Card-based Madden Ultimate Team mode coming in January
by Justin McElroy 
{ Nov 5th 2009 at 10:06AM } 
Click to open the foil wrapper on a giant version.
Well, this is a rarity: A sports game mode that's too nerdy even for us. When "Madden Ultimate Team" mode comes to Madden 10 on 360 and PS3 for free in January, you'll collect packs of cards (or buy them via the in-game store) and use those cards to compose a fantasy team, customizing everything from your head coach and stadium to your plays and players. You can then pit your ultimate team against those of other players or the CPU. Think fantasy football mixed with ... well, let's be honest, Pokemon.
Wow guys, really? Collectible card game battling? We thought Madden players were supposed to be the cool ones, but you're getting into some really noogie-prone territory here.
Gallery: Madden Ultimate Team mode
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rocks @ Nov 5th 2009 10:21AM
ya know, not really a horrible idea...
INTERNET SUPERHERO @ Nov 5th 2009 10:32AM
Madden meets Pokemon?!?
I guess it's perfect for the fantasy football players. My only question is do the cards last longer than 1 season?
RudeboyJefe @ Nov 5th 2009 10:36AM
They did this with UEFA Champions League soccer game a couple years ago, it was actually a lot of fun
WRYYYYYY @ Nov 5th 2009 10:56AM
There's an MLB card game. I see no reason this can't work.
Samuel Vimes @ Nov 5th 2009 11:00AM
Brett Favre, I choose you!
2 slick @ Nov 5th 2009 11:01AM
they used to have the card games in madden, so I don't see why this is such a HUGE shock.
Reddrive @ Nov 5th 2009 4:03PM
I remember it pretty well. Didn't some cards unlock content?
MeanMrMustard @ Nov 5th 2009 11:08AM
This sounds awesome. I always liked collecting Madden cards back in the day. This is kind of a combination of that and the Fantasy Challenge mode that had on PS2 in 08. (Maybe 09 and 10, too... I jumped ship for ps3 at that point.)
Danthok @ Nov 5th 2009 11:10AM
Is this an in game monetary system for winning games/acheivements or is this a "here is my credit card number" system?
The reason I ask is the Y option on the bottom of the screen "Add Coins".
greg19735 @ Nov 5th 2009 11:41AM
they did this with FIFA 09 (last year) and it was a LOTTTT of fun. In fifa you actually played the game with the players you collect. it wasn't like a simmed game or anything silly. It also makes them TONS of money as they'll probably sell the packs for either in- game points earned by playing OR for MS points.
it was quite annoying because the gold packs in fifa were $1 or 5000 points. Playing very well you could get 700-1000 points per game, but a game took around 10 min and you had to buy contract cards to make sure your players kept playing for you, so that would end up costing you some of the coins when you played.
So basically it was about 1hour for 5000 points or $1. A lot of people chose the $1 method, including myself a couple of times.
OmegaWarrior @ Nov 5th 2009 11:50AM
What do you get when you cross Madden with Pokemon? Here's Michael Vick with the answer...
vikings8425 @ Nov 5th 2009 2:46PM
why you gotta hate, joystiiq?
this looks cool..
boredasfook @ Nov 5th 2009 3:49PM
This is exactly what ea did to FIFA 09 with ultimate team mode and man i spent a crap load of money on these cards on FIFA. Not so exited this is the first year i didn't buy a madden game and I'm standing my ground on that.