With fans all over the world anticipating another stellar title from EA, there is a lot of hype building for Madden NFL 21. Although Madden 20 was a great title in its own regard, fans are still looking for improvements to this year’s title. Let’s get you up to speed with everything you need to know about Madden 21!

Table of Contents:
Release Date
Platforms
Soundtrack
Editions
Prices
Covers
Trailers
Gameplay
Madden Ultimate Team
Face of the Franchise
X-Factor
Top 10 Player Ratings
User Reviews
FAQs

Release Date

Madden 21 is now available. It's official release date was August 28, 2020. If you pre-ordered the MVP Edition, you could play beginning August 25th.

Platforms

Madden 21 is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Google Stadia.

Next-Gen Features

Madden 21 is set to be the series’ first entry onto the next generation consoles later this year. Although EA has announced limited news regarding some of the features that next-gen is going to offer as opposed to current-generation, they have confirmed important features that players have been expecting developers to implement for their next-gen titles: Xbox Series X Smart Delivery and EA Dual Entitlement. This will allow players to easily transfer their already purchased current generation editions of the game over to the Xbox Series X and PS5 free of charge!

Soundtrack

Electronic Arts Inc.

The Madden NFL 21 soundtrack features hip-hop artists like Anderson Paak, Rick Ross, Denzel Curry, Jack Harlow, and more.

Here's the full Madden 21 soundtrack list:

1. 1. Anderson .Paak feat. Rick Ross "CUT EM IN"
   2. Big K.R.I.T. "KICKOFF"
   3. Blacc Zacc "Flag On Da Play"
   4. blackbear "lil bit"
   5. Childish Major & JACE "Kick It"
   6. Earthgang "Powered Up"
   7. HDBeenDope "Top"
   8. Jack Harlow "Automatic"
   9. Jucee Froot "Champion"
   10. Lute feat. Blakk Soul "Get It And Go"
   11. NEZ feat. DUCKWRTH & Saint Bodhi "Work"
   12. Nimic Revenue "Win Again"
   13. Party Favor & JAHMED "ACTUP"
   14. Smino with Monte Booker & The Drums "Backstage Pass"
   15. Stunna Girl "Rotation (Game Mix)"
   16. Terrell Hines "On Fire"
   17. Tokyo's Revenge "Irresponsible"
   18. Yungblud & Denzel Curry "LEMONADE"

Listen to the Madden 21 Soundtrack on Spotify:

 

Editions

Like last year, EA will be releasing three different editions for Madden 21: Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and MVP Edition.

Wondering what the Madden 21 edition differences are?

Here's a Madden 21 editions comparison table:

REWARDS	STANDARD EDITION	DELUXE EDITION	MVP EDITION
Base Game	✓	✓	✓
1 “Your Choice” Uniform Pack		✓	✓
Madden Ultimate Team Gold Team Fantasy Packs	5 Packs	12 Packs	17 Packs
1 of 32 Players from NFL Team Elite Packs		✓	✓
3-Day Early Access to Madden NFL 21 (August 25, 2020)		✓	✓
Madden Championship Series Ultimate Champion Pack			✓
1 Large Quicksell Training Pack			✓
Lamar Jackson Elite Item with Power Up			✓

 

So, if you are thinking about upgrading your edition of Madden 21, it may be best to think about whether or not you are going to devote massive amounts of time into Ultimate Team this year.

Prices

It comes as no surprise that the more rewards and bonuses you receive, the more expensive the edition is going to be. 

Here are the Madden 21 editions prices:

• Madden 21 Standard Edition: $59.99 ($53.99 for EA Play members)
• Madden 21 Deluxe Edition: $79.99 ($71.99 for EA Play members)
• Madden 21 MVP Edition: $99.99 ($89.99 for EA Play members)

Covers

Electronic Arts Inc./Baltimore Ravens

Madden will only be drawing one NFL player as the cover star for this year’s game: Baltimore Ravens QB and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

If you are an NFL fan, you could have easily guessed who would be the cover star for this year’s game. Lamar Jackson was a shining star in last year’s season.

Watch Lamar Jackson's cover story featuring Lil Wayne:

 

Trailers

Reveal Trailer

Watch the Madden 21 official reveal trailer that dropped on June 16, 2020:

 

The Yard Trailer

EA is going all out this year with The Yard, a brand-new backyard football-inspired mode that EA describes as:

The rising generation of NFL stars has been dropping dimes and creating in space way before they got to the league. Now, it’s your turn.

Mind-blowing gameplay highlights in The Yard are generated by new trick play animations never before seen in Madden NFL. Feel the new gameplay take full effect as your ability to adapt and create after the snap is key to winning, no matter what it takes.

Create and customize your one-of-a-kind Avatar to represent you and express your individuality throughout The Yard. Swag out your Avatar with the freshest gear you’ve ever seen in Madden. Collect Rep to build your Madden Rank as you progress and earn Cred to unlock more gear.

Taking a note from FIFA 20’s Volta game mode, this appears to be 6V6 game mode where you will have complete control of your player and how they appear on the grid!

“Equip your Avatar with the freshest gear you’ve ever seen in Madden. Earn Cred by tackling challenges, rack up points, and notch W’s. Then, visit the Gear Store and swag out your avatar to stay winning in style. Keep an eye out for new gear drops all year long.”

 

Gameplay

Take a closer look at Madden 21 gameplay updates by watching the official gameplay deep dive:

 

Madden Ultimate Team

Perhaps the biggest game mode in the entire Madden series, Madden Ultimate Team or MUT, has always been a staple of the game. This year appears to be no different. EA is doubling down on this year’s game mode, and they have posted some of the features going to be obtainable along with rewards over on their MUT page.

“Start earning rewards and unlock exclusive in-game events for opening packs in Madden Ultimate Team. Madden Rewards members can receive MUT Coins, packs, and other surprises throughout the Madden NFL 21 season.”

Face of the Franchise

Madden’s take on the traditional career mode is getting some new features this year.

Madden 20 introduced a new story element that we have never seen in the series, as players got to choose one of four Colleges to suit up, for one to two games. Although there is no stand-alone NCAA title, this was one of the best features of the game mode last year. 

EA has noted the following about Face of The Franchise this year on their official Madden 21 site:

“Push the limits of your legacy in Face of the Franchise: Rise To Fame. The new playable documentary career mode offers all-out levels of agency and depth throughout your journey to the Hall of Fame.”

X-Factor

One of the mechanics that is completely unique to the Madden series is what they call X-Factors. These are unique abilities that certain players have on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. These X-Factors can be crucial Madden 21 as they can heavily impact the flow of the game.

“The game-changing ability system that made NFL stars feel like stars just leveled up. Explore the brand new and updated Superstar X-Factor abilities available in Madden NFL 21.”

Some of the X-Factors seem to have gotten an upgrade/tweaking this year, so expect some changes when you hop onto the grid.

Top 10 Player Ratings

One of the most important aspects of any sports game is the player ratings. EA has revealed all the player ratings in the leadup to its release. Only a select few players can earn the highest ratings in the game.

Here are the top 10 overall rated players for Madden 21:

PLAYER	TEAM	POSITION	OVR
Aaron Donald	Los Angeles Rams	RE	99
Christian McCaffrey	Carolina Panthers	HB	99
Michael Thomas	New Orleans Saints	WR	99
Patrick Mahomes	Kansas City Chiefs	QB	99
Stephon Gilmore	New England Patriots	CB	99
Bobby Wagner	Seattle Seahawks	MLB	98
DeAndre Hopkins	Arizona Cardinals	WR	98
George Kittle	San Francisco 49ers	TE	98
J.J. Watt	Houston Texans	LE	98
Zack Martin	Dallas Cowboys	RG	98

 

User Reviews

Over on our @GFUELesports Twitter account, we asked you what your thoughts are on Madden 21.

Some of our very own G FUEL ambassadors shared their thoughts on the new game. 

Atlanta Falcons QB Kurt Benkert seems to be enjoying this year’s title:

The most I’ve enjoyed madden in a long time, The Yard has My Park type potential 🔥

— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) August 31, 2020

 

Zirksee had a lot of praise for the Ultimate Team portion of the game and noted that gameplay-wise, it feels a lot better than Madden 20.

 

ActualCC and Scomo seem to be on the same page as well. Both mention how this year’s gameplay is superior compared to recent titles and how fun it has been!

 

 

Tokenasty showed a little bit of love for his Oakland Raiders, but also agrees with how fun Madden 21 has been.

 

ItsDom mentioned that this year's title is great for Madden Ultimate Team content creators like himself. The only thing on his wishlist is a better Cam Newton card.

 

 

FAQs

When does Madden 21 come out?

Madden 21 released on August 28, 2020. If you pre-ordered the MVP Edition, you could play beginning August 25th.

Is Madden 21 cross-platform?

No, Madden 21 does not support cross-play.

How much will Madden 21 cost?

Madden 21 Standard Edition costs $59.99 ($53.99 for EA Play members), Deluxe Edition costs $79.99 ($71.99 for EA Play members), and MVP Edition costs $99.99 ($89.99 for EA Play members).

Who will be on the Madden 21 cover?

Baltimore Ravens QB and NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson, is on the covers for all Madden 21 editions.

Is Madden 21 coming to Nintendo Switch?

No. Madden 21 will not be available on Nintendo Switch.

When is Madden 21 Mobile coming out?

Madden NFL 21 Mobile is now available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.

When can you pre-order Madden 21?

Before Madden 21 was released on August 25, 2020, you could pre-order Madden 21 at www.ea.com/games/madden-nfl/madden-nfl-21/buy.

Be sure to stay up to date with all the Madden NFL 21 news over on our page, as we will be bringing you an ample amount of post-release content.

Let us know in the comments below what game mode you are most excited for in Madden 21.

Read more:

4 Best Teams To Use In Madden 21 [With Ratings]

12 Best Madden 22 Teams [With Official Team Ratings!]

4 Best Teams To Use In Madden 20 [With Ratings]

Best Madden 20 Offensive And Defensive Playbooks [With Videos]

 

Top image via Electronic Arts Inc.

This article was written by Nick Farrell, a full-time university student who loves talking and writing about video games.