Ever since I have been playing MLB on my Vita I have been looking forward
to what EA was going to do for Madden on the Vita. would we have a full
blown version of Madden 13 on the Vita? would we have cross play
functionality? Would EA offer a combo package like Sony did for MLB the
Show? I finally got my answers last week when I downloaded Madden
digitally from PSN. unfortunately they didn’t offer any special combo
prices, nor did they include cross-platform features. That means that I
couldn’t continue my Bengals franchise on the go like I can do with My
Reds franchise from the Show.

Being what it was, I was still excited for Madden 13 on the Vita, I was
excited to be able to play Madden on the go.

Madden 13 on the Vita is actually Madden 12.5, meaning that it is using
the Madden 12 engine but updated rosters and stats. The graphics are
pretty damn good I think and look great on the Vita’s vibrant screen.
There is some choppiness and lag at times during play calling and instant
replays, this was also in the demo and I was hoping it would be gone in
the retail version, unfortunately it was still there.

Game play is pretty solid. It has all the plays and all the players.
There are no referees though on the field. The controls are same as the
console version with some additions to using the touch screen, both rear
and front. You can change players routes by dragging your finger on the
front screen to create a new route. You can also use the front screen to
change your defensive cover and offensive sets. This is actually pretty
intuitive and easy to use. The action can get a little too much at
times with that little screen and sometimes its a little hard to see
whats going on.

EA has included a few game modes into the Vita version, regular
franchise and exhibition game and has included online functionality. The
online games run pretty smooth, hardly any lag and no hiccups. It has
been pretty solid so far playing other opponents online.

The Vita is by no means a substitute for the console version. It is more
for those people who want to play a quick game of Madden and not having
to be tied to their TV while family members wait for them to be done so
they can watch TV. Let them watch TV and play your Madden at the same
time!