Inside Xbox

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Update #3: EA's Next Level FAQ offers more details about the upgrade program, and lists the release date for the current-gen versions of Madden 21 as this summer, with the next-gen system versions coming TBA.

Update #2: Electronic Arts has posted its official "Next Level" webpage detailing Madden 21's cross-buy options. Players who buy the Xbox One version of Madden 21 can get a free copy of the Xbox Series X edition for free if they buy their Xbox One version by December 31, 2020 and upgrade to the Series X version by March 31, 2021.

EA says more details on this program are coming in its EA Play event in June.

Update #1: Microsoft isn't official confirming that Madden 21 is part of the Smart Delivery program, but if you buy the Xbox One version of the game, you get the Xbox Series X version for free.

We always joke about the predictability of the announcement of a yearly sports game, but given the worldwide pandemic and the lack of real sports at the moment, it's good that some things indeed never change. EA Sports has announced Madden NFL 21 for the next-generation of consoles, and as far as today's Inside Xbox showcase is concerned, the Xbox Series X in particular.

The other day EA did a soft announcement of Madden 21 for the coming consoles, but it was good to see a more official announcement of the title including a tease of gameplay and a promise that this year's game emphasizes "what you can feel."

It will be interesting to see how each of the series' modes are built out for the next-gen, as in recent years Franchise mode fans have been unhappy with that mode's relative stasis compared to the attention that the lucrative Ultimate Team receives. Hopefully Madden 21 delivers something everyone can enjoy when they fire up their new console.

Madden NFL 21 hits the current-gen platforms this summer, and next-gen later. Madden on Xbox Series X makes use of Microsoft's Smart Delivery feature, so if you no matter if you buy the current-gen or Xbox Series X version, you can play on either system without having to buy the game twice.

Products In This Article

Madden NFL 21

Platform:
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC
Release Date: