When it comes to sports sims, very few boast the longevity that the Madden NFL video game franchise does. Initially released as "John Madden Football" from 1988 through 1993, Madden NFL has been an annual fixture in gaming for as long as most of us remember. The franchise literally predates most of the best-selling consoles of all time. You'll have to go all the way back to the days of the original Nintendo Entertainment System, otherwise known as the Famicom, for a popular console older than it is. And, one good reason why Madden NFL has had the staying power that it does is because of its massive fanbase.
Every Madden NFL entry sells millions upon millions of copies at launch, which is good for more than 130 million units sold throughout its lifetime. The series peaked with Madden NFL 07, selling 7.7 million units in the USA alone, as it set a still-recognized record by the World Guinness Records. Although if you ask every fan, they'll tell you that Madden 2004 was the best title in the franchise ever.
The Madden franchise has clesrly cemented itself as a gaming staple for decades. But what if, instead of buying each new iteration, you had invested that $60 in EA stock every year? You may be surprised at how much richer you could be today.
Rather than debating the best Madden game or features, let's talk finances. If you took the cost of a new Madden every year and bought EA stock instead, how much money would you have now? Some call each new Madden a mere reskin until the next console generation. But EA's revenue suggests players keep coming back.