The three big home versions have done the franchise proud, how does the PSP version hold up to its bigger brothers?  

 

As with all the other versions, you have the huge Franchise mode where you can either just play the games and let the CPU do all of the hard work or be more involved in the managerial aspects of the games, hiring and training of members and striking new deals. This mode is slightly less involved than the PS3 outing but this is understandable due to the PSP’s small nature. Rather than the great Superstar mode on the other consoles we now have the Superstar Challenge, here you choose to play certain games from last years season and try to match the amazing feats of sporting skills that your chosen player created in real life, simply put, score a goal and come back from a huge point deficit. Whilst it is good to have another mode in the game, you have lost the great ability to create your superstar. 

 

 

The PSP version does a lot to fit all of the graphics onto its tiny screen and this is where the problems begin. The characters are quite blocky and grainy and for some reason I was unable to find a camera angle that made the game playable when compared to the big screen versions, the views are either too close to see your surrounding team or too far away to make out the details. What helps though is that there is a good mixture of body shapes on the field, the large mountains that are the blockers, the muscled quarterbacks and the receivers all have their own look and feel when controlling them so it is easier to distinguish who is who. Whilst the looks are not great, the animations are top.

 

This being my first Madden PSP experience I was expecting a lot more. There is not any connectivity to continue a franchise on the road from your PS3 which is a real shame as other games in the past have accommodated this. In keeping with the accessibility of the games, Madden PSP also has a Rookie Mode, this simplifies the game controls, receivers will flash green if open for a pass and button prompts will appear over players to tell you what to press. This will help newcomers get used to the controls but the home console versions have carried this off much better.

 

The online mode is also a disappointment in the gaming stakes, if you get a good connection you will enjoy a fast paced game, however about 90% of games I have played so far have been quite laggy when compared to the Wii and PS3 versions, this is a shame as the online game increases the fun and lastability.

 

As expected the PSP version is smaller than the home versions, but the awkward camera and poor online functions spoil this great game. If you looking for the single player option then this may be worth a try, but if you own any of the home consoles, go for them. The PSP is in that ever awkward place of being a handheld but wanting the power of a home console. This game sits right in the middle, it has the great franchise mode but it needs more small game modes for a better pick up and play experience.