Football fans have something to cheer about this week as Madden NFL 26 officially hits Xbox Series X|S, bringing with it enhanced visuals, deeper gameplay mechanics, and a strong push toward next-gen immersion. But that’s not all—Microsoft has also announced that a bundle of classic football titles and retro favorites has been added to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC, giving subscribers even more to explore this season.
Marking a major step forward for the long-running franchise, Madden NFL 26 skips Xbox One entirely, becoming the first mainline entry in the series to be exclusive to next-gen consoles since 2013. The result is a game built from the ground up to take advantage of modern hardware, offering quicker load times, better animations, and more responsive controls.
One of the standout features of Madden NFL 26 is its overhauled AI behavior and play-calling system. Players can now experience smarter quarterback decision-making, adaptive defensive schemes, and a more realistic in-game coaching dynamic. EA has also fine-tuned the physics engine to better simulate momentum, body weight, and player collisions, leading to a more grounded and intense feel on the field.
Visually, the game sees a notable leap forward. Player models have been updated with more detailed textures, individualized body types, and advanced facial scanning. Stadiums are livelier than ever, with dynamic weather, improved lighting, and crowds that react to every major play. New camera angles also help enhance immersion, bringing fans closer to the action—whether in Franchise mode or online play.
To celebrate the launch, Xbox Game Pass has added a surprise “Legends of the Gridiron” bundle, which includes retro football-themed games like NFL Blitz 2000, Backbreaker, and even Tecmo Bowl Throwback. The bundle caters to longtime fans of the genre and offers a nostalgic counterbalance to the modern presentation of Madden 26. These titles are available on both Xbox Series X|S and PC for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.
This dual approach—delivering the cutting edge while honoring the past—seems to be part of a larger strategy by EA and Xbox to reinvigorate interest in football gaming across generations. It’s a timely move, too, with the NFL season set to kick off in just a few weeks. Online servers have already seen a spike in activity as players test out team rosters and dive into Madden Ultimate Team.
Another highlight of this year’s release is the expanded Franchise Mode, which now includes deeper off-season mechanics, player personalities that affect morale and performance, and more flexible scouting tools. Combined with improvements in gameplay balance and presentation, these additions show that EA is working to win back fans who felt recent entries had grown stale.
Madden NFL 26 is now available for purchase on Xbox Series X|S and PS5, with deluxe editions offering bonus content and MUT rewards. Meanwhile, Game Pass users can jump into the retro bundle immediately.
Whether you’re running the latest playbook or reliving arcade-style classics, it’s a great time to be a football gamer.
