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Basic Setup
1. With the power off, the host loads the game cartridge into their Nintendo DS system.
2. The host powers their system on, then taps on the "Warning" screen and then on the graphic for the game.
3. When the "Madden NFL 08" logo appears on the lower screen, tap anywhere on the lower screen to begin.
4. If this is the first time the host has played Madden NFL 08, the game will ask the host to select their favorite team...
4a. Teams are sorted alphabetically by team name and are accompanied by the team's logo.
4b. To change between teams, press left or right on the direction pad.
4c. When the host has highlighted the team they want to select, the host presses the "A" button.
4d. The game's menu system will now be themed to the selected team.
5. The host must select the control scheme for NFL "Play Now" BEFORE BEGINNING THE DOWNLOAD.
5a. At the main menu, the host taps "My Madden" (the middle option on the bottom row).
5b. The host taps "Settings" (the bottom option of the five).
5c. The host taps "User Settings" (the fifth option of the six).
5d. The host presses down on the direction pad to highlight "Control Mode" and then presses left or right on the direction pad to select a control scheme.
5e. The host taps the return arrow in the bottom right corner of the lower screen to save the setting.
5f. The host taps the return arrow in the bottom right corner of the lower screen two more times to return to the main menu.
Downloading
1. The host taps "Multi-Player" (the middle option on the top row).
2. The host then taps "Single-Card Play" (the bottom option of the four).
3. The game will ask, "Turn DS Wireless Communications on?" The host taps "YES" (the top option of the two) and then presses the "A" button.
4. The guest will power on their Nintendo DS system.
5. The guest taps on the "Warning" screen and then on the "DS Download Play" button.
6. When the graphic bar appears saying "Madden NFL 08", the guest taps on it.
7. The guest's DS system will ask "Would you like to download this software? Tap "Yes".
8. The host's DS system will ask "Play a game against ...?" ("..." would be the name of the guest's DS system).
9. The host taps "YES" (the top option of the two) and then presses the "A" button.
1. The host taps "Mini Games" (the far right option on the bottom row).
2. The host then taps "Paper Football" (the top option of the three).
3. The host then taps "Multiplayer" (the bottom option of the two).
4. The host then taps "Single-Card Play" (the bottom option of the three).
5. The game will ask, "Turn DS Wireless Communications on?" The host taps "YES" (the top option of the two) and then presses the "A" button.
6. The guest will power on their Nintendo DS system.
7. The guest taps on the "Warning" screen and then on the "DS Download Play" button.
8. When the graphic bar appears saying "Madden NFL 08", the guest taps on it.
9. The guest's DS system will ask "Would you like to download this software? Tap "Yes".
10. The host's DS system will ask "Play a game against ...?" ("..." would be the name of the guest's DS system).
11. The host taps "YES" (the top option of the two) and then presses the "A" button.
Game/Feature/Options Selection
1. The players will begin be selecting teams.
1a. Each of the two players can select either team (this is not where players choose which team they are on, just which teams are in the game).
1b. The team on the left will be the Away team and the team on the right will be the Home team.
1c. To select the Away team, either player can tap on the team logo on the left and then tap the up and down arrows above and below the team logo.
NOTE: Players can alternatively press up or down on the direction pad.
1d. To select the Home team, either player can tap on the team logo on the right and then tap the up and down arrows above and below the team logo.
NOTE: Players can alternatively press up or down on the direction pad.
1e. When both teams have been selected, either player can press the Start button to continue.
2. Next, players then decide which team they'll play on.
2a. If a player wants to play on the Away team, they can tap on the Away team's logo or press left on the direction pad.
2b. If a player wants to play on the Home team, they can tap on the Home team's logo or press right on the direction pad.
2c. If both players select the same team, they will play Co-op (cooperatively).
2d. If the players select different teams, they will play Vs (head-to-head).
2e. When both players have selected their teams, either player can press the "A" button to continue.
3. Players then participate in the coin toss, selection of direction, and who will kick and who will receive.
3a. The direction and strength of the wind will be displayed in the top left corner of the lower screen.
3b. For the coin toss, players tap on the coin's "Heads" or "Tails" side to call their shot.
3c. The player who wins the coin toss get to select: Defend to the left, Receive, Kick, or Defend to the Right.
3d. If the winning player selects to either kick or receive, the other player gets to select which direction they defend toward.
3e. If the winning player selects to which direction to defend toward, the other player gets to select whether they want to kick or receive.
1. When "Touch!" appears in the bottom center of the lower screen, the host taps anywhere on the lower screen.
2. The host then selects Classic Mode or Ultimate Mode by tapping on their choice on the left side of the lower screen.
3. The host first selects whether the game is won by scoring a set number of points or scoring the most points in a set number of possessions.
4. The default is to win by scoring a preset number of points ("Score" should be marked with an "X" near the top left corner of the lower screen).
5. To win by scoring the most points within a preset number of possessions, the host taps "Possessions" on the left side of the lower screen.
6. Once the win condition is set, the number of points or the number of possessions can be set to any number from 00 to 99 (the deault is 30).
7. To change the number, the host writes a new number over the numbers on the right side of the lower screen.
NOTE: Write the new tens digit over the old tens digit and write the new ones digit over the old ones digit.
8. The host then taps "Next" to enter the Paper Footballtutorial.
NOTE: To skip straight to the game, the host taps "Next" six additional times.
9. The host will then call Heads or Tails (for the coin flip to determine who goes first) by tapping the desired side of the coin on the lower screen.
Game Controls / How To Play
NFL "Play Now" - Touch Screen Control Scheme
1. Before The Snap - Offense
1a. Select a play: Tap on a category of play on the lower screen (or the up and down arrows to seek more categories to choose from).
1b. Select a play: When the play you want to use is on the screen, tap it.
1c. Select a play: To backup one level, tap "Back" in the bottom right corner of the lower screen or press the "B" button.
1d. Select a play: To flip a play (right-side to left-side and vice-versa), tap "Flip" near the bottom right corner of the lower screen (by "Back")
1e. Call an Audible: Tap the "A" in the bottom left corner of the touch screen, then tap the new play.
1f. Cancel an Audible: Tap "Cancel Audible" near the bottom centr of the touch screen.
1g. Look around the field: Press and hold the "L" button and "R" button and use the direction pad.
1h. Hot Route: Tap the "H.R." in the bottom right corner of the lower screen, press the button for the player whose route you'll change, and select the new route.
1i. Smart Route: Tap the "H.R." in the bottom right corner of the lower screen, press the button for the player whose route you'll change, and the tap the "Smart Route" icon (when applicable).
1j. Snap the ball: Press the "A" button ot tap thre lower screen.
2. Before The Snap - Defense
2a. Select a play: Tap on a category of play on the lower screen (or the up and down arrows to seek more categories to choose from).
2b. Select a play: When the play you want to use is on the screen, tap it.
2c. Select a play: To backup one level, tap "Back" in the bottom right corner of the lower screen or press the "B" button.
2d. Select a player: Tap on the player or press the "L" or "R" buttons.
2e. Reposition a player: Use the direction pad or press "X" (up), "B" (down), "Y" (left), or "A" (right).
2f. Secondary Shift: Tap "SS" on the middle right side of the lower screen.
2g. Shift The Defensive Live: Tap "LS" on the middle right side of the lower screen.
2h. Call an Audible: Tap the "A" in the bottom left corner of the touch screen, then tap the new play.
2i. Cancel an Audible: Tap "Cancel Audible" near the bottom centr of the touch screen.
3a. Run: Use the direction pad or press "X" (up), "B" (down), "Y" (left), or "A" (right).
3b. Sprint: Press the "L" button or the "R" button.
3c. Dive: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the top of the lower screen.
3d. Juke Left: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the left side of the lower screen.
3e. Juke Right: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the right side of the lower screen.
3f. Juke Back: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the bottom of the lower screen.
3g. Spin Left: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the bottom left corner of the lower screen.
3h. Spin Right: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the bottom right corner of the lower screen.
3i. Truck Stick Left: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the top left corner of the lower screen.
3j. Truck Stick Right: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the top right corner of the lower screen.
4a. Pass to a receiver: Press the button that corresponds to the correct receiver (the "A" or "B" or "Y" or "L" or "R" button).
4b. Scramble (after crossing the line of scrimmage): Use the direction pad.
4c. Slide: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the top of the lower screen.
NOTE: You can only Slide after hiding the Pass icons or after crossing the line of scrimmage.
5a. Automatically select the closest receiver: Press the "B" button.
5b. Jump / Catch the pass: Press the "X" button.
5c. Dive: Press the "Y" button.
6. Defense - After The Snap
6a. Run: Use the direction pad or press "X" (up), "B" (down), "Y" (left), or "A" (right).
6b. Automatically select the defender closest to the ball: Press the "L" button.
6c. Jump: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the top of the lower screen.
6d. Swat at the ball: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the top of the lower screen.
6e. Dive: Quickly draw a line with the stylus from the center of the lower screen toward the bottom of the lower screen.
7a. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the first step is to move the targeting arrow (using the direction pad) and then press the "A" button.
7b. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the second step is to set the Kick Meter.
7c. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the Kick Meter will begin charging up automatically to determine the power of the kick.
7d. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): when the Kick Meter reaches the desired power level, tap the Kick Meter or press the "A" button.
7e. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the Kick Meter will begin charging up automatically to determine the accuracy of the kick.
7f. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the closer the Kick Meter is to the center of the accurace area, the more accurate the kick.
7g. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): if the Kick Meter is outside of the accuracy area, the kick could end up almost anywhere.
7h. To receive a kick: to catch a kick, you only need to move the player to where the ball will land.
7i. To receive a kick: to run with the ball, use the direction pad (left, right, up, and down).
7j. To receive a kick: to call for a Fair Catch (you can't be tackeled, but you can't run), press the "X" button before the ball is caught.
7k. To receive a kick: for a Touchback (catch the ball in the endzone and place the ball on the 20 yard line), simply remain in the end zone.
NFL "Play Now" - Classic Control Scheme
1. Before The Snap - Offense
1a. Select a play: Tap on a category of play on the lower screen (or the up and down arrows to seek more categories to choose from).
1b. Select a play: When the play you want to use is on the screen, tap it.
1c. Select a play: To backup one level, tap "Back" in the bottom right corner of the lower screen or press the "B" button.
1d. Select a play: To flip a play (right-side to left-side and vice-versa), tap "Flip" near the bottom right corner of the lower screen (by "Back")
1e. Call an Audible: Tap the "A" in the bottom left corner of the touch screen, then tap the new play.
1f. Cancel an Audible: Tap "Cancel Audible" near the bottom centr of the touch screen or press the "B" button.
1g. Look around the field: Press and hold the "L" button to look left or the "R" button to look right .
1h. Hot Route: Tap the "H.R." in the bottom right corner of the lower screen, press the button for the player whose route you'll change, and select the new route.
1i. Smart Route: Tap the "H.R." in the bottom right corner of the lower screen, press the button for the player whose route you'll change, and press the "R" button (when applicable).
1j. Snap the ball: Press the "A" button.
2. Before The Snap - Defense
2a. Select a play: Tap on a category of play on the lower screen (or the up and down arrows to seek more categories to choose from).
2b. Select a play: When the play you want to use is on the screen, tap it.
2c. Select a play: To backup one level, tap "Back" in the bottom right corner of the lower screen or press the "B" button.
2d. Select a player: Press the "A" button or the "B" button.
2e. Reposition a player: Use the direction pad.
2f. Secondary Shift: Press the "R" button.
2g. Shift The Defensive Live: Press the "L" button.
2h. Call an Audible: Tap the "A" in the bottom left corner of the touch screen, then tap the new play.
2i. Cancel an Audible: Tap "Cancel Audible" near the bottom centr of the touch screen or press the "B" button.
3a. Run: Use the direction pad.
3b. Sprint: Press the "A" button.
3c. Dive: Press the "Y" button.
3d. Juke Left: Press the "L" button.
3e. Juke Right: Press the "R" button.
3f. Juke Back: Press the "L" button and the "R" button together.
3g. Spin: Press the "B" button.
3h. Truck Stick Left: Press the "X" button.
4a. Pass to a receiver: Press the button that corresponds to the correct receiver (the "A" or "B" or "Y" or "L" or "R" button).
4b. Scramble (after crossing the line of scrimmage): Use the direction pad.
4c. Slide: Press the "Y" button.
4d. Bring up passing symbols (Normal Passing mode): Press the "X" button.
4e. Deactivate passing symbols: Press the "X" button again (this activates running controls).
4f. Hurry-up offense: Press the "A" button after the whistle blows to repeat the previous play.
4g. Spike the ball: Select the "Stop Clock" play from the Special menu of the Playcalling screen.
5a. Automatically select the closest receiver: Press the "B" button.
5b. Jump / Catch the pass: Press the "X" button.
5c. Dive: Press the "Y" button.
6. Defense - After The Snap
6a. Run: Use the direction pad.
6b. Automatically select the defender closest to the ball: Press the "B" button.
6c. Jump: Press the "X" button.
6d. Swat at the ball: Press the "X" button.
6e. Dive: Press the "Y" button.
7a. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the first step is to move the targeting arrow (using the direction pad) and then press the "A" button.
7b. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the second step is to set the Kick Meter.
7c. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the Kick Meter will begin charging up automatically to determine the power of the kick.
7d. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): when the Kick Meter reaches the desired power level, tap the Kick Meter or press the "A" button.
7e. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the Kick Meter will begin charging up automatically to determine the accuracy of the kick.
7f. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): the closer the Kick Meter is to the center of the accurace area, the more accurate the kick.
7g. To kick the ball (after a kicking play is selected): if the Kick Meter is outside of the accuracy area, the kick could end up almost anywhere.
7h. To receive a kick: to catch a kick, you only need to move the player to where the ball will land.
7i. To receive a kick: to run with the ball, use the direction pad (left, right, up, and down).
7j. To receive a kick: to call for a Fair Catch (you can't be tackeled, but you can't run), press the "X" button before the ball is caught.
7k. To receive a kick: for a Touchback (catch the ball in the endzone and place the ball on the 20 yard line), simply remain in the end zone.
NFL "Play Now" - Other In-Game Options: The Pause (Start button) Menu
1. Resume Game (this options returns the you to the game)
2. Call Timeout (this option calls a timeout)
3. Instant Replay (this option show an instant replay of the last play)
3a. Along the left side of the lower screen, the playback speed can be adjusted by tapping the dots by "x 1/4" or "x 1/2" or "x 1" or "x 2" (speeds).
3b. To change the viewing angle, move the stylus around the the large blue semi-sphere.
3c. To zoom in, tap the magnifying glass with the "+" icon at the top right corner of the blue semi-sphere.
3d. To zoom out, tap the magnifying glass with the "-" icon at the bottom right corner of the blue semi-sphere.
3e. To move move the replay forward or backward, drag the bar on the right edge of the lower screen up or down (or press the "L" and "R" buttons).
3f. To move the focus of the replay to a different player, use the direction pad.
3g. To return to the Pause (Start button) menu, tap the return arrow in the bottom right corner of the lower screen.
3h. On-screen buttons for Skip To The Beginning, Rewind, Play, Pause, Fast Forward, and Skip To The End are located along the bottom edge of the lower screen.
4. Substitutions (this option will let you substitute players for each other)
4a. Highlight Depth Chart, Off. Formation, or Def. Formation by pressing up or down on the direction pad.
4b. When the option you want is highlighted, select it by pressing the "A" button.
4c. To select different players and play formations, use the "L" and "R" buttons (the selected player is in the white box at the top of the list).
4d. To look through more of a player's stats, press left or right on the direction pad.
4e. To replace that player with another player from the list, highlight that player (with the direction pad) and then press the "A" button.
4f. To keep the changes, press the "B" button or tap the return arrow in the bottom right corner of the lower screen.
5. Stats (this option allows you to see the statistics available for the different players)
5a. Highlight Game Stats, Individual Stats, Injury Report, Drive Summary, or Scoring Summary by pressing up or down on the direction pad.
5b. When the option you want is highlighted, select it by pressing the "A" button.
5c. To return to the menu, press the "B" button or tap the return arrow in the bottom right corner of the lower screen for each step.
6. Challenge Status (this option highlights specific challenges you can complete during the game)
NOTE: This option is not selectable in Single-Card Download play.
7. NFL Records (this option will say whether any records have broken)
8. Audibles (this option allows you to view the Audible plays you wan call)
8a. Highlight Offense or Defense by pressing up or down on the direction pad.
8b. When the option you want is highlighted, select it by pressing the "A" button.
8c. To view the different Audible plays, use the direction pad.
5c. To return to the menu, press the "B" button or tap the return arrow in the bottom right corner of the lower screen.
9. Controls (this option will show you an on-screen list of actions for the currently-selected control scheme)
10. What's New (this option will explain, in detail, what the new features are of Madden NFL 08)
10a. To go to the next page, press the "R" button.
10b. To go to the previous page, press the "L" button.
10c. To return to the menu, press the "B" button.
11. Settings (this allows you to change the game's settings)
11a. This menu has three options: Gameplay, Penalty Settings, and Sound Options.
11b. Highlight Gameplay, Penalty Settings, or Sound Options by pressing up or down on the direction pad.
11c. When the option you want is highlighted, select it by pressing the "A" button.
11d. The following options can be changed in the "Gameplay" settings... (by pressing left or right on the direction pad)
11d1. Injuries can be set to On or Off (the deault is On).
11d2. Game Fatigue can be set to On or Off (the deault is On).
11d3. Auto Subs can be set to On or Off (the deault is On).
11d4. Player Lock can be set to On or Off (the deault is On).
11d5. Passing Mode can be set to Quick, Normal, or Directional (the deault is Quick).
11d6. Auto Instant Replay can be set to On or Off (the deault is On).
11d7. Field Lines can be set to Tackle, First Down, Both, or None (the deault is First Down).
11e. The following options can be changed in the "Penalty Settings" options... (by pressing left or right on the direction pad)
11e1. Russing The Passer can be set from 0 through 7, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 3 out of 7).
11e2. Roughing The Kicker can be set from 0 through 7, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 3 out of 7).
11e3. Personal Foul can be set from 0 through 7, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 3 out of 7).
11e4. Face Mask can be set from 0 through 7, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 3 out of 7).
11e5. Defensive Pass Interference can be set from 0 through 7, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 3 out of 7).
11e6. Offensive Pass Interference can be set from 0 through 7, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 3 out of 7).
11e7. Press the "L" button to decrease the value of all of the options on this screen by 1 simultaneously.
11e8. Press the "R" button to increase the value of all of the options on this screen by 1 simultaneously.
11f. The following options can be changed in the "Sound Options" settings... (by pressing left or right on the direction pad)
11f1. Music can be set from 0 through 21, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 10 out of 21).
11f2. Sound FX can be set from 0 through 21, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 21 out of 21).
11f3. Commentary can be set from 0 through 21, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 13 out of 21).
11f4. Crowd can be set from 0 through 21, as denoted by the colored bar (the deault is 16 out of 21).
11f5. Press the "L" button to decrease the value of all of the options on this screen by 1 simultaneously.
11f6. Press the "R" button to increase the value of all of the options on this screen by 1 simultaneously.
12. Quit (this option allows you to quit the game)
12a. The game will ask, "Abort wireless game? DS Wireless Communications will be broken."
12b. The option "No" will be highlighted.
12c. To quit, press up on the direction pad so that "Yes" is highlighted and then press the "A" button.
12d. This will sever communications between the guest and the host. The host will be returned to the game's main menu and the guest's DS system will need to be turned off.
12e. You can also quick-Quit by closing one of the Nintendo DS systems during the wireless connection.
1. Flick the paper football: Slide the stylus up from the bottom of the lower screen through the paper football toward the top of the lower screen.
NOTE: The harder and straighter you flick the paper football, the further and straighter it will travel.
2. Point After Touchdown: Quickly and repeatedly tap the red box until the power meter fills, then immediately tap the bullseye on the paper football.
3. Change viewing angles: To switch the viewing angle from overhead to bird's eye view, press and hold the "L" button.
4. Ultimate Mode - Access Playbook (Offense): Tap the small book icon in the bottom right corner of the lower screen.
5. Ultimate Mode - Table View Zoom: Tap and drag the Zoom Arrow icon along the right edge of the screen (when available).
6. Ultimate Mode - Move Coins: Touch the coin(s) with the stylus, move the stylus across the screen, then lift the stylus from the screen.
What To Look For
NFL Vs./Co-Op (In-game locations)
1. On the upper screen, the field position is denoted by the football icon on the field.
2. On the upper screen, the yard lines along the left and right sides of the screen also help denote field position.
3. On the upper screen, Player Icons are displayed on the field.
4. On the lower screen, the Away team's logo and score are displayed in the top left corner of the screen.
5. On the lower screen, the Home team's logo and score are displayed to the right of the Away team's logo and score.
6. On the lower screen, the current down and distance to go are displayed in the top center of the screen.
7. On the lower screen, the Play clock is displayed to the right of the current down and distance to go.
8. On the lower screen, the Game clock is displayed in the top right corner of the screen.
9. On the lower screen, the Secondary Shift icon (when applicable) is displayed below the Game clock.
10. On the lower screen, the Line shift icon (when applicable) is displayed below the Secondary Shift icon.
11. On the lower screen, the Audible icon (when applicable) is displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen.
12. On the lower screen, the Hot Route (H.R) or Defensive Playmaker (D.P) icons (when applicable) are displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen.
1. On the upper screen, the board is shown (overhead view) on the left half of the screen.
2. On the upper screen, the countdown clock with the amount of time played in the current game so far is displayed near the top right of the screen.
3. On the upper screen, the home team (the host)'s score is displayed beneath the number of minutes in the countdown clock.
4. On the upper screen, the guest team (the guest)'s score is displayed beneath the home team's score.
5. On the upper screen, the current down (out of four) is displayed to the right of the guest team's score.
6. On the upper screen, the number of yards still needed for a touchdown is displayed beneath the guest team's score.
7. On the upper screen, the total number of possessions thus far is displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen.
8. On the lower screen, the paper football is displayed.
Overall Goals
2. Prevent your opponent from scoring.
2. Don't flick the paper football off the table.
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