Madden 13 Release Date: Showcasing Top Pre-Order Bonuses Available

Competition for your pre-order commitments to Madden 13 are as hot and heavy as a game against your bitter rival. There are five pre-order options, and depending on the gamer, each have their own individual appeal.

EA Sports gives you the basics on these offers here, but here is something to think about with each of them:

Starting with the Gamestop offer:

"

• Pre-order for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 now and receive exclusive NFL legends John Madden and Barry Sanders for use in Madden Ultimate Team and the all-new Connected Careers.
• As a bonus, Power Up Rewards Members will receive the Calvin Johnson, Jr. card for use in Madden Ultimate Team 13.

"

This is a very Detroit Rock City-centric offer.

Not only are you getting the greatest Lions player ever in Sanders, but you're also getting the greatest current Lions player, and the cover athlete for this year's game in Megatron.

Oh, and throw in the man by which the most successful sports gaming series in history is named, John Madden. Using Madden or Sanders in Connected Careers is quite a boost, and all three men would give you a solid start with Ultimate Team.

Next up, we have the Best Buy offer:

"

• Pre-order for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 now and receive the exclusive NFL legends Bill Walsh and Jerry Rice for use in Madden Ultimate Team and the all-new Connected Careers.
• In addition, receive the Andrew Luck Future Stars Draft Pick Madden Ultimate Team Card for immediate use in Madden NFL 12 and the Andrew Luck Rookie Card for Madden Ultimate Team 13 once you pick up your pre-ordered copy of Madden NFL 13 on August 28

"

This offer has some definite California love injected into it. This pack should come with a free download of "California Love" by Dr. Dre and 2 Pac, just kidding—but not really.

The greatest wide receiver in history, and the architect of the West-Coast Offense can be yours with this option. 

You also would receive the Stanford product Luck to give your Ultimate Team a young franchise QB. That's not too shabby either.

Walmart also has an offer for gamers:

"

Pre-order for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 now and receive the exclusive NFL legends Tom Landry and John Elway for use in Madden Ultimate Team and the all-new Connected Careers.

"

I am a huge Elway fan—as a player at least—and the inclusion of coaches in the Connected Careers mode shouldn't be understated. Besides the cool factor of seeing them patrol the sidelines, they will also have an effect on the way their teams perform.

Landry is a Dallas Cowboys legend, and having the man in the hat on your sidelines would be awesome.

Check out Amazon's online offer:

"

• Pre-order for Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 now and receive the exclusive NFL legends Joe Gibbs and Lawrence Taylor for use in Madden Ultimate Team and the all-new Connected Careers.
• In addition, receive the Andrew Luck Future Stars Draft Pick Madden Ultimate Team Card for immediate use in Madden NFL 12 and the Andrew Luck Rookie Card for Madden Ultimate Team 13 once you pick up your pre-ordered copy of Madden NFL 13 on August 28.
• Get a $15 credit toward the purchase of items shipped or sold by Amazon.com when you pre-order your copy of Madden NFL 13.

"

They are really pulling out all the stops. It could be because you'd have to shop online to redeem these offers, and many gamers may want the game in-hand as soon as possible. If you pre-order in time, you can get release date delivery, per Amazon.com.

But there is an additional cost for that.

Because of that, you are getting more for your pre-order.

I'm also a big LT fan, and his inclusion is tempting for me. You'll get the same Luck card available in the Best Buy offer, but perhaps the biggest addition is the $15 credit towards another Amazon purchase.

If you shop on Amazon frequently, and don't mind waiting on a parcel, this may be the option you choose.

Finally, there is the Origin option:

"

Pre-order or Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 now and receive the exclusive NFL legends Dick Vermeil and Marshall Faulk for use in Madden Ultimate Team and the all-new Connected Careers.

"

This certainly has a bit of St. Louis appeal. Two key members of the Greatest Show on Turf are available here. Origin is EA Sports' official online retail spot, so if getting it from the source is important to you, this is a plus.

Also, playing with Faulk from the beginning is attractive. If you plan to run a pass-happy offense in your Connected Careers, this may be the pack for you.

Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay on YouTube and Twitter for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games.

Subscribe on YouTube

Follow @BrianMazique

Follow @franchiseplay