Madden NFL 10 Review

The Final Two-Minute Warning for PS2 Football Fans

By 2009, most of the gaming world had shifted to the HD era of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. But EA Sports knew there was still a loyal crowd holding tight to their PlayStation 2s, especially when it came to the Madden NFL franchise. Madden 10 for PS2 marked the end of an era—it’s not the flashiest, newest, or deepest Madden out there, but it still carries the grit and heart of the classic football sim gameplay that defined sports gaming for nearly a decade.

Gameplay – 8/10

If you’ve played Madden 09 on PS2, you’ll feel right at home with Madden 10. There are no sweeping gameplay changes—this is very much a refined version of what came before. The core mechanics remain solid: running feels responsive, passing is tight (if sometimes a little easy), and defense is aggressive. The Hit Stick and Truck Stick are still satisfying tools, and play-calling remains deep for a last-gen title.

One new addition worth noting is the Fight for the Fumble mechanic—a button-mashing mini-game that activates during loose ball scrambles. It adds some unpredictability, but feels a little out of place on the slower PS2 engine and can grow tiresome fast.

AI improvements are subtle but present—quarterbacks make smarter throws, and defenders react more naturally to developing plays. Still, the PS2’s age shows, especially with occasional clunky animations or scripted feeling sequences.

Graphics – 6/10

By PS2 standards, Madden 10 looks decent, but compared to the newer console versions, it’s showing its age. Player models are a bit boxy, and faces are nearly indistinguishable. Animations can be stiff, and clipping is a frequent offender.

That said, stadiums are still detailed and lively, weather effects hold up fairly well, and the presentation remains clean and functional. The framerate holds steady even during intense moments, which is a plus.

Audio – 7/10

Gus Johnson and Cris Collinsworth handle commentary, though their chemistry is inconsistent. The commentary is mostly recycled, but it still brings a realistic broadcast feel to the game. The soundtrack is standard EA fare—rock and hip-hop tracks you’ll either tune out or grow to appreciate.

Crowd reactions, on-field sounds, and player chatter add to the immersion, but nothing here is groundbreaking.

Franchise & Features – 8/10

This is where Madden 10 on PS2 still shines. Franchise Mode remains robust, offering full control of team finances, player progression, and even draft scouting. You can still relocate teams, play through multiple decades, and micromanage your squad.

Superstar Mode is present but largely unchanged—it’s a fun diversion, but the lack of depth and personality keeps it from standing out. Mini-camp drills and classic Madden Moments return, offering some variety outside regular season games.

No online support hurts in the long run, but for couch co-op or single-player sessions, it still has legs.

Verdict: A Solid Swan Song for PS2 Gridiron Fans

Madden NFL 10 for the PlayStation 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel—and it doesn’t need to. It knows its audience and serves them well with one last shot of satisfying, no-nonsense football simulation. The dated visuals and lack of innovation might turn off newer players, but for those still running plays on a DualShock 2, this is a solid, if unspectacular, final drive.

Final Score: 7/10
Old-school football fans still holding onto their PS2s won’t be disappointed—just don’t expect next-gen fireworks.