PCGame

Madden NFL 21

NFL football simulation with career and backyard trick-play modes

Electronic Arts · Released Aug 28, 2020

SimulationSportsStrategy

Third-party account required DRM declared on Steam

Reviews
Mixed
50% of 5,444
Recent reviews
Not enough recent
Players
13
daily peak, Nov 8, 2026
Steam Deck
Playable
Last update on Steam
3 years ago
Jan 25, 2023
Minimum PC
RX 460
8 GB RAM · 50 GB disk
Full requirements

What is Madden NFL 21?

You play NFL football matches, carrying the ball, rushing the passer, and tackling. A documentary-style career mode follows a rising player's path toward the Hall of Fame. The Yard is a backyard football mode with different rules and trick plays.

For you if...

  • +you like competitive football matches against other players
  • +you want a career mode centered on an NFL player
  • +you enjoy backyard football with trick plays and different rules

Not for you if...

  • −you prefer exploration and open worlds to sports matches

What players say

50% of 5,444 reviews are positive

Players report that the server shutdown prevents them from playing, including in single-player.

Players over time

▼ -35% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 29 players on Oct 4, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 8, 202613
Nov 7, 202615
Nov 6, 202613
Nov 5, 202614
Nov 4, 20268
Nov 3, 20265
Nov 2, 20268
Nov 1, 20269
Oct 31, 202610
Oct 30, 202610
Oct 29, 202610
Oct 28, 202610
Oct 27, 202617
Oct 26, 202616
Oct 25, 202618
Oct 24, 202611
Oct 23, 202610
Oct 22, 202615
Oct 21, 202610
Oct 20, 202615
Oct 18, 202615
Oct 17, 202614
Oct 16, 202614
Oct 15, 202620
Oct 14, 202614
Oct 13, 202612
Oct 11, 202617
Oct 10, 202613
Oct 9, 20269
Oct 8, 202613
Oct 7, 202624
Oct 6, 20269
Oct 4, 202629
Oct 3, 202616
Oct 2, 202617
Oct 1, 202617
Sep 30, 202621
Sep 29, 202616
Sep 27, 202616
Sep 26, 202611
Sep 25, 202614
Sep 24, 202614
Sep 23, 20265

Screenshots and trailer

Madden NFL 21 screenshot 1

Madden NFL 21 system requirements

Minimum: RX 460, 8 GB RAM, 50 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Madden NFL 21?

Tell us your graphics card once and every game page will answer this for you.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS
Windows 10
Processor
Athlon X4 880K @4GHz or better, Core i3-6100 @3.7GHz or better
Graphics
Radeon RX 460 or better, GeForce GTX 670 or better
Memory
8 GB RAM
Storage
50 GB available space
DirectX
Version 11

Recommended

OS
Windows 10
Processor
FX 8150 @3.6GHz or better, Core i5-3550 @3.40GHz or better
Graphics
Radeon R9 270x or better, GeForce GTX 680 or better
Memory
16 GB RAM
Storage
50 GB available space
DirectX
Version 11

Does Madden NFL 21 have co-op or multiplayer?

Yes: PvP online and split-screen. It also has a single-player mode.

Does Madden NFL 21 run on Steam Deck?

Playable Playable: it runs on Steam Deck with some adjustments.

  • The launcher or setup tool may need the touchscreen or virtual keyboard
  • Default controller config not fully functional
  • Sometimes shows mouse, keyboard or non-Deck controller icons
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck
  • First time setup requires active internet connection
  • Singleplayer gameplay requires active internet connection

PC version details

DRM
EA on-line activation and Origin client software installation and background use required.
Third-party account
EA Account (Supports Linking to Steam Account)
Controller
Full controller support
Platforms
Windows
Achievements
28
Steam features
In-app purchases
Languages
Full audio: English.

Does Madden NFL 21 use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 25, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Games like Madden NFL 21