This year's Madden, particularly the Xbox 360 version, is exceptionally fantastic because it's everything its predecessor should've been. That's not to say Madden NFL 06 is a bad game, but its lack of features made it another casualty of the system's rushed launch. But thankfully, that game's a thing of the past! Madden NFL 07 is here, it plays exceptionally well, and it's a showpiece for the hardware.

There are plenty of new additions to the game, but my personal favorite is the ability to challenge plays. It's nothing new (EA included it in previous versions), but it was mysteriously absent in the first Madden for 360, so it's good to finally be able to throw the red flag when a player makes a catch out of bounds or when the ball slips out after someone's knee has touched the ground. Again, it's not something new and revolutionary, but its inclusion dramatically alters the gameplay.

On the field, the game's everything you'd expect from a Madden title and more. You can bomb it down the field and watch as the receiver makes an impossible grab, or pour over strategies in order to outthink your opponent. Of course, if you don't know what the hell you're doing, you can always ask Madden and the big guy will churn out a play that he feels is best given your situation.

Next to challenging plays, my second favorite returning feature is QB Vision, but there are plenty more offensive highlights. Madden 07 includes Lead Blocker Control, a system by which you can switch between players in the offensive line in order to create holes for the ball carrier, so as soon as it's snapped, you can briefly switch to a lineman, knock someone on their ass, then switch to the running back and burst through the hole. It's a neat feature that adds a much needed dynamic to the game, though you don't necessarily need to rely on it in order to win, which is why it's all the more dangerous. If you mix things up, your opponent won't know what hit them.

Also new are the player-specific animations, which appear to be all the rage with this year's sports titles. Tiki Barber, for example, holds the ball differently than most running backs, and EA managed to capture that and include it in the game. Furthermore, there's the all new Highlight Stick, a right analog-controlled system that lets you create based on the type of back you're controlling. Basically, a little guy will be able to juke and perform all sorts of crazy maneuvers while a much larger runner will just barrel over everyone. Similar to Lead Blocker Control, it allows for more creativity.

I definitely think this is the best Madden to come along in a long time, particularly when it comes to visuals. The game's a joy to behold in HD. Sweat runs down arms, jerseys look realistic, and you can see individual blades of grass. It's hot stuff for sure, but two things bother me. First, the game cycles through the same cut scenes. The camera loves to pan back and forth across a row of players and it gets tired fast. Second, the radio commentary from Madden NFL 06 is back and it's still very annoying. EA maintains that it adds a new perspective, but I'm a bigger fan of two guys calling the game from a "booth." Certainly, with the Xbox 360 hardware, it's possible to achieve the "next generation" of videogame commentary.

One area that doesn't need improvement is the off the field activities. Unlike its predecessor, Madden 07 comes packed with all sorts of cool things to do beginning with the Superstar Mode, which lets you take a college football player into the draft and all the way to, well, the hall of fame. You'll take part in mini camp and run the 40, hit weights, take IQ tests, get drafted, practice various positions until the game assigns one that suits you, and then live out an entire NFL career. Speaking to the press, hiring and firing agents, and signing multi-million dollar deals are all common practices, but you'll also be gunning for Super Bowl rings. And, after all is said and done, you MIGHT make it to the Hall.

Next to that there's Franchise Mode, and what's interesting about it this year is the inclusion of what EA calls a Madden Gamer Level. As you play, you can track your progress, earn points depending on your performance, and put them up for grabs against the AI or another person. Franchise modes have always been solitary affairs, so I'm glad that someone's moving away from that.

Journalists have had this game for almost two weeks now and I've seen a few complaints pop up on message boards. They may have valid concerns, but the bottom line is Madden 07 plays a mean game of football. End of story. The nitpicking is fine, and I'm sure there will be some NFL 2K purists that'll go for the jugular (they're eternally bitter), but unless the game is ridden with bugs (and that doesn't appear to be the case), then their criticisms won't really matter. Madden's here, it's good, and you need it.