Madden NFL 25: Where And What Edition To Buy?

Highlights

• Madden NFL 25 offers various editions for players to choose from, each with its own set of bonuses and features. The Standard Edition is the most basic and includes cover athlete Christian McCaffrey, two strategy items, a Superstar Drip Gear, and an XP boost. For those interested in Ultimate Team mode, the Deluxe Edition offers three-day early access, player and XP boosts, 4600 Madden points, and additional in-game items.
• The MVP Bundle is the most comprehensive option, as it includes both Madden NFL 25 and EA Sports College Football 25. This bundle offers early access to both games, points to spend in their respective Ultimate Team modes, and exclusive in-game items. However, it is only available on current-gen consoles (PS4 and Xbox One).
• Ultimately, the choice of edition depends on the player’s preferences and priorities. If Ultimate Team mode and early access are important, the Deluxe Edition or MVP Bundle may be the best choice. For those who prefer other game modes or want to save money, the Standard Edition is a more practical option.

With EA Sports College Football 25 pre-orders selling at a furious rate, it’s easy to forget about Madden NFL 25. Nostalgia may give the college game an edge, but Madden remains one of the most popular competitive multiplayer sports titles. To keep players invested in the latest version, EA offers unique buying opportunities ahead of the Madden 25 release date. One advantage the game has on College Football 25 is support for newer and older gaming consoles, so these deals cater to a huge audience.

The Madden Championship Series has become an intense annual competition where the top gamers in the world face off. Any Madden NFL 25 player can start their road to fame in Ultimate Team, but this mode can be intimidating to newcomers. Many pre-order opportunities aim to give buyers a head start in building their fantasy teams.

When Does Madden 25 Come Out, and on What Platforms?

Following the July release of EA Sports College Football 25, Madden NFL 25 will be available on August 19. That doesn’t give gamers much time to decide which football title is right for them, but EA hopes players make time for both. As far as platforms, there are some distinct differences between the college and pro games. While EA Sports College Football 25 is launching only on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, Madden NFL 25 once again returns to the PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Critics will say EA Sports College Football 25 is superior since the developers can focus entirely on improving next-gen graphics. However, the initial footage of Madden on the PS5 and Xbox looks impressive in its own right.

Another attractive aspect of Madden NFL 25 on older consoles is its Dual Entitlement features. Buyers can purchase the game’s PS4 or Xbox One versions and then upgrade to the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S versions for free. Dual Entitlement applies to the Standard and Deluxe Editions and is most convenient for gamers who are in the process of upgrading consoles. Both digital and disc versions of Madden NFL 25 qualify for this benefit on the PS4 and Xbox One.

Pigskin fanatics can experience Madden NFL 25 before its official release date in several ways. After a digital download, the Deluxe and MVP Bundle editions provide three-day early access starting August 16th. PC gamers who subscribe to EA Play Pro can also participate in the Madden NFL 25 early access festivities before having unlimited access. Finally, EA Play members on Xbox and PlayStation consoles are encouraged to try a 10-hour trial of the game on August 16th.

Madden NFL 25 Standard Edition

Some gamers may feel pressured to purchase an expensive version of a game ahead of its release, but even Standard Editions often include bonuses. The least expensive edition of the Madden includes some worthy extras that can provide a jump start to both casual and dedicated players. The Standard Edition of Madden NFL 25 also has the perk of being sold in physical disc versions. If gamers find they prefer College Football 25 or another sports title, it won’t be difficult to find a Madden fan looking for a copy. PS4 owners can purchase the game and upgrade to next-gen PS5 graphics, while the Xbox Series X version’s disc also works on the Xbox One.

One of the most dynamic sports stars, Christian McCaffrey, is the Madden NFL 25 cover athlete. To celebrate this selection, buyers of the Standard Edition will receive either a McCaffrey card or an upgrade to use in Ultimate Team mode. Next, two strategy items can enhance specific player ratings in the same mode. Players of the most economical Madden NFL 25 edition will also enjoy an XP boost to make leveling in MUT less painful. Finally, while it won’t help with performance, Superstar Drip Gear is a unique uniform and gear that can help players stand out on the field. You can find a complete breakdown of the bonuses below:

Standard Edition Bonuses

• Cover Athlete Elite Player Item
• Choice of 2 Strategy Items
• Superstar Drip Gear
• Legendary XP Boost

Certain retailers offer store-specific deals that make the Madden NFL 25 Standard Edition more appealing. Best Buy will give gamers a $10 gift card with every purchase. Another way to save some money is through EA Play, where members receive a 10% discount off the Standard Edition regular price.

The Madden NFL 25 Standard Edition doesn’t “wow” gamers with bonuses. Still, since most extras in pricier versions are useful only in Ultimate Team, it’s the most practical choice for fans of other modes like Franchise. The only drawback is that players won’t have any early access when bought alone.

Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition

The Madden NFL 25 Deluxe Edition grants players early access on all platforms and has some well-rounded Ultimate Team bonuses. For players new to EA Sports titles, Madden Ultimate Team or MUT has become one of the most popular ways to play the game. This mode can become time-consuming and costly as players buy and open player and item packs to improve their custom teams. There are single-player challenges, but MUT emphasizes highly competitive multiplayer action. The Deluxe Edition allows players to get an edge on opponents with three-day early access and player and XP boosts.

Most modes have undergone changes, and MUT showcases some key alterations to Ultimate Team in Madden NFL 24. Of most interest to esports competitors is the head-to-head ranked mode, where winning more than other metrics now has a greater effect on rankings. Also, six vs. six games are no longer just a fun diversion, as they have become part of MUT mode. Other improvements include a new interface that makes it easier to manage rosters and determine what collected items will have the most impact. Buyers should keep in mind that many of these refinements are not accessible on the PS4 and Xbox One.

With the Deluxe Edition, buyers receive all the extras included in the Standard Edition plus 4600 Madden points, which can be used to purchase player packs and upgrades. If Ultimate Team in Madden NFL 25 follows past versions, the AKA Player Item will include alternate player cards using their nicknames. Along with these bonuses, there will be limited-time MUT challenges during the early access period starting on August 13th. The complete breakdown of the Deluxe Edition incentives are below:

Deluxe Edition Bonuses

• 3-Day Early Access from Aug. 13-15
• 4600 Madden Points
• Christian McCaffrey Elite Player Item
• Choice of 2 Strategy Items
• Early Access Ultimate Team Challenges
• Superstar Drip Gear (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC only)
• Legendary XP Boost (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC only)
• AKA Player Item (Pre-Order by Aug. 1st)

There are also many new additions to single-player-focused modes, like Franchise. Buyers can look forward to alternate commentary teams and more game day cinematics, but most bonuses are designed for Ultimate Team. Standard Edition is the better option if gamers would rather simulate seasons with their favorite NFL teams.

Madden NFL 25 MVP Bundle

By far, the most interesting Madden NFL 25 edition is the MVP Bundle, which actually consists of two games. To avoid potential sales loss due to the July release of the EA Sports College Football 25, buyers are provided digital codes to download both. Essentially, the MVP Bundle is simply the Deluxe Edition of each game with the same bonuses.

Dynasty is a highly anticipated EA Sports College Football 25 mode in which players take control of their favorite school and recruit their way to a national championship. To encourage those gamers to try out Madden, there are some interesting tie-ins between the two games. After college stars graduate in Road to Glory mode, they can enter the draft in the Madden NFL 25. To further increase the realism, the upcoming Madden will have more extensive draft coverage and the NFL Combines to evauluate potential rookies.

Realistically, many gamers may be unable to devote themselves to both titles, but the MVP Bundle has bonuses to keep players invested. For buyers unfamiliar with the pre-order deals for College Football 25, this bundle includes these extras:

MVP Bundle Bonuses

• 3-Day Early Access from July 16-18
• 4600 College Football Points
• Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack (Choice of 1 player item out of 3)
• Bring Glory Home Ultimate Team Uniform Item

In addition to an early access period starting on July 16th, players will have plenty of points to start their Ultimate Team journey. Gamers can also show their affiliation with athletic programs with the Alma Mater Ultimate Team Pack, which contains legendary players from colleges and universities.

Sadly, none of the Madden NFL 25 editions include physical collectibles, but some college memorabilia ships with GameStop’s MVP Bundle. If buyers order from this retailer, they will get a commemorative football, jersey, and a small locker replica.

College Football 25 doesn’t feature the broad platform compatibility of Madden NFL 25. If buyers have a PC, PS4, or Xbox One, the MVP Bundle isn’t practical since the college game only works on current-gen consoles. Nevertheless, considering the savings compared to buying each football game separately, gamers can keep their options open as to what title they should play.

Which Madden NFL 25 Edition Should You Buy?

It seems every year, the pre-order deals for Madden NFL 25 and similar sports titles become more complicated. One constant theme of most editions is Ultimate Team-related bonuses. Grinding for rank and points while building the ideal fantasy team may not be how some gamers prefer to play Madden. The extras that ship with the Deluxe and MVP Bundles focus on Ultimate Team, but they also grant three-day early access on August 13th. If MUT or playing the game before the Madden 25 release date is not a priority, then the Standard Edition is the sensible choice.

Madden NFL 25 faces an uphill battle, with the return of EA Sports College Football 25 attracting more attention. Also, some buyers gave Madden NFL 24 poor reviews because of a stale Franchise mode and lackluster presentation. Ahead of its 25th-anniversary version, Madden promises some modest, but notable improvements in these areas. Part of the game’s appeal is tied to College Football 25, with players able to graduate their college stars and guide them to greatness in the NFL.

It’s rare to see two new games packaged at a significant discount. Consequently, the Madden NFL 25 MVP Bundle is the most enticing pre-order deal for football fans.

FAQ

Q: What’s the benefit of pre ordering a game?

In some cases, reserving a physical copy of game can avoid disappointment on release day. Deals revolving around digital downloads should offer in-game bonuses or early access to make it worth pre-ordering a title.

Q: Will EA Sports College Football use the Madden engine?

EA Sports College Football 25 does in fact use the same engine as Madden 25. On the other hand, older NCAA football titles usually had a different feel from Madden games in the same season. There is a higher disparity in talent among college players, and plays tend to develop more slowly than in the pros. Also, unlike Madden NFL 25, College Football 25 is a current-gen only game, allowing developers to focus on cutting-edge visuals.