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ESPN NFL 2K5 VS. Madden NFL 2005: Written by: Kelan Lyos
 Publisher: EA Sports/Sega Price: 49.99/19.99 Genre: Football E for Everyone
Throughout video game history, there has been competition between games. Sonic
and Mario, Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior, and... Madden and ESPN? Every year, Madden is the football game to own, but are
things different this year? Does the 30 dollar price point make a difference (ESPN 2K5 is only $20 this year)? Read on to
find out...
G R A P H I C S
ESPN NFL 2K5:
ESPN’s graphics are top-notch. The facial animations on the players look
like they were just injected with botox, but at least they move, unlike Madden (and they don’t look dead). There is
a certain shininess to the reflections in the helmets, which show the lights of the stadium, if there are any. The jerseys
also look nice, but they don’t move or sway in the breeze. The stadiums also look amazing, and while they’re not
quite as good looking as Madden’s, they’re sure not to disappoint.
Madden NFL 2005: Madden certainly has received a graphical update this year. No longer is there a "hazed" look on the field.
In fact, Madden looks nearly flawless, from its replays to its in-game menus. The weather conditions have never looked better,
with snow looking fluffy, and rain looking wet. The stadiums are also a technical achievement, complete with day-to-night
changes, meaning if you start a game at dawn, at about half-time night will begin to fall, and the lights go on. I have one
problem with the visuals, though. Andy Reid (coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, the team I play as) looks as if he is blind.
His eyes have a glazed over look, making him look like he should be in Resident Evil 4, not Madden. Still, overall, I would
have to give the nod to Madden in the visual department.
Victory for: Madden
NFL 2005
C O N T R O L
ESPN NFL 2K5: I was utterly let down here. The Sega Dreamcast games always offered silky smooth
control, but 2K5 doesn’t. The spins and jukes just don’t feel as responsive as Madden, and the passing game is
hopelessly flawed (why do I have to stand still to complete a pass?). The jukes took awhile to get used to because they go
into effect approximately two seconds after you press the button. However, the incredibly easy default difficulty gives you
numerous breaks, because it’s actually difficult to lose against it.
Madden NFL 2005: Madden controls quite responsively, and the Playmaker option has been drastically improved on defense.
Everything on offense has stayed the same as last year’s (yes, the juking system is much better than ESPN’s),
but defense has drastically changed. Once a play starts on defense, the right thumbstick has been re-named the "Hit-Stick",
which allows you to smack the heck out of your opponent. Pressing the Hit-Stick at the right time will usually result in a
fumble, saving your game. Also, the Playmaker option has been improved on defense as well. Now you can drop individual players
back, instead of your whole team. Simply put: control in Madden is leagues better than ESPN.
Victory for:
Madden NFL 2005
S O U N D
ESPN NFL 2K5: Perhaps
the newest addition to the sound department in ESPN is its Custom Soundtrack ability, which allows you to put music onto tracks,
and listen to them as if they were stadium music (meaning you listen to it in between plays). The announcers have always annoyed
me in every football game (with the exception of Mutant League Football), and ESPN is no exception. When I asked the coach
on 3rd down what to do, he said call a screen, which I was going to do anyway. Then, after my futile attempt at
a first time, he said that it was a terrible call. Perhaps these coaches should see a doctor about their multiple personalities.
The default music is rather annoying, and frankly I don’t see the need to listen to dance songs in a football game.
Madden NFL 2005: Madden suffers from the same announcer syndrome, but like ESPN, also has a Customizable Soundtrack option. But
this time the music plays EVERYWHERE, not just on the playing field. In fact, you can turn off the default music (which isn’t
that bad, compared to ESPN’s) and listen to nothing but your customized soundtracks. Unfortunately, you only have a
limited amount of tracks to put songs on; meaning you can only have about 20 or so songs on your playlist at a time. Overall,
I think the sound in Madden is once again better by ESPN’s, but only by a hair.
Victory for:
Madden NFL 2005
F E A T U R E S
ESPN NFL 2K5: Other
than the option of customizing soundtracks, not much in ESPN has changed this year. The Crib is back (this option allows you
to put items in here, as it represents your house. You can store trophies, get challenges from celebrities, and listen to
a jukebox here), but nothing has really drastically changed about it.
There is one new mode in ESPN this year, though. It’s called the V.I.P. system. Basically, it
allows you to save your friend’s profiles and play them when they’re not there. This allows you to learn their
strategies and play better against them when you are competing again. I personally do not care for this feature, but some
may.
My favorite thing about ESPN is by far the ability to play classic NFL situations... and possibly re-write
history, as we know it. This is pretty much the only mode that Madden doesn't have, and frankly I think Madden fans have the
right to be jealous.
Madden NFL 2005: Actually, believe it or not, Madden
hasn’t changed all that much from last year. Aside from the graphical overhaul and the changes on defense (and the Xbox
Live ability if you have the Xbox like me... but that’s not for all consoles), everything has stayed largely
the same, but that’s not a problem... after all, ESPN did it this year too right?
Madden Cards are back, and I still don’t care. Does anyone really use these? They justify cheating.
I only collect them to get the secret stadiums and teams, and to look at the pretty pictures. Actually, it felt like there
were significantly less Madden Cards this year than last, but personally I don’t care, although some hardcore Madden
enthusiasts will.
Customization is king in this year’s installment. You can customize everything, from the price
of your wieners (hotdogs, you perv) to the fans you see in your stadium. Yes, Stadium Manager is back and better than ever,
as is the create-a-player mode. New to Madden this year are the create-a-fan and create-a-team modes. Both offer high customization
levels, and are a great way to fill your time.
Victory for: Both
O V E R A L L
Even though ESPN is less money, Madden definitely gives you more bang for your buck. But, either football game is a
respectable game. So, I bid you farewell with the final scores of both of these games.
Madden NFL 2005 GameScore: 9.5
ESPN NFL 2K5 GameScore: 8.5 (Also reviewed by Josh Wagner '9.5')
T H E W I N N E R:
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