What comes in the Madden NFL 25 Standard Edition?

With the release of Madden NFL 25 just around the corner, many players are wondering what sets it apart from Madden NFL 24. Since the franchise's debut in 1990 with John Madden Football, Madden games have seen yearly updates, though the extent of changes from one version to the next can vary. Some years bring significant overhauls, while others feel like little more than a roster update. Fortunately, it appears that Madden NFL 25 is bringing some meaningful improvements to the gameplay experience.

What comes in the Madden NFL 25 Standard Edition?

Some gamers might feel the need to splurge on a pricey edition of a game before its release, but even the Standard Edition often comes with valuable bonuses. The most affordable version of Madden NFL 25 offers a solid set of extras that can benefit both casual and serious players alike. One advantage of the Standard Edition is that it's available in physical disc format.

This means if players decide they prefer College Football 25 or another sports game, it won’t be hard to find a Madden enthusiast interested in buying a copy. For those on PS4, the game includes a free upgrade to PS5 for enhanced graphics, and the Xbox Series X disc is compatible with Xbox One. Christian McCaffrey, one of the most dynamic athletes in sports, graces the cover of Madden NFL 25.

To mark the occasion, Standard Edition buyers will receive either a McCaffrey card or an upgrade to use in Ultimate Team mode. Additionally, two strategy items are included to boost specific player ratings in MUT. Players who choose the most budget-friendly edition will also benefit from an XP boost, making leveling up in MUT more manageable.

Lastly, while it may not impact gameplay, the Superstar Drip Gear—a unique uniform and gear set—adds some flair to your on-field appearance. Below is a full breakdown of the bonuses included:

• Cover Athlete Elite Player Item

• Choice of 2 Strategy Items

• Superstar Drip Gear

• Legendary XP Boost

Can Madden NFL 25 be played before the August 16th release date?

If gamers pre-ordered Madden 25's Deluxe Edition before August 15 at noon ET, one of the pre-order bonuses is early access to the full game. For those who have already pre-ordered and are waiting for early access, it became available for Xbox users at 5 p.m. ET on August 12. However, it was slightly delayed for PlayStation users. Despite this, early access wasn't guaranteed for anyone before midnight on August 12.

The official release date for Madden NFL 25 is Friday, August 16, 2024, but depending on their time zone, players might be able to start playing as early as August 15. Since the game releases at midnight Eastern Time, players in earlier time zones will get to jump into the action on Thursday night.

What pre-order bonuses come with Madden NFL 25?

All players who pre-order Madden NFL 25 will receive several bonuses for both Ultimate Team and Superstar modes. For Ultimate Team, players are rewarded with an Elite Player version of Christian McCaffrey. They also get to choose two Strategy Items—one for Offense and one for Defense—that help expand their Ultimate Team’s playbook.

In Superstar mode, the pre-order bonuses include the exclusive Superstar Drip gear and a Legendary XP Boost. The Legendary XP Boost, the strongest XP accelerator in the game, helps players level up their Superstar athlete more quickly. The Superstar Drip gear, featuring a jersey that appears to be dripping gold, is only available in the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game.

Additionally, there are a few pre-order bonuses exclusive to Madden NFL 25’s Deluxe Edition. First, players get Early Access, allowing them to start playing on August 13th. Second, the Deluxe Edition comes with 4,600 Madden Points, the game’s in-game currency. While these Madden Points are listed as a pre-order bonus on EA’s site, players will likely still be able to get them in the Deluxe Edition post-launch.