Summary
The annual sports games ofMadden NFL,NBA 2K, andMLB: The Showwill always be compared for having the same blueprint. All three franchises benefit from die-hard sports fans getting the game each year. There are frequent complaints about stagnant game design, but the NBA and MLB games have benefited from marketing legends better thanMadden NFL.
The active players and current teams will always hold the greatest appeal, but the legends of each sport are massive selling points to put a game over the top. BothNBA 2KandMLB: The Showmake it clear that adding more legends and marketing them brilliantly can boost a game’s reputation.Maddenis trailing in this regard and needs to catch up to remain popular with longtime fans.
NBA & MLB Putting Legends Front & Center
Legends hold star power in most sports and add a dynamic to games beyond the current teams and players in each league.NBA 2Khas a lot to criticize, but the game franchise deserves credit for being the first to perfect the use of all-time greats. NBA icons Kobe Bryant andMichael Jordan have been marketedas cover stars with their own story modes replaying their greatest career performances.
MLB and NBA Prove Exciting Past Names Can Sell Sports Games
MLB: The Showstarted to adopt a similar mindset in recent years when hyping up the addition of Jackie Robinson or naming Derek Jeter as a cover athlete a few years into improving the rosters. Other legendary New York Yankees were added to the game this yearspecifically for a Derek Jeter story modemimicking the Jordan and Bryant concepts fromNBA 2K.
The respective game modes ofDiamond Dynasty forMLB: The Showand My Team forNBA 2Ksee users collecting or purchasing cards to put together a dream roster. Objectively great active and all-time players are involved in these modes, since it is designed purely as fantasy rosters crafted to compete against each other. These modes ensure you may use your favorite legendary players for a super team against users doing the same.
Madden NFL Falling Behind Its Competitors
The NFL wears the crown of most popular sport in the United States, which is great forMadden, and some believe that allows the video game to be more complacent than the othersports games with guaranteed success. The NFL version of Diamond Dynasty or My Team is called Madden Ultimate Team (M.U.T.) for those grinding to earn cards or purchasing them.
Some names like Michael Vick and Randy Moss make the mode worth playing, but they have fewer mega-superstars compared to the other games. The lack of depth for the legends added is just one issue that comes from howMaddenuses their legends.NBA 2Kfans can use most legends in various modes, whileMaddenjust allows the limited legends to be used in M.U.T. games to upset those who use fantasy drafts or all-time roster rebuilds in other sports games.
How Madden Can Catch Up With Other Sports Games
NBA 2KandMLB: The Showuses massive names like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, andDerek Jeter on game coverswhen they want to truly get the most bang for their buck by having such a household name.Maddenhaving a cover with someone like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would ensure the casual fan realizes how much the legends are involved.
Peyton and Eli Manning were added toMadden 24’s M.U.T. mode in April, but this was after the game was cycled out for many customers months after the NFL season ended.Madden 25will be the perfect time to add more reasons to care about the legendary figures.Tom Brady’s NFL retirement last summergives enough time for his best version from the New England Patriots days to be available.
Maddenshould be working hard to add as many legends as possible and marketing them in the same way asNBA 2KandMLB: The Showwith their communities. Other modes and aspects of the game can improve with a deeper legends list and the right names leading the way.
Madden NFL 24
WHERE TO PLAY
Achieve greatness in your NFL career with game-changing control thanks to FieldSENSE. Select your position, body type and customize your Superstar to complete objectives such as the NFL Combine to help determine your Draft order, level up to a 99 OVR, and build your legacy as you navigate all-new mini games and live player grading across a variety of positions and customizable avatars throughout the year.
