It was destined to happen since Sony introduced the PSP to the handheld-gaming market, the Madden NFL franchise has finally strayed beyond the Game Boy Advance. Year after year we’ve seen EA Sports take the franchise to new and exciting levels of football greatness but this is the year of new consoles (Madden on the Xbox 360, sign me up) and, of course, the PSP. How good is our favorite football game on Sony’s new handheld? Let’s just say that this is, by far, the best portable version of Madden you’ll find this year. Put me in, coach, I’m ready for some football.

First of all, the Nintendo DS has struck gold with this year’s addition of Madden NFL and seeing as they managed to cram a nice portion of what makes the console version so amazing has DS owners and armchair jocks singing its praises. Yet the PSP is another thing and having seen how the handheld system was able to impressively bring us almost an exact duplicate of EA Sports other franchise, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005, there was no doubt it would bring us Madden NFL 06 much like the PlayStation 2 version. Well, I’m happy to report that the PSP version has a number of features you can’t cram into a Nintendo DS and boy, does it look and play like a dream.

Aside from featuring a pretty decent and deep Franchise mode, the game also has an exclusive Assistant Coach mode and Mini-Camp mode with a Mini-Camp Competition you can share with up to four friends. There’s wireless multiplayer with other PSP owners and online multiplayer using a network connection (you’ll have to open an account with EA Sports and pay a $2 subscription fee) and the best part about this is that you can connect your PSP to your PS2 via a USB cable and download content from your PS2 version of the game. You’ll be able to transfer your PS2 profile and Franchise mode game file to your PSP and continue your career or download current rosters as well as the EA messenger ticker from the console version.

The game’s Franchise mode is deep and has you taking control of your team's every need and choice from the training camp to an entire season as you try to get your team to the playoffs. You can trade players or draft new ones and even if your team doesn’t make it to the playoffs you can assume control of a different team to play a Super Bowl game. The new Assistant Coach mode is a great addition where you assume the role of an assistant coach as you attempt to complete a list of goals that benefit your team or key players on your team. Mini-Camp offers many of the neat little mini-games found in the console version with the exception of 10 interesting new games. Essentially a great practice tool and used to earn extra points, Mini-Camp is just a downright entertaining mode to play through.

Gameplay-wise, Madden NFL 06 plays just as good as the console version with only one major annoyance. The fast pace and steady flow we enjoy from the console version is missing thanks to a few stutters and camera jerks. Imagine you’ve managed to slip right past the opposing team’s defense and are making a mad dash for some serious yardage when a rival player sudden goes for a tackle and you push the juke button when the game suddenly stutters to a half-second stop. Then the game continues and you’re on the ground with Kevin Williams on top of you. Worse yet are the lengthy load times, especially if you want to bring up the pause menu when you want to review stats or make changes to the formation. Yes, it’s that annoying but while the stutter happens somewhat frequently and the load times become something of a pain it pales compared to the great AI and even better controls.

The controls feel right on the PSP and that’s a good thing since, like the console version, the precision passing is a dream come true. The analog stick just makes for more accurate passes and even the kicking game is handled nicely. The control scheme just makes it easy to call and audible before the snap and making defensive line shifts is a snap. In short, the PSP handles the Madden gameplay mechanics perfectly. Top it all off with realistic AI that is true to each team’s strengths and weaknesses and you have a challenging game that plays just like the big boys.   

Visually, Madden on the PSP looks wonderfully detailed to the point that you’ll notice how natural the players move and how crisp everything from stadiums to players look out on the field. While the game lacks a number of cutscenes like the console version, we get a nice view of the field and the players. This is good thing considering the fact that you’ll have many players on the screen. Even the main menu is attractive in this game.

As for the game’s sound, the soundtrack is filled with tunes that mix hip-hop, rock tunes and some remixed film score-type music. The eclectic artist mix ranges from Foo Fighters, Godsmack and Fall Out Boy to Memphis Bleek, Slim Thug and Tech N9ne. There’s game commentary by the usual suspects and once again Al Michaels and John Madden prove to be on the spot and always able to point out interesting plays.

Ah, Madden NFL 06 on the PSP is the way we love our portable football game. While it's far from perfect, there’s no denying that with much to offer this is a game sports fans and PSP owners should not leave out of their growing library of titles. It’s the type of game you’ll happily take with you on long trips or whenever you need a serious dose of Madden on the go. Do yourself a favor and buy this one right away.

Gameplay: 8.0
It looks like Madden and it plays like Madden and darn if it doesn’t feel like a complete package with its Mini-Camp games, Franchise mode and great Assistant Coach mode. The passing game is good and you’re able to call some plays straight from your own playbook. My only major gripe is the frequent slowdowns and stutter that break up the flow of the game.

Graphics: 8.5
Quite an impressive-looking package, Madden on the PSP is nicely detailed to the point that you’ll easily pick out McNabb or Tom Brady out on the field. There are some slowdown issues that stop the flow of the action but this is still the best-looking portable Madden game. 

Sound: 8.0
There’s a hearty collection of tunes to be found here from the heavy rocking tunes from bands like All American Rejects to hip-hop from artists like Tech N9ne. There’s commentary from Al Michaels and John Madden that’s true to the console version to the point that the game sounds like a televised event. 

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
The AI is as sharp as the PS2 version of the game so you’ll constantly have to watch your plays especially when you’re going up against powerhouses like the New England Patriots. The best part is that the opposing team is good at delivering true-to-the-real-deal plays so expect accuracy from the get-go.

Concept: 9.0
The Mini-Camp games alone are worth the price of admission but with a robust Franchise mode and online play this one feels like a complete package. The best feature, though, is uploading rosters, Franchise mode game files and your current profile directly from your PS2 version of the game.

Multiplayer: 7.5
Connect with other PSP owners for some great wireless multiplayer action or play this one online. Although you do have to go through the somewhat painful account setup with EA, it’s worth it just to be playing the game with others. 

Overall: 8.8
There’s no doubt about, Madden NFL 06 for the PSP is portable football you can’t afford to be without. Yes we’ve seen Madden on the GBA and most recently on the Nintendo DS but with PS2 connectivity, sharp visuals and solid gameplay this is by far the best handheld version. Go ahead and buy this one, football fans, you won’t be sorry.