'Madden 08' is "sluggish" on PS3

USA Today has complained that the PlayStation 3 version of Madden 08 is "sluggish" and that the "action stutters far too often".

The respected paper also claims the game is poor in others areas, adding: "particularly on injuries, penalties and turnovers. There's also a half-second delay between pressing the hike button and receiving the ball in your hands. Even close-ups between play look dull when lined up against the 360's sleeker cut scenes."

In response to the criticism, an EA technical team member said in a statement: “It was our intention to put out the best possible with Madden across ten platforms.

“In the case of the next-generation consoles, many publishers have been developing titles for the Xbox 360 for over three and a half years while everyone who publishes now for the PS3, with the exception of Sony, has been developing for the PS3 for only a little over one full year.

“With newer technology, it is very difficult to get it right the first time.”

Madden 08 will be released on PlayStation 3 September 29, with Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, PS and DS out August 24. A Wii version of the game will be out August 31.