Quarterbacking your favorite team can be an exercise in frustration — if they aren't great or if you are crazy enough to throw into coverage. Quarterbacks who don't have a cannon arm or aren't precise passers need to be careful because the defense has stiffened. No longer will you walk in and drop 70 points on the computer playing something other than rookie.

You can also check out owner's mode if you want to add some him to your Madden experience. You can track finances, upgrade a stadium, move a team, hire a scout and more. Too bad it's not robust enough just to play in this mode. One issue is that anyone who loves the recruiting feature in NCAA won't find as much depth to the prospects portion of Madden.

Superstar mode hasn't changed much. You can create your dream player and do all you can to get him to the Football Hall of Fame. The one really interesting addition is that you can select a rookie and be that player until the end of his career.

Finally, there are some minigames that are fun the first time around. You can create a team, stadium, etc., but you'll get a pile of no-name players. It's not exactly like adding the Houston Texans and getting a supplemental draft full of experienced players.

• Graphics: The collision detection seems to have improved, and that might be directly related to the improved animation. In the past, a player would be in the middle of an animation and lose some control. Players move more realistically in the '08 version and allow for more control.

A few interesting animations were carried over to this year's version, particularly diving into the corner of the end zone. However, one quirky addition is that when a player occasionally scores a touchdown, he slides into the end zone. It doesn't seem possible to run full speed into the defensive line and then go into a slide. Another issue is the blur of players who might be standing outside of the line of view. It seems like a graphical bandage.

• Audio: This is the biggest issue with "Madden 08." The ESPN radio announcer is the worst because he sounds like he is announcing in a tunnel. There is nothing unique about the commentary. After a few games, you start to hear the same things over and over. Marshall Faulk gives completely useless insight into the games. Why is this still called "Madden" if you don't get Madden on every play?

Why not add the Monday Night Football team? I'd be ecstatic to take the NCAA Football commentary team. Actually, my uncle and a few of his buddies could offer better color commentary.