For gamers out there who can’t stand the thought of leaving their houses and suffering some kind of football game withdrawals, EA Sports brings us Madden NFL ’06 for the PSP, the only football game you’re going to see on the console, ever, thanks to the deal struck between EA and the NFL late last year. In other words, you’d better like it! And I’m pleased to report that after playing Madden NFL ’06 for PSP, you likely will.

Fans of Madden will instantly feel at home with the PSP version. Players will run with momentum and weight, while the collisions are very accurate. Controls are very much like their console counterpart (no passing cone however) with the graphics managing to get very close. You won’t find any names on the backs of jerseys or close-up shots of player faces, however the overall presentation feels very NFL and very Madden. And while still in development, the frame-rate is quite playable already.

The game features a majority of the same modes you’re used to finding in the home console versions of the game, including the super fly ability to transfer your franchise mode data from the PS2 version of the game onto your PSP for what EA’s calling "Franchise On The Go". This mode allows you to continue playing your franchise even while you’re not at home, so you can play a few rounds between classes during the day and then upload your progress back to the PS2 at night and keep playing. It’s a terrific idea and I hope more games follow suit.

Additionally, Madden NFL ’06 for the PSP will offer both ad hoc wireless mode (for direct head-to-head action) and infrastructure mode wireless play (for battling it out over the internet). Roster updates will also be available for download.

With four months left of development time, Madden NFL ’06 is shaping up to be a real treat for NFL fans come this September. Currently no screenshots are available, and I’m kicking myself for not getting a video at E3, however rest assured that when they are released, you will find them here on Gamersmark.