Why? Because this years Madden puts you in the game like never before. Now, in addition to controlling the bruisers on the field, youll be able to manage the suits in the front office, and the sloppy-shirted high school kid in the hot dog stand. Youll be able to sell sushi in San Diego and cheeseheads in Green Bay. Youll have full control, and IGN will help you put your newfound abilities to good use.

This year, weve distilled all our years of Madden experience (a decade plus) into one mega-guide. Whether youre seeking to learn more about the game of football, wondering how to build the Bengals into a dynasty, or just trying to figure out a killer play to use to beat your brother (who keeps using the Bucs... cheater), weve got your back.

In this guide, youll find: A breakdown of everything Madden has to offer in our Basics/Modes section. For beginners: Basic knowledge of the game of football. What do these formations mean? When should I call them? Tips to make you a better player. On offense and defense, we give you winning strategies, and explain every wrinkle on both sides of the ball. A Minicamp walkthrough that will help you complete the rigorous demands of the preseason. Franchise help. Weve broken down the large, complex Franchise system, and well help you win games... and put fans in the seats. Individual team information, including how to grow your franchise, key players, and most importantly, go-to plays that will give you the best shot at winning big. All the EA Bio and Madden Card information you desire.

Its our biggest Madden guide ever! Peruse these pages, then start your Hall of Fame career.

Unlock Madden Cards in Mini-Camp
Get Gold in Mini-Camp challenges to unlock Madden Cards. Cards directly relate to the challenges you complete. For instance, getting a Gold in the Ground Attack challenge will yield a Priest Holmes Card. Be sure to get Golds on all of the difficulty levels to collect all of the cards!

Earn Madden Cards With EA Bio
Gain levels in your EA Bio by completing specific challenges and playing other EA Sports title to unlock Madden Cards. Unlockable Cards include: Level 2: #204 Bingo! Cheat Level 4: #246 1990 Eagles Classic Team Level 6: #186 Steve Spurrier Coach Level 16: Superbowl XXXVIII Stadium

Play Football 101 to Earn Easy Tokens
One place to garner quick Tokens is Football 101. Run through all of the plays in your playbook to get a substantial helping of Tokens, which you can use to purchase Madden Cards.

Unlock Cheerleader/Pump Up Crowd Madden Cards
To unlock the Cheerleader/Pump Up Crowd Madden Cards, beat the Game Situation in Mini-Camp. The team who you complete the challenge with is the Cheerleader/Pump Up Card you will unlock.

Hint: Free Advertising
At the beginning of each week, check a game later than yours time-wise (Monday night being the best choice so after you play your game, the week doesnt end). Before playing your game, go to Owners Box and max out money on all advertising. Play your game and youll receive the attendence for the max advertising. When your game is over, go back to Owners Box and drop all advertising to $0. Go back to Play Week, uncheck the checked game and simulate the rest of the week. When you go back to Owners Box and check your balance sheet, the amount of overall spending for attendance will stay the same, but youll recieve the attendance boost.


Hint: Players Become Coaches
Great players that retire in franchise mode can return to be coaches. Wait a couple years after you favorite star retires, and he will show up in the coaching free agent list to be signed as an assisant coach or an head coach.


Hint: Avoid The Cap
The salary cap is pretty easy to manipulate. If you dont like a player for whatever reason, than re-negotiate his contract so that he doesnt get a signing bonus. Than work out a trade with another team and you wont take a hit against the salary cap for trading him.


Hint: Ttrade for Any Player
In Franchise Mode, Create a player (or 3, or 20) and set all of his attributes low so that his overall rating is 12. Sign him as a free agent for cheap then return to Create-A-Player and max out his stats. You can now trade this player to any team for the very best players in the NFL.

Hint: Cheap But Powerful Players
Create a player with all of his attributes at 50. Then go and sign him to your team for 7 years and $2 million, with no bonus. After signing him to your team, return to the create a player section and edit his attributes to 99. His salary wont change because he is already signed to your team, and you will have a top-notch player for minimal pay.