After an initial delay, fans finally got their first look at the next iteration in the Madden NFL series of sports games, Madden NFL 21, with a trailer that showed off some of the game's major players and new features.
EA, naturally, also confirmed that there are three editions of Madden NFL 21 that fans can pre-order right now, all three of which featuring NFL star Lamar Jackson as the cover star. These editions are titled the Standard, Deluxe, and MVP editions, with the latter two offering extra content compared to the Standard version.
The Standard edition, which is priced at $59.99, comes with 1 of 32 Players from NFL Team Elite Packs, 5 Madden Ultimate Team Gold Team Fantasy Packs, and 1 "Your Choice" Uniform Pack.
The Deluxe edition also has the Uniform Pack and NFL Team Elite Pack offers, but will come with 12 Madden Ultimate Team Gold Team Fantasy Packs, as well as 3-Day Early Access to the game. This edition costs $79.99.
Lastly, the MVP edition has the most content and will cost $99.99. Like the other two, it has the same Uniform Pack and NFL Team Elite Pack offer, and the Deluxe edition's 3-Day Early Access. However, that's alongside a grand 17 Madden Ultimate Team Gold Team Fantasy Packs, a Madden Championship Series Ultimate Champion Pack, a Large Quicksell Training Pack and a Lamar Jackson Elite Item with Power Up.
Below is a simplified break-down:
Standard Edition - $59.99:
- 1 of 32 Players from NFL Team Elite Packs
- 5 Madden Ultimate Team Gold Team Fantasy Packs
- 1 “Your Choice” Uniform Pack
Deluxe Edition - $79.99:
- 3-Day Early Access to Madden NFL 21
- 12 Madden Ultimate Team Gold Team Fantasy Packs
- 1 of 32 Players from NFL Team Elite Packs
- 1 “Your Choice” Uniform Pack
MVP Edition - $99.99:
- 3-Day Early Access to Madden NFL 21
- Lamar Jackson Elite Item with Power Up
- 1 Large Quicksell Training Pack
- 17 Madden Ultimate Team Gold Team Fantasy Packs
- Madden Championship Series Ultimate Champion Pack
- 1 of 32 Players from NFL Team Elite Packs
- 1 “Your Choice” Uniform Pack
However, anyone who pre-orders the game from Best Buy, regardless of edition, will receive a Lamar Jackson Funko Pop as well, but only for physical copies of the game.
The listings don't provide nay images for the Funko Pop, but it's likely the one that is available at other retailers, or at least one similar to it.
While numerous special editions are nothing new, EA could draw ire and criticism from fans for continuing the practice. Some fans already have low expectations for the game, as they believe that it won't be addressing the issues they had with the previous game.
Last month, EA also received backlash from its audience when it confirmed that it wouldn't be supporting Microsoft's Smart Delivery system and will instead offer its own deal to players who wish to upgrade their Xbox One copy to a Xbox Series X one.
EA's harshest critics may wish that another publisher obtains the license to make NFL games instead, but with EA renewing its exclusivity deal very recently, that's not likely to happen any time soon.
Madden NFL 21 will release for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on August 28th, with PlayStation 5, Stadia, and Xbox Series X releases planned for later in the year.