Lovers of Madden NFL’s addictive Ultimate Team mode have a bunch of new things to collect after the season’s first update. The game within a game challenges players to collect the most powerful team possible through cards. Tracking down those cards gives you the right to use the players pictured. Hunting cards through auctions, unlocks and trades ( a feature added this year) is arguably more fun than playing with them. Completing collections of entire NFL teams earns coins and exclusive cards.

EA’s Madden franchise often comes under fire for a perceived lack of innovation but here’s a feature that certainly promises some unique wrinkles.

Madden NFL 10 will soon contain a game mode that will combine elements of fantasy football and trading card gaming.

Madden Ultimate Team is a free downloadable addition on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network coming January 2010. In this game players will collect virtual packs of cards ranging from “platinum” to “bronze.”