Summary

• Some Madden games have received lower review scores over the years, showing a trend towards less favorable reception.
• Madden NFL games are generally well-received, with positive from football enthusiasts old and new.
• The top 20 best Madden NFL games are ranked based on reviews and Metacritic scores highlighting the series' shining moments.

Sports video games are a major part of the video game community, and this is especially true for the popular Madden series of football games. With yearly releases that line up with the real-world NFL seasons, it can be hard to make every entry a touchdown. Naturally, some titles in the franchise have done better than others, although overall, the Madden NFL games are generally received with positive reception. As football is one of the most popular sports in the world, it's not surprising that these yearly games continue to be popular purchases.

Some Madden games are well-polished, well-thought-out, and incredibly fun titles for both football experts and newcomers alike. Unfortunately, the games struggle with feeling stale and microtransactions make some Madden games feel more focused on making money than providing a genuinely fun experience. Recent years have seen a general trend towards lower review scores. Looking at an overview of the twenty best Madden NFL games ranked helps showcase where the series has shone the brightest.

This list is based on a combined look at reviews and Metacritic scores to determine which games are the best.

Madden NFL 06 (Released August 2005)

Metacritic Score 74

Madden NFL 06 features the Eagles' Donovan McNabb on the cover. This game is notable for introducing some unique mechanics into the series, with gameplay like Madden NFL precision ing, QB Vision Control, and the series staple Superstar mode/Career mode. The game was also a launch title for the Xbox 360, suitably heralding the franchise's entry into the new generation. Madden NFL 06 sits at a 74 on Metacritic, with many reviews praising the game's innovation.

Madden NFL 20 (Released June 2019)

Metacritic Score 76

Although Madden NFL 20 was still a satisfactory game, it did not do as well as some of its predecessors. Patrick Mahomes landed the cover and pulled off a rare feat by winning the Super Bowl in the same year. The game itself might not have been a Super Bowl winner, coming in at a solid but comparatively modest 76 on Metacritic, but it had its merits. Most notable was the QB1 career campaign, which allowed a player to experience college, the pros, and more, working to improve upon an already successful Superstar Mode.

Madden NFL 12 (Released August 2011)

Metacritic Score 78

Madden NFL 12 had some interesting new features, such as an auction-style bid during free agency for the Franchise Mode, and it presented the chance to trade for draft picks. That said, the game lacked any truly new modes and felt too similar overall to many of the games that had come before, giving it a stale feel. Although a Metacritic score of 78 isn't a bad score, it also showed that the untouchable success that Madden NFL had seen in the early 2000s was disappearing.

Madden NFL 19 (Released August 2018)

Metacritic Score 80

While trying to come up with ways to raise their ratings again, Madden NFL 19 began the process of using "real player motions" in the game to simulate more of an actual football game feel. The mechanics were driven by stats and performances of real athletes, which led to players making cuts and performing blocks that lined up with how they looked in real life.

The game also made the move to include a continuation of the Longshot story mode from the previous game, which isn't something a lot of sports franchises do with their respective story/career modes. The game earned an 80 on Metacritic, but various AI issues made fans less receptive.

Madden NFL 07 (Released August 2006)

Metacritic Score 80

Madden NFL 07 was released as a launch title for both the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, and it served as a wonderful introduction for many players who were new to football games as well as the new consoles. Featuring running back Shaun Alexander on the cover, the game brought some new additions to the series, including lead blocker control, spins to avoid tacklers, and Madden changes like stringing together evasive moves. The game received a positive reception, landing at an 80 on Metacritic.

Madden NFL 25 (Released August 2013)

Metacritic Score 80

As the year 2025 looms closer, 2013's Madden NFL 25 is an increasingly confusing title, and it will be interesting to see how the 2025 game is distinguished from it. In 2013, Madden NFL 25 was released as a way to honor the silver anniversary of the NFL's official video game series.

The game tried new things with the presentation, including things like the use of social media, but struggled with several glitches. That said, the game received a Metacritic score of 80 with praise for the improvements made to the franchise mode and the inclusion of legends like Joe Montana and Barry Sanders.

Madden NFL 15 (Released August 2014)

Metacritic Score 81

Madden NFL 15 took a lot of the key features that worked for earlier games and leaned into them to build a solid title. It featured good graphics, a soundtrack that included a lot of diversity and impressive quality, and its presentation was well done. The game was seen as EA looking to improve upon issues, although it was not without its faults with some lackluster commentary and the removal of online team play. Last-gen versions also didn't work well, with the development having been focused on newer systems. Still, it was well-received overall, with an 81 score on Metacritic.

Madden NFL 13 (Released August 2012)

Metacritic Score 81

There are a few historic caveats regarding this game, including it being the final Madden released on the Wii and the only one for the Wii U and PlayStation Vita. As soon as it was booted up, some fans were upset as the popular EA Trax was gone, meaning that there wasn't any licensed music in Madden NFL 13. Instead, the menus were filled with instrumentals, which did not fit with the football vibe and turned away many fans. The gameplay remained solid enough to earn an 81 on Metacritic, however, and the Connected Careers mode let players combine Franchise and Superstar mode into one place if they wanted.

Madden NFL 17 (Released August 2016)

Metacritic Score 82

A year before Brady was on the cover, his teammate Rob Gronkowski was given the honor. By this point, those who had been playing the game for over a decade had noticed that Madden was becoming stale, with things not changing all that much in of gameplay. So, EA Sports looked to make a few alterations to improve things in Madden NFL 17, including adding the ground game mechanism to balance things out. The developer also made franchise mode a bit deeper and worked on the defensive side of things. The game earned an 82 on Metacritic, even if its commentary and presentation missed the mark.

Madden NFL 18 (Released August 2017)

Metacritic Score 82

Right off the bat, Madden NFL 18 stood out because of Tom Brady, its cover athlete, and a new G.O.A.T. Edition that gave players early access. In a notable addition to the series, this was the first installment to feature the Frostbite engine that is still used today.

This game also marked the debut of the Longshot mode, which let players control a quarterback's career through high school, college, the combine, and eventually the NFL. Some reviewers considered it a great addition, and it helped to earn the game an 82 on Metacritic despite the first implementation of the Frostbite engine having awkward animations and issues.