John Madden Football (1988)

Video Games

John Madden Football (1988) is a football video game originally released for the Apple II, in 1988 following the success of Earl Weaver Baseball. It was later ported to MS-DOS and the Commodore 64. It was followed by the 1990 Sega Genesis video game of same name, and went on to become the yearly Madden NFL game series. It is sometimes called Madden ’88 or Madden ’89 to distinguish it from later games in the series. This game features many customizable aspects including conditions, time of quarters, player fatigue, player injuries, and penalties. Unlike future Madden games, this version does not feature season play. It has only single games, and no actual NFL teams are included due to the lack of NFL or NFLPA licenses for authentic teams, player names, and stadiums. However, some teams are based on real teams. One could also create a team from scratch in this game. The cover was also used on All-Madden Edition of Madden NFL 23 and was made by Chuck Styles.

John Madden Football (1988)

Release Date: June 1, 1988

Console Availability: Apple II, MS-DOS, Commodore 64, Commodore 128

Developer: Electronic Arts

Synopsis: John Madden Football is a football video game that was released in 1988. It was the first game in the Madden NFL series, and it was based on the National Football League. The game features simple gameplay, but it was praised for its realism and its accurate depiction of NFL football.

Milestones:

    • John Madden Football was a commercial success, and it helped to popularize the Madden NFL series.
    • The game was praised for its realism and its accurate depiction of NFL football.
    • John Madden Football was one of the first video games to feature licensed NFL teams and players.
    • The game was also one of the first video games to feature a commentary track by John Madden.

Here are some additional details about the game:

  • The game was developed by Electronic Arts and published by Electronic Arts.
  • The game was directed by Joe Ybarra and produced by Trip Hawkins.
  • The game features a top-down perspective and simple gameplay.
  • The game is played on a gridiron, and players can control the offensive and defensive teams.
  • The game features a variety of game modes, including exhibition games, season mode, and playoff mode.

Podcasts Movies PopCultureGeeky Gifts Technology TV Video Games  Comedy Specials