Madden NFL 06 | Nintendo GameCube

Madden NFL 06 wants you to live large as a superstar.

Madden NFL 06 gets under center and goes deep with new gameplay features and even a little of your virtual parents' DNA thrown in for good measure.

Features * New QB Vision Control: Use the C Stick to find open receivers heading for paydirt. * New QB Precision Placement: Lead a receiver to an open area, throw away from a defender and more. * NFL Superstar mode: Create a Superstar and guide his life on and off the field. Choose an agent, earn one of 60 personas and live the superstar life. * Enhanced Broadcast Presentation: Authentic new camera angles, improved graphics, and new commentary and cut-scenes that provide the look and feel of a real NFL broadcast. * All-New Truck Stick Control: Deliver big hits on offense to break tackles and pancake defenders.

A New Vision

The Madden NFL franchise has tweaked its passing game with the new QB Vision Control. Your quarterback now scans the field, looks off defenders and can make perfect throws within the QB's unique field of vision.

When you drop back for a pass, the quarterback's "Vision Cone" appears. This cone is his radar, essentially, of the area in which he has the best chance of completing a pass. You move the C Stick to change where the QB is looking. The cone's size depends on the quarterback's talent rating. You can look one way to draw the defense toward the receiver you're looking at. Then at the last second, you can move your Vision Cone and throw to a totally different receiver.

You do have the option to turn off the Vision Control system and opt for a traditional passing system. Vision Control, however, lends a new air of realism to the game and rewards a QB for being talented and not just lucky.

Another passing addition is the new Precision Passing system, which lets you strategically aim the ball. If your receiver is being double covered, you can choose to throw the ball closer to the ground or lead the receiver to the left or the right. Precision Passing helps keep the ball out of the cornerback's hands and lets you develop a strategy to make the most of your routes.

Be a Superstar

In addition to the traditional Franchise mode, EA Sports introduces the new NFL Superstar mode. The mode takes you from birth (literally) to the end of your career. Along the way, you'll get drafted, hire an agent, pick up endorsements and movie rolls and aspire for national stardom.

When you create a player, you choose your parents (couples are randomly displayed), and their DNA helps determine which type of player you'll be. The parents have IQs, professions and character strengths. You can also customize your player's looks.

After you determine your parental units and corresponding position for your player, you get drafted and put on a squad. To improve your skills and get drafted higher, you can show off what's in your noodle by taking a short IQ test. You'll also hire an agent. If you're expected to be a high draft pick, top agents will knock down your door. Otherwise, you'll have to take what you can get.

Once you get drafted and settled into your apartment, you can further customize your player by taking a trip to the barbershop or tattoo parlor. Don't forget your cell phone. Your mentor, former Denver running back Terrell Davis, will call you up and guide you through some of the features of Superstar mode.

Depending on how you guide your Superstar, from Draft Pick to Movie Star to the ultimate goal, Hall-of-Fame, you'll unlock up to 60 different personas that reflect your status. You can retire at any time, but if you want to play out your career to the very end, you can stay on the field for up to 20 seasons.

Great Gameplay Returns

Most of the features and techniques from Madden NFL 2005 remain in the newest version, including the hard-hitting Hit Stick. Now you can use that power on offense. The Truck Stick lets your ball carrier or blockers deliver jarring hits to would-be tacklers. The presentation and replays of big hits are sure-fire crowd-pleasers.

Bottom Line

The Superstar mode is fine, but statheads will take a pass on it and go straight to Franchise mode.