Madden NFL 07 - DS Mooch

The all-new lead blocker controls allow you, for the first time ever, to throw the perfect block to create a hole in the opposition defence, thus letting you gain a huge advantage should you get it right. 'Neat-o!' as they say. Player-specific running moves are featured too, allowing you to elude or knock down defenders with new jukes and power moves. So it's massive in America (well, duh!) but still - after all these years - something of an acquired taste over the pond in Europe, but bless EA and its little tube socks for making things simple for those not entirely au fait with the finer points of this sport. Rookies are directed toward the 'Ask Madden' button in-game. If the old fella can't advise you of the best play to make, no-one can. The controls can be a little overwhelming at first - there are many different jinks and moves to make - and all with just one controller. However, once into the swing of things, and the stop/start nature of the sport, NFL 07 gets under the skin. Its plethora of game modes signals great longevity, and the chance to 'be' an NFL superstar on and off the field is within your reach in Madden NFL 07. Americans still say things like 'Go for it!' don't they'.

To sum up, Madden NFL 07 is definitely the one to get if you're looking for an authentic, deep game of American Football. No other publisher gets near the detail and playability of these games, so do yourself a favour, stop faffing about, and take the plunge.