KEYBOARD, KEYBOARD & MOUSE, or GAMEPAD?
If you compare the gamepad controls versus the keyboard controls listed in the user manual, then you'll see the gamepad has a bit less to memorize, and is perhaps a bit more intuitive. Since the vast number of games played of MADDEN are played on consoles, I'll bet that most people would be comfortable with using the gamepad controller. Also, if you want to play with another person console style, then at least one of you will have to use a gamepad controller.
Although a good gamepad or two is a significant expense, an important consideration for the many of us who are unemployed, if one is going to pursue this MADDEN hobby, then one should do it right.
Five years ago the game engine used in the modded versions of MADDEN was designed to be played with certain popular (at the time) dual analog stick gamepad controllers.
The Original MADDEN NFL Compatible PC Controller (Recommended) List
* Logitech Dual Action
* Logitech Rumble Pad 2
* Gravis Eliminator Aftershock
* Thrustmaster Firestorm Dual Analog Gamepad
* Thrustmaster Firestorm Dual Power 3
* Thrustmaster Firestorm Dual Analog 3
* Thrustmaster Firestorm Wireless controller
* Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller for Windows
Within the MADDEN NFL 2004 PC documentation, the Logitech Dual Action was the reference model gamepad. It was an excellent choice in its time. I still use mine. Five years is a long time in computer terms and the controller market has changed. For the most part these recommended controllers are no longer available in retail stores.
A good thing about playing MADDEN over the years on the various systems is that the game has tended to keep the play controls in the same location.
Logitech Dual Action
Sony Playstation
Microsoft XBOX
As you can see most of the major game console system controllers are quite similar in form (except for Nintendo's who always tries to be the leader in controller innovation), and MADDEN takes advantage of this in their standard button layouts.
For example to call for a 'Fair Catch', the button to press is 4 on the PC, Δ on the Playstation, and Y on the XBOX. Similarly, to snap the football on the various systems is accomplished by pressing the lowermost button in the diamond. 2 on the PC, X on the Playstation, and A on the XBOX. This is a good thing because avid gamers develop what is known as muscle memory and will be reluctant to play with other gamepad configurations.
Muscle memory is defined as a form of procedural memory that involves consolidating a specific motor task into memory through repetition. When a movement is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that task, eventually allowing it to be performed without conscious effort. This process decreases the need for attention and creates maximum efficiency within the motor and memory systems. Examples of muscle memory are found in many everyday activities that become automatic and improve with practice, such as riding a bicycle, typing on a keyboard, typing in a PIN, playing a melody or phrase on a musical instrument, and playing video games.
Fortunately, we can still buy a modern controller which combines the best of a lot of things, including button layout compatibility with MADDEN on the PC. Logitech makes three models which fit the bill, depending on your wants and needs, and all are widely available.
Currently the logical choice for playing MADDEN FF/FI 13 is the Logitech Gamepad F310. MSRP $24.99 http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/controllers/7360
----------------------------------- update February 28, 2013 ---------------------------------
Although they are fine for most every other application,
I no longer endorse the Logitech F_ series controllers as being the best replacement
for the officially supported MADDEN PC controllers.
Based on the information contained in this post
http://www.footballidiot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=14682#p38482
which describes undesirable Logitech F_ series analog stick behavior,
the best available replacement controllers are the PlayStation3 controllers.
My best guess is that PS3 controllers have two classifications:
Clones - post as "PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller"
Generics - post using other names, e.g. "Afterglow controller for PS3"
Use the MotioninJoy DS3 drivers for clone PS3 controllers:
Here's how to use a PS3 controller (clone) on Madden 08 PC http://www.footballidiot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3755
Use the registry mod method for the generic PS3 controllers which turns them into fully working Logitech clones:
My (generic) PS3 controller works great with MADDEN!!! http://www.footballidiot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4521&start=30#p21154
Available for about a mere $12, this Snakebyte PS3 dual shock controller clone is a really great deal!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Snakebyte-PS3 ... 3/21063198
Now that I have figured out how to make the latest MiJ drivers run on my XP installation (as well as on Vista)
I am unreservedly enthusiastic about recommending the Snakebyte PS3 controller as a logical replacement for a worn out Logitech Dual Action.
The only downside is that once the controller is setup using the MiJ drivers,
MADDEN recognizes the Snakebyte as a XBOX 360 controller,
and then displays the XBOX controller button icons.
Seeing those XBOX icons may not be a problem for you like they are for me.
But if they are, then at this link are some TexMod packages
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=14605&p=37726#p37724
to change the XBOX controller button and offensive playbook diagram icons into Logitech or PlayStation icons.
If I could find a cheaper generic PS3 controller then I'd suggest using that,
because the XBOX controller icon display is not an issue when using them.
But at $20 with no rumble, and with crap quality, that GameStop (Afterglow) generic is not a good deal.
The R2 switch on it is already failing.
Perhaps the Snakebyte will also prove to be a shoddy stick, but at $12 that would be a bit more understandable.
----------------------------------- update March 3, 2013 ---------------------------------
I am pleased that SONY made the correct decision to continue with their traditional design wisdom in their PlayStation4 controller.
chopperdave6609 has provided some useful information concerning generic XBOX controllers and MADDEN,
which sooner or later may be of use to those of you accustomed to those annoyingly perverted form factor gamepads.
@ viewtopic.php?f=22&t=14678#p38662
chopperdave6609 wrote:My controller is not an official Microsoft Xbox 360 controller, it's an Airflo 360 controller. Licensed by Microsoft to work as a 360 controller, but not made by them. {snip}
I figured out that Windows 7 was seeing the Airflo as just that; an Airflo 360 controller, and not an official Xbox 360 controller. I didn't think this would matter at first, since the Airflo was seen by other games as a 360 controller in general. These other games were more recent releases, however, so maybe their programmed better to take a larger variety of Xbox 360 controllers than just the default Microsoft model.
I did some research here and at other places online, and found out about modifying the Windows 7 registry to disguise a controller as another controller, basically. Here's what I did to make my Airflo 360 controller compatible with Madden 08 on Windows 7. I'm not sure if this will work with other third-party Xbox 360 controllers, so please, if you want to do this, *do it at your own risk*.
Note: From what I read online, it was suggested that you back up your registry before making any modifications to it.
1. Control Panel -> Devices and Printers -> right clicked on my controller -> Game Controller Properties. I took note of my controller's name.
2. Start -> type "regedit" -> clicked regedit.
3. Edit -> Find... I typed in the name of my third party 360 controller (Xbox Airflo wired controller, in this case)
4. I found all the instances of my controller, and right clicked the property with its name and clicked "modify", and replaced the value data with "XBOX 360 For Windows (Controller)" (without quotations). I did this for every instance of Xbox Airflo wired controller I could find.
5. I started Madden 08, went to my controller settings, and saw that "Gamepad" changed to "Xbox 360 controller".
I tested the game for over an hour, and it controls very well. Again, I believe this is only for third party Xbox 360 wired controllers that work well with other games, but show up as a generic gamepad in Madden 08. Because I only have the Airflo 360 controller to test this out on, I can only confirm that the Airflo Xbox 360 controller will work with this.
----------------------------------- update September 10, 2013 ---------------------------------
In this post : Madden 08 - Gigaware Gamepad - Right Analog Stick Problem
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=15280&p=44964#p44964
Donavon makes us aware of the $17.99 Gigaware® USB Wired Controller for PC available at Radio Shack.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=3964949
This is a 100% Logitech Dual Action compatible controller, once the Windows registry is informed.
I just returned from my local Micro Center to get a new hard drive and saw a new product on the shelf.
There are a whole lot more Radio Shacks across the land than Micro Centers,
but if you are fortunate enough to live near a Micro Center,
then the $8.99 TTX Tech PC Controller Wired might be a better choice.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/3875 ... ller_Wired
I say might, because I have not actually bought one to test,
but I'd bet $8.99 that its a another PS3 generic,
therefore totally compatible with the Logitech Dual Action after the registry controller name update.