EA Sports' football powerhouse will be among the launch titles for the Nintendo DS. For releases in previous years, all that gamers could expect from a new version were slightly updated graphics, new rosters, and a tweak in the gameplay here or there. However, brand-new hardware, a new kind of user interface, and other features exclusive to the DS will make this game something much more than a rehash; what we'll see with Madden 2005 for the DS could be the start of a new portable football revolution.

Unlike in the Game Boy versions, where the on-field action was all in a 2D environment, the DS will have players in full 3D, looking much like the N64 versions of the game. With that comes a new sense of depth to pocket football, which will make for a more enjoyable experience on the go. While there isn't enough power in the system to get those realistic faces attached to the bodies running around, it's still quite an achievement for a handheld. Also, the game will only look better every year after the first. All the major gameplay we're used to will be displayed on the upper screen of the DS. The traditional Madden Cam view behind the offense is the preferred view for playing football in 3D, and it's moved over quite well.

With the six action buttons on the DS, passing plays can finally be used as effectively as they are in the console versions. You can finally have a five-receiver set and be able to pass to any one of them with a single button press, with one extra button available to you for good measure. The primary function of the lower screen during a play serves as a full-field radar, with Xs and Os depicting players and corresponding button icons for each receiver. If you see an open WR down field and on your radar, a simple button will heave the ball his way, hopefully resulting in a completion. The radar will be complete with those TV-style colored scrimmage and first-down lines, yardage markers, and team end-zone graphics.

Ah, but what about this touch screen feature the DS has? Well, Madden will take advantage of it in some obvious ways, the most of which is being able select formations and plays between downs with a touch. The areas to select plays and such appear to be plenty big enough to press with the tip of your finger, which should make things go more smoothly with no stylus getting in the way. In addition play calling between downs, you can also use the touch screen to audible on the line of scrimmage. The nice thing about this is that you can see the plays available to you, meaning you can get a visual idea of the play you're changing to versus the defense that's out on the field. The screen will also display other information that usually gets tucked in the corner of the main screen, such as kicking gauges and such. It will also be used to control instant replays, with clear button prompts on the bottom and the replay action on top.

Quite possibly the biggest selling point for the DS version of Madden 2005 will be the wireless head-to-head gameplay. If you and a buddy are in the same area and want get ready for some football, it's as easy as flipping a coin. With no more link cables or close quarters necessary to engage in multi-player portable pigskin, it opens up the possibility for the game to be a lot more accessible to more people to play against other humans. Although the 2005 version only takes advantage of the short-range networking feature of the DS, down the road it might very well be possible that EA takes the series online via wireless internet. What we're getting this year might be a precursor for bigger and better things to come.

Even with all the new features that the Nintendo DS has, when Madden is released for the system, it's still going to be a football game. All the traditional Madden modes will be in there, including a full Season mode, detailed player attributes (stat junkies beware...two screens means twice the information available to you at once), and new modes like Situation and 2-Minute Drill. It's going to be a fresh and exciting new take on a football game, and it will be available for the launch of the Nintendo DS on November 21.