just go back to 08.

I still sit and wait for the Power Prod retrospective

Madden 09 on PS2 allowed you to save your defensive adjustments as audibles live on the field. That way no racing around to make the same play before people snap the ball. 09 might be better than 08 just for that feature. Ps2 had it right

It's funny that you bring a FIFA because it actually does have things that you would want to have in Madden like different animations when 2 players are jumping for a ball. FIFA also has tugging of the Jersey, which is something that would actually be pretty cool in a madden game when players are going for routes. Obviously you're going to have people who have unpopular opinions on their soccer series as of late but they put a lot more care into the game than they do with madden.

Madden 09 for the 360/PS3, Madden 15 XB1/PS4 and Madden 17 XB1/PS4 are the games you still need to do a retrospective on. I’m excited to hear what you say on Madden 09 the most out of the others. Madden 09 has a lot to love and a lot to hate. The vibe and modes of Madden 09 along with some nice animations is to love in this game. Now the hated things is the overall gameplay and the in game presentation imo.

What was the song used in the outro?

With Frostbite, it is like a Ferrari where it is quite capable when it is going when it it isn't going it isn't really going.

The same thing can be said about the NHL games as well. So many similarities for both series’, they bring an old feature back and it’s “Brand new” then it gets ruined with the horrible physics of the game. Franchise mode for both need a huge revival, but I doubt that will ever happen

Madden 06 on the 360 was my fav! loved it. just played it last night for the first time in idk 15 yrs. love how it runs. fast and good graphics. takes user skills.

This stuff just makes me so sad. I've been watching this struggle for hears, and nothing ever changes. It's the same story over and over again. Will it ever end?

I was a sophomore or junior in hs when the first madden mobile came out. It was too addicting 😂🔥

Man madden franchise injuries are crazy in 24! Every 3 plays a player is hurt

Can you please share the music you are using? It’s jamming

I definitely learned some things from this video, but also a little skeptical of content creator after his review of Madden24 where he said things such as the old recruiting system was more in depth than the new one (where on the old one one you just hit x three times and had an exact answer on what a player's overall, where is the new one, I create Excel sheets with different formulas for every position depending on how much I value each trait). Overall this is a solid video. Did not think the Madden 24 review was solid.

I liked the vision cone. You could look off vision watcher's especially with vick. Then we had hard core ranked matches

Longshot was a good story. I loved those characters. Face of the franchise has been alright but can improve

@softdrinktv you should do a vid on the last madden for 360

Thoughts on maximum football?

That outro song is fire, reminds me of something intense

Have you thought about sending one of your reviews to the NFL. Rather if they would watch it or not.

Dynamic weather is in Madden 24 when u put the snow on at 2:00 pm.

Maybe ill get back into football games when the new Ncaa comes out.

Id like to see a video on the broader NFL Blitz series, including NFL Blitz Pro.

I'm happy you don't blame the players for this, as telling NFL fans to avoid the only football game with NFL license is very difficult