10 Epic Moments In Madden History

Image via Complex Original

1988-1998

The saga begins with John Madden becoming the first NFL player with his own video game franchise. Joe Montana took a shot in 1991 with Joe Montana Football on the Sega Genesis but it couldn't stand up against the momentum of Madden.

1990

Madden resets the bar of football video games and is recognized as an industry game changer. Over a decade later, it continues to lead the way.

1994

Instead of generic cities, Madden gets licensed to use the actual team names. A huge win for football gaming.

1995

The Madden franchise adds NFL player's names. Something completely unheard of at the time.

1995

EA Sports begins it's yearly tournament pulling in celebrities, athletes and tons of attention. Winners included actor Morris Chestnut, Chad Ochocino, Maria Menounos and most recently, Tim Tebow.

2003

Online play is introduced allowing gamers to challenge friends over broadband and (wait for it) dial-up.

2004

EA Sports starts their Super Bowl simulation in which the teams competing at the Super Bowl compete in the latest Madden game. The sim is a hit and went on to accurately predict 7 of the last 9 Super Bowls.

2005

For the first time, a linebacker is chosen as a Super Bowl MVP. That man was Ray Lewis. While boasting the historical MVP on the cover, Madden 2005 also improved on it's defensive features lending to the game's marketing campaign of "Fear The D".

1999

It wasn’t until this release that NFL players started to get top billing on Madden covers. Garrison Hearst was the baller to usher in a new era for Madden Football.

2010

Troy Polomalu and Larry Fitzgerald's Madden cover marked the first time there were ever 2 players featured at once. Madden '10 was also the first in the franchise to be released for iOS.