EA Sporting Xbox 360 Titles

The world’s top game software company will have several titles available when the new Microsoft game console debuts.

John Madden and Tiger Woods will be the most recognizable faces when EA officially announces its opening lineup of titles for the launch of the Xbox 360 console next month. Microsoft’s next-generation game machine is supposed to be available before the Thanksgiving holiday in the US.

EA, the biggest game software star in a $10 billion universe, will have the perennial Madden powerhouse in a new version with Madden NFL 06. This year’s model will have Franchise mode as well as an online play option.

The familiar challenging stare of Tiger Woods will be on the shelves as well with his eponymous golf game Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06. EA will have FIFA 06: Road To The World Cup and NBA Live 06 as its other sports titles, and the street racing game Need For Speed Most Wanted will round out the group.

Microsoft had hoped the anxiously awaited crime saga The Godfather would be one of the titles ready in November. But EA has had to push back the release of the famous family into 2006. When it arrives, The Godfather will be expected to be one of the titles that gamers find so compelling that, like Halo, it drives console sales.

David Utter is a staff writer for WebProNews covering technology and business. Email him here.