Yeah, except all of the Mario games are diverse and actually introduce new gameplay mechanics and challenges. Madden only has roster updates and new jerseys.

For instance, what's the difference between Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Sunshine? A hell of a lot. What's the difference between Madden 09, 08, 07, 06, 05, 04, 03, etc...? Not much.

The thing is, the games are based on a real sport, so the rules and gameplay are always the same to comply with the sport. Because of this constraint, when you buy a new game, you're paying full price for better textures, a roster update, and like one new feature in season mode or some crap like that. Seriously, why even bother buying them when you know that if you wait a year, there will be a better version with one new feature. And then the year after that a better version with one more new feature. And then another. And another. Ironically, the games sell millions and reward EA's laziness because the average American consumer is a football whore. What EA should do is just cram every feature they can think of into one game instead of spreading the updates thin the account for next year's version and the next. Then they should stop making them for about 4 years until an update is actually justifiable. Why won't EA do this? Because the average football-loving American will pay EA more money to shove the same shit down their throat over, and over, and over again.

FYI, America has just as much bias in its reviews as Japan. Saying otherwise is incredibly ignorant. Why do you think that all of EA's damn sports games seem to be exempt from most reviewing outlet's "mark unoriginal sequels down" rule and consistently score in the high 8s and 9s?