The back of the latest Madden box boasts significant upgrades, but the true joy of the game can be summed up in three words: Reggie! Reggie! Reggie! Never before in Madden's 17 years (17!) of production has a roster update made such a significant impact, but playing with the biggest star of this year's draft class is an absolute thrill. The main reason the New Orleans Saints' new running back, Reggie Bush—described by ESPN as a "once-in-a-generation player"—is so dominant is the new highlight stick. Using its powers, he can spin, duck, juke, slide, and all but disappear from a defender's grasp with a flick of the right analog stick. It makes for imaginative highlight-reel runs that'll have players watching replays with their jaws in their laps.
Of course, even the best backs would be average without lead blockers. Now, instead of blaming your 2.2-yards-per-rush average on shoddy AI blocking, the game lets you dig into the trenches. Before the snap, you can switch to a fullback, a tight end, or even a lineman, and open up running lanes. It sounds like work, but putting blitzing linebackers on their rumps as your halfback flashes by is beyond satisfying.