The game can be played as a single game of football, an entire season, or head-to-head using the DS’ built-in wireless connectivity. The season mode is basically a series of individual games with stats and won-loss records tracked as there is not much in the way of team management features and there is no way to continue play across multiple seasons. The game also includes the Madden Cards feature found in the console versions of the game. By making big plays on the field you can earn cards that can be basically used as cheats by giving a special boost or rule change in your favor or against your opponent’s.

When you take everything into account, Madden NFL is a decent football game for a portable but falls short when compared against the standards already set by the series. Perhaps the game was rushed to make the DS’s launch window, but whatever the reason it feels as if less effort went into this game than is typical of Madden games. If you have to have a portable football game in your library, then it will fit the bill. If you’re looking for true Madden quality, you’re better off waiting until next year.

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 68%.  You may want to stick to the GBA version of the game this year for your mobile football needs and hope EA Sports puts a better effort into Madden NFL 2006 DS.

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