Like most annualized franchises, theMadden NFLseries has consistently been accessible on multiple platforms. Since its 1988 inception, only a handful of exclusive installments have been released in the overall franchise, the last of which was 2011’sMadden NFL Footballon the Nintendo 3DS. For the most part, EA has continued to release itsMaddenNFLgames on all mainstream consoles, even those that are starting to show their age. In 2016, for example, the company decided to port that year’sMadden NFLgame to PS3 and Xbox 360, in spite of the fact that the two systems were completely outdated at the time. It seems this habit of EA’s may be coming to an end, however.
This week, EA revealed that2025’s upcomingMaddengame,Madden NFL 26, will not be released on last-generation consoles (namely the PS4 and Xbox One). Instead, it will only come out on the PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. This means thatMadden NFL 26will be the first game in the entire franchise that won’t be available on a PS4 or Xbox One in nearly 12 years. This is a big deal, as it suggests that EA is finally starting to move on from Sony and Microsoft’s legacy consoles. Frankly, it’s about time that Activision starts doing the same with itsCall of Dutyseries.
Call of Duty Should Move On from Last-Generation Consoles, Just Like Madden NFL
Activision Has Often Ported Call of Duty Games to as Many Platforms as Possible
Call of Dutyis one of the world’s biggest video game franchises, in large part due to its widespread availability on multiple consoles. From the mid-to-late 2000s, ActivisionreleasedCall of Dutygames on basically anything that had a screen, evensystems as under-powered as the Nintendo DS. These days, the company still develops games for older and weaker consoles. The latestCall of Dutyinstallment, 2024’sCall of Duty: Black Ops 6, was released on PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This is despite the fact that Activision’s new parent company, Microsoft, stated a few years ago that it would no longer support systems like the Xbox One.
The first and lastMadden NFLgames on PS4 and Xbox One are, ironically enough, both calledMadden NFL 25. The firstMadden NFL 25came out in 2013 in commemoration ofMadden’s 25th anniversary, while the second one was released last year.
This Year’s Call of Duty Game is Apparently Going to Come to PS4 and Xbox One
Apparently, Activision is still interested in bringing itsCall of Dutygames to last-gen consoles. According to a report from CharlieIntel earlier this year, 2025’s upcomingCall of Dutygame isgoing to be released on PS4 and Xbox Onein addition to current-gen systems. The as-of-yet unannounced title is reportedly going to be a sequel toCall of Duty: Black Ops 2, and it should be unveiled by Activision and Microsoft in the coming weeks. Fans will, therefore, not have to wait too long to see if this rumor is actually credible.
If this year’sCall of Dutygame really does come out on PS4 and Xbox One, it won’t really be that surprising. Despite being over a decade old, the last-generation systems still have sizable install bases. The PS4, in particular, has roughly49 million monthly active users, at least as of April 2024. From a business standpoint, it makes sense why Activision and Microsoft would still want to support these older platforms. However, there is a major downside to this entire situation.
Last-Gen Consoles Are Holding the Call of Duty Franchise Back
Since theCall of Dutygames are being ported to aging systems, their developers cannot push too many technical boundaries. Otherwise, they won’t be able to run on those platforms. This strategy frankly holdsCall of Dutyback from its true potential. If theCall of Dutygames were developed exclusively for current-gen consoles, they would likely look far better graphics-wise. Their developers could also add new features, like the ability to simultaneously havetwo big maps inCall of Duty: Warzone, if they were to take this route. The PS4 and Xbox One are preventing theCall of Dutyfranchise from developing technically, but if the series follows inMadden NFL’s footsteps, it could improve significantly over time.
Madden NFL 25
WHERE TO PLAY
FRANCHISE IMMERSIONRecharged Franchise mode provides a rebuilt NFL Draft experience featuring Roger Goodell, team and rookie records, new environments, personalized storylines, more ways to customize your NFL team and season, a fresh Super Bowl celebration experience, and Franchise Central with simplified league creation tools and more information at your fingertips so you can drive your Franchise to victory.LIVE UPDATES IN ULTIMATE TEAM & SUPERSTARNew rewards, feature releases, themed programs, and the ability to customize your style and skills in Superstar bring refreshed experiences across Ultimate Team™ and live game modes.PLAYBOOK EXPANSIONEvolve your strategy with a brand new set of featured plays, from some of the game’s most inventive team playbooks.TEAM BUILDERCreate your own NFL franchise using Team Builder, a web-based customization tool that allows you to design a team that perfectly matches your style.Team Builder content can be used in Franchise mode. Internet connection & EA account required. Applicable platform account may be required. Age restrictions may apply.
