Madden NFL 26 on Nintendo Switch 2 Review: The Best Handheld Madden Yet EA Sports delivers a full Madden experience on the Switch 2, with only a few compromises

After years without a proper handheld Madden, EA Sports Madden NFL 26 has arrived on the Nintendo Switch 2—and it’s easily the best portable version of the series to date. While it doesn’t match the visual fidelity or performance of the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, it offers the full Madden experience wherever you play.

🏈 Graphics & Performance

Naturally, the Switch 2 can’t hit PS5-level performance. Madden NFL 26 runs at a smooth-but-capped framerate (around 40fps) with reduced resolution and less detail in textures and animations. Load times are also longer, and the interface feels less snappy compared to higher-end consoles.

That said, the game looks solid within the context of the platform, and the trade-offs are acceptable given the portability.

🎮 Full Madden Experience

One of the biggest wins here is that no content is cut. Every major mode is present, including:

Ultimate Team (with microtransactions still intact)
Franchise Mode (playable online or offline)
Superstar Mode
Online Head-to-Head (without cross-platform play)
Quick Play

This makes Switch 2 the first time in years handheld players can enjoy the complete Madden package.

🏟️ Franchise Mode Shines

Franchise Mode stands out as one of the most rewarding ways to play. You can manage your roster on and off the field, delegate tasks to the CPU when you want, and chase multiple Super Bowl runs across seasons.

The expanded management features in Madden 26 add even more depth, giving fans the feeling of being truly involved in every layer of team building.

🌟 Superstar & Ultimate Team

Superstar Mode: A more focused, player-driven experience with plenty of depth. While not as engaging as Franchise Mode, it’s still worth exploring.
Ultimate Team: Popular as always, but still leans heavily into microtransactions. You’ll eventually hit a paywall if you want to compete at the highest levels, though there’s plenty of fun before that point.

🎯 Gameplay & Accessibility

Madden 26 maintains the series’ strength of being both easy to pick up and deep enough for veterans.

Training Mode offers tutorials and drills for new players.
Mini-games add variety for when you want a break from standard matches.
Core gameplay mechanics remain tried-and-true, making it easy to jump in whether you’re a casual fan or longtime Madden player.

✅ Final Thoughts

With Madden NFL 26 on Switch 2, fans finally have a true handheld Madden again. Yes, there are compromises—no cross-platform play, slightly weaker visuals, and slower load times—but the complete experience is intact and runs well enough to be enjoyable on the go.

If you’re a football fan craving Madden in portable form, this is the best it’s ever been. The Switch 2 is already delivering better for sports fans than its predecessor ever did.