Retail Radar: Madden se habla español

GameStop lists Spanish-language versions of Electronic Arts' latest gridiron game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360.

While NFL Football doesn't have the massive international appeal of actual football (some call it soccer), it's far from an English-only pursuit. The NFL itself clearly recognizes this, as evidenced by the league's Spanish-language NFL Mexico and NFLatino Web sites.

If new listings on Amazon.com and GameStop.com are any indication, some of the NFL's licensing partners are getting the message as well. Both online stores are now listing Madden NFL 08 en Español for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, with copies of the game expected to arrive on November 13. (GameStop has since pulled its listings.) Given Madden NFL 08's lack of foreign-language options in the US, such a product would allow Spanish-speaking NFL fans to enjoy a game with menus they can actually read, and perhaps new play-by-play commentary as well.

US publishers haven't made a habit of releasing separate Spanish-language versions of their games domestically in the past, so the games would carry some measure of risk for EA. Given that the game is only being listed on the PS2 and Xbox 360, it suggests that EA is taking a cautious approach to a possible Madden NFL 08 en Español release. Picking the two active consoles with the largest installed user bases maximizes the potential market without committing the resources needed to prepare Español counterparts for systems where they might not make their money back.

As of press time, Electronic Arts had not returned GameSpot's request for comment.

Please note, while retailer listings frequently jump the gun on publishers' product announcements, they should not be taken as final confirmation of a game's existence; nor should the absence of a listing be considered as proof that a game isn't coming to a given platform.

177 Comments

  • Juanse23

    Posted Feb 14, 2008 2:29 pm PT

    Q bien

  • Mattietyke

    Posted Dec 11, 2007 4:48 pm PT

    Well, I am actually very excited that this is coming out in Spanish with Spanish audio. I know some people would like to be able to select an option that allows Spanish/English audio, but this would have a lot of unused files on a game, especially if it ever gets released as a PC game. While I am not a Latin American, I still love the Spanish language and I would like to see how the sport would be broadcast and played in Spanish. Link to the official Spanish site for the game: http://www.easports.com/maddennfl/es/

    (edited to remove Spanish, as I forgot it was not allowed. Sorry)

  • Shiftus

    Posted Oct 20, 2007 12:42 pm PT

    I wonder if the Madden curse will strike Castillo too...

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Sep 6, 2007 3:38 pm PT

    OmegaNemesis28 you hit the nail on the head with both comments! Osxgp you seem to miss why so many are angry over this, you need to look beyond profits.

    danielobscuro you are not allowed to post in any language but english on this site.

  • osxgp

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 12:22 am PT

    Unholy_Smite and lamprey263 seem to be on a quest to argue about everything beyond this article. Don't let this turn into a political debate people. This is just a way for EA to make more money by extending to a larger audience. Don't get so upset.

  • osxgp

    Posted Sep 5, 2007 12:12 am PT

    Would the announcers yell "GOOOAAALLLL" with every touchdown like they do in Soccer?

  • OmegaNemesis28

    Posted Sep 4, 2007 8:27 pm PT

    Seriously, EA is total **** They release beta crap to us that seriously arent even fun any more. I want to be able to control my players first off, and then be able to actually play without any glitches.

    What video haven't I seen where you can change the language in the options? All the time, but now they are going to make separate versions? You're pathetic EA, simple pathetic.

  • ZetaBlanco

    Posted Sep 3, 2007 2:38 pm PT

    I am mexican, but for american sports like football I prefer english spoken play-by-play comments, It is better to hear the original words for the football terms that the mexican custom made words (like "mariscal de campo" instead of "quarterback")

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Sep 2, 2007 11:05 pm PT

    latinqueen they could easily have added that option into the english version without having to go thru the hassle of re-releasing the game. And unlike popular belief most hispanics do understand english.

  • latinqueen221

    Posted Sep 2, 2007 4:40 pm PT

    While I dont play any sports games whatsoever, I think it's great that they are releasing a spanish version of the game for those who might not understand english so well. Though I'm sure this is all a ploy to increase profits for themselves by marketing to the spanish speaking gamers in the USA.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 2:45 pm PT

    Mordamir I think EA has more misunderstood the american market, I am sick of this view that all Hispanics don't speak english and the only way to get them is to do it in spanish, somebody may want to set them straight on that. Hispanics in large parts speak english and have no issue getting their stuff in english IF you direct it at them in english, thing is most don't. This is for hispanics living in the USA! Mexico is another story.

    se habla espanol? I think that You speak spanish or do you speak spanish...I think they mean Madden Do you speak spanish or Madden you speak spanish.

  • Mordamir

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 3:50 am PT

    I don't mind playing games in English, in fact, I rather play them in their original language, that's why sometimes I play some of them in Japanese (which I almost completely understand as well), but if EA brings games spoken in Spanish from Spain they would have completely misunderstood the market... in Latinamerica we don't feel comfortable with that particular accent... BTW, could anybody at Gamespot at least get it right? what's "Madden se habla español" supposed to mean?

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 5:19 pm PT

    Good for them.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 4:13 pm PT

    @lamprey263 National unity isn't something that can be done easily, it would take time. With america becoming more diverse and having seen more than a few racial fueled issues between mexicans and blacks it is clear there is a problem here very few are willing to admitt. With america so diverse it is important we understand each other, english is they best way for this. Also don't diss spain, afterall spainish is their language.

  • lamprey263

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 11:24 am PT

    @dransquo - yeah, those Spaniards sound like they speak with a lisp, @unholy_smite - national unity isn't an absolute that can be qualified

  • dransquo

    Posted Aug 31, 2007 10:14 am PT

    In Mexico many gamers prefer a video game in English, not because they like to hear English and not Spanish but because some video games companies send to Mexico video games in Spain Spanish (Spanish spoken in Spain) not Latinamerican or Mexican Spanish, I mean the accent, Spaniards don't feel comfortable hearing Mexican Spanish and vice versa. Now, things seems to change, some video games (especially those from MS) are in Mexican Spanish, like Gears of War who uses very well-spoken Spanish . When a video game is not in Latinamerican or Mexican Spanish gamers here prefer English version instead of Spain version. btw, most Mexican gamers at least read English. [I'm not good writing in English ;-)]

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 9:52 pm PT

    As for national unity, that's a pipe dream there buddy. Language is probably one of many things we can ignore as there's lots of other really hot topics on the table;
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    National untiy is a pipe dream? Scary. Lets just let racism and hatred run wild. United we stand divided we fall, remember that. We can't ignore people being divided by language.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 9:44 pm PT

    Not sure if Unholy_Smite is actually saying that people prefer English over another language if said people are multi-lingual, however I can see where his/her argument can be construed that way.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I never said that, that other guy just chose to interpet it that way to attack me. Everything I said is true, 92% of americans speak english, 1.8 billion speak it, 53 countries have it as their official language and is enjoyed in many others. These are facts not baseless claims.

    @lamprey263 First of all you need to STOP putting words in people's mouths and actually understand what they said before you comment on it! Your post was WAAAAAYYYYY off and at best showed you didn't actually read a word I said.

  • alberto2045

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 7:54 pm PT

    well that something new lol at least they ar esmart enough to get the game in one more lenguage imagine what the Final Fantasy SEries would be with a lot of lenguages spoken in it!!! it would be so awsome, that was a pretty nice move by them I hope other companies get their games out in more lenguages

  • PacoL250

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 7:52 pm PT

    I'm surprised there aren't more posts than this, heh.

    @lamprey263: This is true. While I prefer English over Gujarati (a major language in India, FYI), my cousin, while born here, doesn't. Not sure if Unholy_Smite is actually saying that people prefer English over another language if said people are multi-lingual, however I can see where his/her argument can be construed that way.

    @YukoAsho: I didn't actually think Madden was sold anywhere else besides say North America and possibly European countries and Australia.

    As for GameStop/EB Games, last I checked, they still had in their system (at least at my local store).

  • YukoAsho

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 7:33 pm PT

    Actually, Madden IS sold in other countries:

    http://www.japan.ea.com/teaser.phtml?ProductCode=15568EMX2JP

  • lamprey263

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 6:21 pm PT

    Unholy_Smite, first off you need stop thinking that just because someone is bilingual that English is automatically their language of preference. That's very arrogant and signifies your beliefs that English is a superior language, and that in consequence is belittling of other cultures. Sure, historically Theodore Roosevelt declared that there was only room for one language in the United States (and that being English), but he was also a staunch supporter of the eugenics movement. Do you know what the eugenics movement was about? As for national unity, that's a pipe dream there buddy. Language is probably one of many things we can ignore as there's lots of other really hot topics on the table; abortion vs pro-life; sex education and prevention; separation of church and state; private or socialized medicine; military spending; taxes; gay marriage; education; economy; stem cell research; civil rights; global warming; equality; legalize pot; Coke or Pepsi; PS3 or X360... the list goes on and on. Let's not forget there's a big fight about defining English itself.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 5:04 pm PT

    also gamespot needs to mention gamestop removed the game.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 5:02 pm PT

    tell me lamprey263...where have i done that?

  • lamprey263

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 4:39 pm PT

    nobody is being overtly racist, but there is such a thing as racism by proxy

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 4:15 pm PT

    did you say tecmo bowl? I loved that game, used to play it everyday before and after school. Early 90's....those were the days.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 4:13 pm PT

    @Unholy_Smite: True you have a point about what I said for Windows, but if I'm not mistaken, in Europe they have have one version has several language options; specifically for languages that are similar.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    well europe is a continent and we are a country, so that is different for us, if you look at each nation it maybe 1 language. MAYBE!

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I could be wrong about that however.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dunno, I don't have vista.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As for Madden for Spanish speaking countries, I bet this will be released in those areas. If not, well EA should. That would be sheer economic brilliance on their part.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Madden isn't released in other nations as far as I know, maybe this is nothing more than EA releasing it in other countries. Mexico would be logical because the NFL is huge down there, I have no issues there. In fact they NEED TO! I remember hating soccer, I playe winning eleven 8 I think and started to like soccer because for the first time I understood the rules. Video games help the popularity of sports by letting people play it to a small degree and learn the rules.. I am all for Madden in other nations, I am shocked it hasn't been.

  • PacoL250

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 4:04 pm PT

    @Unholy_Smite: I'll only get started to say that:

    Yes, there only humanity. And as a species, not even a race.
    And it's not race, it's culture that makes us different.

    Other than that, everybody is the same. It's the extreme views that try to dominate and tend to screw things up.

    Anyway, I'm done with this; I already have 2 papers due next week (say hello to grad-school) and I need a break...Tecmo Bowl on the Wii VC is begging to be played.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 4:02 pm PT

    I'm not being racist, I'm not a racist. I know Hispanic people, I have a number of Hispanic friends, all of which speak coherent English, are good Americans, and have parents who are all legal US citizens who pay their taxes and contribute to the economy. Not being racist, just being real.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I agree 100%! Nobody is being racist here, just some accuse us of that and nothing else. In fact all of the people I hung out with in college were mexican....and all spoke perfect english.

  • PacoL250

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 4:00 pm PT

    @Unholy_Smite: True you have a point about what I said for Windows, but if I'm not mistaken, in Europe they have have one version has several language options; specifically for languages that are similar.

    I could be wrong about that however.

    As for Madden for Spanish speaking countries, I bet this will be released in those areas. If not, well EA should. That would be sheer economic brilliance on their part.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:58 pm PT

    Need I elaborate anymore? Plus don't get me started on how race is just human construct...trust me, you don't want me to -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Get started! I agree with you, there is only 1 race, the human race!

  • PacoL250

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:58 pm PT

    @Erebus: Thank you for interjecting humor into this heated debate

    Logistically, I wonder how the announcing will be?

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:57 pm PT

    @Merodach: Are you calling everybody racist? Let's not go that far if you are. I don't care if there is just a Spanish-version of Madden. Honestly, to me this seems to be the same as having the various language versions of Windows around the world.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    But how many of those version of windows are for an american release? Nobody would complain if this madden was for mexico, but it's not.

  • Merodach

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:57 pm PT

    Then so be it til the death of us both Unholy

  • Erebus

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:56 pm PT

    GGOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:55 pm PT

    Simply put, to make communication that much easier and efficient.

    So let's not jump to making blanket statements saying people are racists just yet.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    2 very true statements. And english is our national language as passed by congress this june. And fyi, I never attacked him or anybody else.

  • PacoL250

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:55 pm PT

    And just so we're clear, from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:

    Racism
    Pronunciation: 'rA-"si-z&m also -"shi-
    Function: noun
    1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
    2 : racial prejudice or discrimination Also from the Oxford Dictionary at AskOxford:

    noun: 1 the belief that there are characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to each race. 2 discrimination against or antagonism towards other races.

    DERIVATIVES: racist noun & adjective.

    Need I elaborate anymore? Plus don't get me started on how race is just human construct...trust me, you don't want me to

  • PacoL250

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:49 pm PT

    @Merodach and Unholy_Smite: Play nice you two

    @Merodach: Are you calling everybody racist? Let's not go that far if you are. I don't care if there is just a Spanish-version of Madden. Honestly, to me this seems to be the same as having the various language versions of Windows around the world.

    The issue isn't as cut and dry as everybody would like to make it. My concern, and I'm sure this is plenty of others' concern, is that eventually, certain things will require another language besides English. Case in point, while I have a working knowledge of Spanish and can understand some and speak some, I can't apply for a job as a mental health counselor because Spanish is required for the job. What the problem I have with that is the position's geography is such that I know for a fact that the are has a very small Spanish-speaking population. Basically, I'm denied a possible job because I am not very fluent in Spanish.

    It's not wrong to ask as to why shouldn't people who come to the US at least have a working knowledge of English when that is the predominant language used by far. When my parents came to the US from India, back then, they were not very fluent in English. What did they do? They learned the language. If they had to do so, then at least shouldn't other immigrants be asked to have at least a minimal working knowledge?

    If other "developed countries" can have a national language, have it be the predominant language to communicate, the argument of "why can't the US?" is valid. And to give a reason as to why countries have a national language?

    Simply put, to make communication that much easier and efficient.

    So let's not jump to making blanket statements saying people are racists just yet.

  • Merodach

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:48 pm PT

    Thats right everyone against something as trivial as a spanish speaking video game is a racist, and I can say it when I want, to who I want and in whatever language I want to people like you as long as their is breath in this hot blooded AMERICAN body!!!

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:42 pm PT

    WRONG! I said this should be locked due to it becoming a flamefest NOT because some disagree. And you were the one calling everybody against this a racist, nobody attacked you.

  • Merodach

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:32 pm PT

    You did Unholy, you asked if this thread can be locked, after you freely gave your statements because of your concern about flaming, or in other words "differing opinions". I didnt call you a flamer when you responded to me, but oh no dont let someone respond with a different mind set, thats gotta be locked.

  • Merodach

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:20 pm PT

    Yes of course Unholy_Smite, its never racist to demand that people speak and think the way you do at the threat of having their expression locked.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:17 pm PT

    Can this article be locked? This is turning into a flamefest.

  • Unholy_Smite

    Posted Aug 30, 2007 3:12 pm PT

    PacoL250 about 92% of the US population speak english and about 80% of all immigrants do. English is not the official language but as of June this year congress passed a law making it our national one. Also 30 states have english laws on their books and more are looking into passing them, and also immigration reform does included required english language knowledge. So this seems rather a waste.

    Merdach their is nothing racist about supporting english to unite us, and I am NOT white.

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