Madden NFL 26 Review

This Veteran Has Something To Show You

HIGH Franchise is once again the centerpiece of the Madden banquet table.

LOW The load times are unbearable for this console generation.

WTF Even digitally, the NY Giants seem lost and confused.

Please allow me to pull back the curtain on how things run at GameCritics headquarters. For years, our esteemed editor has questioned higher scores when a corresponding review indicated otherwise, and for years, I pushed back, arguing that the whole often exceeded the sum of its parts. While I stand behind every review I’ve ever published, from now on, I plan to approach scoring a little differently.

Madden NFL 26 is the reason why.

Last year, I awarded Madden 25 an 8 out of 10, citing steady, if minor improvements — and by and large, it was a good, solid football sim. After playing Madden NFL 26, I no longer want to see incremental upgrades. Nor do I want to review more ‘solid’ games. I want to see more of this.

Madden NFL 26 is the revelation football enthusiasts have wanted, breaking the cycle of minor fixes to deliver a monumental leap in immersion, atmosphere, and controls, and the largest refinement came where it was needed most — the criminally-overlooked Franchise Mode. After years of wondering if EA was pushing all users toward the microtransaction-focused Ultimate Team, it’s clear the developers listened to fan feedback, because Franchise feels like the heart of Madden once more.

For starters, the updated week-to-week tactical approach lets gamers design strategies on the fly, tailored to each opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. In turn, a new XP-based progression system personalizes the player development process, and the “Wear & Tear” mechanic (borrowed lovingly from College Football) forces users to make tough decisions about how to rest stars and manage rosters across a long season.

Another key development was the introduction of coaching archetypes, which allows players to choose whether to lead their team as an Offensive Guru, Defensive Genius, or Development Wizard. Each path provides unique skill trees and gameplay benefits, deepening the strategic investment. Combine this with enhanced scouting, revamped menus, and a more robust broadcast package, and Franchise has become a destination rather than an afterthought. Gamers asked for it, and EA delivered in a big way.

This realism is matched by the gameplay, which is both quicker and more realistic than before. Madden NFL 26 strikes a delicate balance between accuracy and responsiveness, creating a pace that is fast enough to excite without delving into arcade territory. The much-hyped “QB DNA” system brings more personality to quarterbacks and receivers by amplifying pocket passing/scrambling tendencies, receiver route discipline, and overall situational awareness, so the results better reflect what fans see on Sundays.

Defensive play has also improved, albeit not by the same leaps and bounds. Still, Madden’s AI shows more intelligent formation reads and more realistic animations for blocking and tackling. A lot of this will be missed by the casual player, but there’s a sense of fluidity and realism that enhances the immersion in each session.

One thing sports fans always seem to do is compare the current Madden series with the beloved NFL 2K titles, especially when it comes to broadcast quality, Well, Madden NFL 26 feels like a true primetime production with unique looks for Thursday night, Sunday afternoon, and Monday night football, right down to lighting that shifts with the time of year. Maybe the commentary isn’t quite as memorable as the first time we heard Dan Stevens on our Dreamcasts, but there’s little repetition or inaccuracy.

In turn, entertaining cutaways and postgame coverage match the old TV spirit of NFL 2K, delivering trivia, highlights, and halftime visuals for authenticity and immersion. It’s been a long time, but this year’s Madden finally captures the gravitas and flair of the NFL’s expanded weekly product.

Even Madden Ultimate Team (MUT), long criticized for its money-hungry grind, benefits from smarter (if subtle) quality-of-life updates. Yes, the annoying pay-to-win structure remains, so MUT is still best suited for those comfortable with its monetization design. However, it’s also more welcoming to those who want to dabble before opening the wallet, which is a step in the right direction.

Superstar Mode has made a significant move forward by revisiting basic RPG-like elements. Maybe this isn’t exactly “Sunday Stadium Skyrim,” but this notably revamped mode now features career chapters, evolving player relationships and ongoing customization, showing an honest attempt to make the journey feel more personal. Though it still doesn’t quite reach the depth of Franchise, nor does it dabble in melodrama like the NBA 2K series, EA’s attempts at storytelling no longer feel half-baked, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s efforts.

Also, it should be noted that graduating seniors from the College Football series can be imported and drafted in Madden 26. This is handled well, and it’s enjoyable to watch a dominant college player adapt to the improved talent facing him in the pro ranks. It’s also a nice way to enhance the value of owning both titles, since there is no limit to how many created superstars can find their way into the hallowed halls of Madden NFL.

Even though readers probably know I’m about to laud this title with a stellar score, I do need to call out one odd, unexpected complaint — loading times. Both offline and online, I found myself staring at loading screens for far longer than I should with my Xbox Series X. Online, I’m willing to forgive these delays in the short term, as servers were understandably packed at the time of review. That said, jumping from mode to mode shouldn’t be timed by an hourglass. EA will hopefully patch this soon, if they haven’t already.

So, to bring this discussion full circle, Madden NFL 26 is a shining example of why it’s important to read full reviews, not just scores. Why? Even when discussing two games in a series made one year apart, there’s a world of difference between last year’s 8 and this year’s 9.5. Those waiting for Madden to finally make true forward progress can exhale, because the moment has come.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Disclosures: This game is published by EA Sports and developed by EA Orlando. It is available on XBO/X/S, PC, SW2, and PS4/5. This game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the XBX. Approximately 13 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was not completed. Approximately 4.5 hours of play were devoted to online multiplayer.

Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E. This is a realistic representation of full-contact professional football. Some tackling animations and injuries may concern some parents.

Colorblind Modes: Colorblind modes are available in the Game Settings menu.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: Madden NFL 26 features subtitles, speech-to-text, and numerous tactile feedback features in all modes. (See examples above) The game is easily playable without sound and is fully accessible.

Remappable Controls: No, the game’s controls are not remappable.