GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

How to Play Madden NFL 16 Right Now on Xbox One

The game's 10-hour pre-release trial is available now through EA Access.

By Eddie Makuch on August 20, 2015 at 10:15AM PDT

Professional football game Madden NFL 16 doesn't officially launch until August 25, but you can play it starting today, August 20, provided you have an Xbox One and an EA Access membership.

The game's 10-hour trial is available now through the subscription program on Microsoft's console. Though playtime is capped, you do get access to the full version of Madden NFL 16, as opposed to just a slice as is typical in traditional demos.

Should you decide you want to buy the full Madden NFL 16, you may be happy to learn that all progress from the pre-release period will carry forward to the full game. What's more, your EA Access membership grants you a 10-percent discount, meaning you can get it for $54 instead of $60 if you buy from the Xbox store.

No Caption Provided

EA Access is currently available only for Xbox One, a point that EA boss Peter Moore stressed recently in an interview with GameSpot.

Madden NFL 16 will launch next week for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4. EA Sports recently announced the game's soundtrack, which trades stadium anthems for new artists and music.

In other Madden NFL 16 news, a 1 TB Xbox One bundle featuring the game and a 12-month EA Access membership is now available for $400 at retailers everywhere. The copy of Madden NFL 16 included with the package, however, will not unlock until August 25.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

View Comments (27)

Join the conversation

There are 27 comments about this story

27 Comments RefreshSorted By

GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Please Log In to post.

227

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

im so happy i paid a sub for a early demo for game i was am going to buy anyway. man i wish all games i was going to buy had a sub fee for the demo.

Upvote • 9 years ago

2193

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@Dcyple3000: Wow you do know that the sub gives you a lot more than that right? Wait what am I saying, of course you know since you are a subscriber of EA Access.

Upvote • 9 years ago

221

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

They mention a lot of requirements that surely will help someone play this early but I think they forgot the most important first step...

That is #1 be a big enough loser to care about a new sports game to begin with.

Upvote • 9 years ago

221

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

They mention a lot of requirements that surely will help someone play this early but I think they forgot the most important first step...

That is #1 be a big enough loser to care about a new sports game to begin with.

Upvote • 9 years ago

310

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

F**k Madden for two reasons:

I'm a Steeler fan and we never had a lone feature, If you know the history you'll understand why.

I'm not paying for the same game every year with only the roster being updated.

Upvote • 9 years ago

120

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

If you skipped Madden 15 OR MORE and debated to buy a Madden, I would recommend Madden 16 for sure. However, If you have Madden 15 (and want to get Madden 16 because it's newer) wait for a price drop. If you can find it for $50 instead of $60, go for it.

Loving the demo though. Connected Franchise mode is better than previous ones in my opinion... They just need to add a story like the NBA 2K series has been doing lol

Upvote • 9 years ago

63

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

It's not just the same game!!!!! New Browns unis. Some people love Madden, and I am one of them. Can't wait.

Upvote • 9 years ago

432

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Only downloading it to get some achievements lol

Upvote • 9 years ago

40

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Dave67

Downloading the demo now and looking forward to giving it a go.

Upvote • 9 years ago

120

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

To those people saying it's the same as 15, 14, 25, 13, etc, are incorrect. I played this game for 3 hours last night, and this one feels like a real football game. Graphics are nice, New Controller mechanics for Offense AND Defense make it awesome. Some sick catches are added and the Connected Franchise mode is changed for the better. Now I am one of those people that doesn't like to buy every years Madden, but this year is worth it in my eyes. I am very impressed with this years installment

Upvote • 9 years ago

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@Bazongaman502: This sounds like one of those people EA pays to go on forums to hype up their derivative yearly garbage.

Upvote • 9 years ago

310

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 5

@Thanatos2k: He is.

Upvote • 9 years ago

120

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k: LOL xD I promise, I don't work for them. I only like Battlefield and Madden from them. Everything else is meh to me haha

Upvote • 9 years ago

97

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Bazongaman502: "Graphics are nice, New Controller mechanics for Offense AND Defense make it awesome." Thats exactly the kind of talk that would lead me to think you work for EA....lol all jokes aside you said some sick catches are added? You mean like when the MLB becomes Lebron and intercepts a pass with his back turned? ehhhhh Madden literally has the same effect every year. You buy it and for maybe the first few weeks its amazing but after that you see it for what it really is, the same game over and over again

Upvote • 9 years ago

120

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@kennypowers24: LOL xD I promise, I don't work for them. I only like Battlefield and Madden from them. Everything else is meh to me haha. No, what I mean by sick catches is like OBJs catch that went internet famous all of last season. You can now have your players go for "Aggressive Catches", "Conservative Catches" or "Catches where they can easily turn up field if wide open". On the defensive side, your player can either "Play the Ball" or "Play the Field". By playing the ball, they will try for an interception. By playing the field, they focus on getting the tackle to stop a possible first down.

One big bonus that I like that this Madden has added more common flags. All the previous games, per every flag that gets thrown, they missed 50. Now, they are called often when correct. Hardly ever say "Defensive Holding" called in any other Madden, but in this one, 3 were called in just my first game.

The game itself feels like a true football game. If you have Madden 15, I would say wait for a small pricedrop. But if you skipped 15 (or even more), this would be a great time to pick one up.

1 Negative though: The opening tutorial has the Steelers vs Cardinals in Super Bowl 50.... Steelers could make it.... Cardinals wont lol

Upvote • 9 years ago

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

It's actually really easy to play Madden 16 on Xbox One right now. Just start up Madden 15. Or Madden 14. Or Madden 13.....

Upvote • 9 years ago

227

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k: +10000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Upvote • 9 years ago

93

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 8

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k: Haha. Yep.

Upvote • 9 years ago

424

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By zyxahn

@Thanatos2k: Some people can't just laugh. Who cares whether it's on the system or not. Over analyzing jokes makes them not funny no matter what it is.

Upvote • 9 years ago

Wendopolis_Bruh

475

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Wendopolis_Bruh

@Thanatos2k: Hahahahaha *Like*, no, better yet, *Love*

Upvote • 9 years ago

964

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k: Madden 13 isn't on the Xbox One and Madden 14 was called "Madden 25" duuuuuhhhh lol

Upvote • 9 years ago

17660

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

@moose-fitz: "Madden 13 isn't on the Xbox One"

Backwards compatibility

Upvote • 9 years ago

964

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

@Thanatos2k: great point. It may definitely become backwards compatible.

Upvote • 9 years ago

3655

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

"The copy of Madden NFL 16 included with the package, however, will not unlock until August 25."

Yet you are forgetting the bundle also comes with a year subscription to EA Access (even though you do mention it in the previous sentence), meaning they can unlock and play the game using that prior to launch. It does not mean they have the game and cannot play until Tuesday as your wording implies.

Upvote • 9 years ago

564

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I really like EA Access. You get ten hours but you can still use those ten hours after the game comes out, which is really nice if you're busy during those five days before.

Upvote • 9 years ago

343

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Awesome thanks EA ACCESS 10hrs is all i need to determine whether i buy Madden 16

Upvote • 9 years ago

Use your keyboard!

ESC

Log in to comment