'Madden '09' a collector's item

• By RICH LOUP
• 2theadvocate.com Sports Editor
• Published: Aug 22, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Slick and sharp are probably the best words to describe the visual feel of Madden NFL 2009.

As for the gameplay itself, fluidity is a good adjective because player movements are much smoother this time around.

To commemorate the 20th release of the Madden football title, EA Sports is selling a Collector's Edition this year. The CE bundle contains Madden '09, Head Coach 09 and a hodge-podge of NFL highlights and Madden visuals.

Gamers can also buy Madden 09 and Head Coach separately, but Head Coach doesn't hit the stores as its own release until Sept. 5.

Here's a breakdown of some of the features of the Madden CE version:

TRAINING WHEELS: A new interactive feature customizes your skill level on the game. Upon your first load of Madden, you're prompted to take the virtual trainer test in rush offense, pass offense, rush defense and pass defense.

This battery of tests determines how the degree of difficulty for your CPU opponent and also dishes out a Madden IQ score. Your IQ rises and drops with your performance in a real game. You can work on your flaws by hitting the Virtual Training Center and practicing the Madden test skills as much as you like.

For the record, my IQ reflects the abilities of the real-life New Orleans Saints. I'm great at offense (especially the pass), but I can't stop anybody.  My complaint with the Institute, though, is that I haven't seen a rise in my defensive abilities despite going through more test reps. Maybe I'm just a slow learner.

ROUTE TO SUCCESS: The receivers' passing routes are much, much easier to see than last year. It's as if the Madden designers put in a bold tag to define the pass-route lines on the field. NCAA developers should take note because its 09 routes are harder to see when placed against a sun-lit field.

I'M AT YOUR COMMAND: Player movement is smoother and faster, as mentioned earlier. What's neat is that there are suggested button commands beside the player on the field you control (i.e. -- "RB" for Power Move). That's a big help to newbies or less-skilled users (especially a defensive patsy like me).

REWIND THE TAPE: If you get burned, throw an interception or just didn't like the way the previous play went, Madden gives you the option to hit a button and literally "Rewind" the play.

Like a DVR or a VHS tape, the action that just happened rewinds, you go back to the line of scrimmage and the down, distance and line of scrimmage revert to their states before the play began. You set the option before kickoff for how often you want to use it in the game.

While the visual of the literal rewind is cool, the feature itself is lame. It's for people who can't accept that bad or random things happen in competition, especially against the CPU. EA needs to put its own Rewind on this and get rid of it.