The Way John Madden Would Have Played

Madden 23 is here! As they do every year, Madden has made several changes to the gameplay, settings, and features that Madden fans will want to be familiar with when picking up the new game. Being the controller gurus we are, KF, we figured out where the control pain points are and the new features you will want to know about. Huddle up as we share a few tips to help you get started playing Madden 23!

Make Sure You're Geared Up

Before you even boot up Madden 23, make sure you have the essentials. We suggest outfitting your favorite controller with a pair of KontrolFreek Performance Grips (in the color of your choice, of course) to reduce slippage when you're running interference or working toward a field goal. They offer optimal superior grip and comfort, and stick to your controller without leaving any sort of sticky residue, while wicking moisture away. With these bad boys on your controller, you'll be sure to improve your game.

Also, while you're at it, try on a pair of our KontrolFreek Performance Thumbsticks. They attach easily to your controller's thumbsticks and offer exceptional grip with some added height. With 145% more surface area compared to stock sticks, you get additional support and comfort, which leads to more games you can add to your winning streak. The tried-and-true thumbsticks that we recommend for Madden players are Omni or CQC Rush.

And if you’re ready for advanced controller upgrades, keep reading to learn how KontrolFreek Precision Rings can completely change your offensive game with the new passing system.

Game Options

Starting off with Coin Toss Choices, we recommended setting these to KICK and AGAINST WIND.

Passing Type is going to be personally preference, with CLASSIC, being the preferred choice for most returning players. However, we love the new Placement and Accuracy passing systems that offers more control over the new passing radius system, which we explain further down below.

Defensive Options

Tackling has been upgraded in Madden 23 and is now more important and useful than ever. Hit everything is now the name of the game on defense, and your AI defenders will help finish tackles more often and effectively. In your Game Options, we recommend turning on Auto Flip Defensive Play Call, as this will let the computer flip your play to best match the offensive formation. We also recommend turning on Defensive Ball Hawk, which enables you to hold triangle to hound the incoming pass with defenders, which will lead to more interceptions. Turning Defensive Heat Seeker Assist on will also make your user-controlled defenders track opponents more accurately when the ball is coming. Tackle Battles are back and triggered when your runner gets locked up by a defender. Simply mash the required button to try to win the tackle battle, but remember the ball can be stripped while doing so.

New Passing System

The game now shows you the catch radius of your receivers and where you can land a pass. Additionally, if you press the left trigger, you can move the pass reticle outside of the catch radius. This means that you now can lead receivers and make other types of throws that you couldn’t in previous Madden games.

Here’s where those KontrolFreek Precision Rings come in handy. With those on your thumbsticks, you can turn up the Free-Form Reticle Speed in your game options, which will allow you to flick the thumbstick in the direction that you want to lead your receiver without fearing that you will overthrow your target, because the cushioning of the Precision Rings prevents overadjustment. Being able to throw more customizable passes quicker and with greater accuracy will make the difference between Touchdown and Interception if you can master this skill!

Precise 360 Cuts

When running with the ball carrier, you can press the left trigger to do a Hard Plant and quickly change the direction of your run. If you are running in to a wall of defenders, a quick cut can turn a loss into a big gain. With KontrolFreek Performance Thumbsticks on your controller, you can reliably make precise cuts around oncoming tacklers with ease!

Winning on the field often comes down to having the right equipment and this is no less true when you are playing on your couch or gaming chair at home. Upgrade your controller with KontrolFreek Performance Thumbsticks, KontrolFreek Performance Grips, and KontrolFreek Precision Rings to give yourself the best advantage over your opponents in Madden 23!

If you are looking for more controller tips for your favorite games, check out our other KontrolFreek Blogs. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to stay up to date on the latest gaming content and join our Twitch streams for opportunities to win free KontrolFreek and SteelSeries products!