It’s not surprising to see Madden show up on the PSP. After all, what current system hasn’t seen at least one version of the game? What is surprising is that it took so long for the game to finally make its way to Sony’s handheld system. So, was it worth the wait? Well, does John Madden like Turducken?

Madden NFL 06’s visuals don’t pack quite the punch of the console versions, but it certainly gets close to it. Players are detailed and animate very smoothly during games. You’ll even see multiple animations for dives, jukes, tackles, and even an idle animation or two between plays. Stadiums also look nice and are easily identifiable. The only real downside are the frame-rate issues that pop up almost every play. These issues actually become a major distraction later on as the game suffers from numerous load times that become annoying and kill the game’s rhythm.

Audio, on the other hand, is extremely well done – which actually came as a surprise. Going into the game, I had already prepared myself for the inevitable return of EA Trax, a feature that has become a minor annoyance for me. What I wasn’t expecting was the amount of commentary that made it into the game. Granted, John and Al aren’t as verbose as they are on the consoles, but it’s more than we’ve ever heard in a Madden handheld, so the novelty of that alone is pretty cool. On the downside, the few phrases that the duo does use are a tad overused, wearing away the novelty of the commentary. Other ambient sounds, namely crowd noises, help to give the game an added bit of authenticity.

Gameplay-wise, Madden NFL 06 feels more like the earlier PS2 editions of the game rather than the current versions. New elements like the Hit Stick and Vision Cone have been removed (due to the PSP’s lack of a second analog stick). However, nearly everything else has been retained which, in my opinion, actually makes the handheld version more fun than the console versions.

Madden NFL 06 features nearly all of the console version’s features, including Exhibition, Season, Franchise, and Multiplayer modes. Since football isn’t exactly meant for quick games, a “Save and Quit” option is included that let’s you pause the action when you have to quit. 18 mini-games, 10 of which are PSP exclusives, are also available for those times when you know you won’t be able to squeeze in more than a play or two. This option also comes in handy when you begin to see your PSP’s battery running low – something that happens quite a bit.

As previously mentioned, the game’s only major flaw are the excessive load times that pop up everywhere. Before the game even starts, you’ll have to go through at least three long load times, and then face multiple short ones between plays. The transition from the play-calling screen and gameplay screens has a quick 2-3 second spike of lag every time that throws off the game’s flow. If you’ve been around long enough to remember Madden’s first year online, the spouts of lag between plays is similar to what were seen while playing online then.

One feature that is sure to get a lot of use from hardcore Madden players is the ability to link up the PSP version with the PS2 version, allowing you to synchronize rosters. This allows you to take your teams on the road with you. You can also take an entire week’s schedule from your PS2 Franchise and play it on your PSP. Once you’ve played the game, you can then dump it back into your PS2 profile.

As is the case every year, Madden NFL 06 is only as difficult as you make it. Every adjustment slider, from A.I. to penalties, is present in the Options menu and can be adjusted to fit what you’re looking for in a game. On the normal settings, the game is pretty tough, but rarely becomes cheap. You’ll always run into a questionable play or see a player pull off a feat that defies physics, but those are issues most Madden players have already come to accept.

Controls are very responsive, though the running game does tend to be a little too powerful. The momentum-based running found in the console version of the game doesn’t make it over to the PSP, so running the ball is actually very easy. It’s not uncommon to break big runs and average five-plus yards a play with even the worst backs in the league. The removal of the passing cone, something that should actually please some longtime fans, isn’t missed at all. Instead, the precision passing has been tightened up, so it is very easy to lead receivers with a gentle flick of the analog stick.

For years players have wanted a good handheld version of Madden. While it is far from perfect, the franchise’s first outing on the PSP is a surprisingly good one. There are still a number of technical issues to be worked out, but so far things are looking bright for Madden fans on the go.