SPN NFL 2K5 is better than Madden NFL 2005. I say this without reservation, because developer Visual Concepts has created a game that excels in every aspect. Everywhere you turn, 2K5 has gameplay, graphics, and features that open your eyes to exciting new ways to experience football.

It’s such a luxury that I can’t decide what my favorite new element of ESPN is. The weekly preparation system (see sidebar for more) let me completely dork out as a wannabe coach. Best of all, it actually paid dividends for my team. The only problem is that it’s so hardcore, I don’t know how many people will have the patience to use it. On the other hand, I loved how Visual Concepts transformed the on-the-field experience. Between busting out of tackles by jamming on the A button (3 for PS2) or avoiding sacks with the right analog stick, I was sometimes at a loss for words, but never out of moves.

Apart from how well these new features worked, I was also impressed at the changes the developer made to tighten up the gameplay. Due to the imported physics, runners don’t feel like they are on a swivel, which allows for ball carriers to make cuts. Also, passing the ball has so much more zip this year, letting you throw bullets over the middle instead of slow-moving turds. CPU offences will actually chuck the ball downfield this year, too. Although the blocking of your offensive line (tackles in particular) is better, it could use work. Also, defensive backs’ coverage was sometimes simply bizarre. I welcome all the new defensive pre-snap options, but players don’t always line up correctly.

I simply couldn’t get enough of this game. I watched all the installments of SportsCenter (Mel Kiper Jr. is in fine form), dreamt about what I was going to do with my Crib, and eagerly dove into my new role as coach. ESPN did just as thorough a job with its online component, giving you a complete season and VIP profiles – something I plan to take full advantage of as I study upcoming online opponents. ESPN needed to come out firing this year, and it did just that – exuding that big-time football confidence that only champions have. Everything about the game screams "primetime." Don’t just get this game because it’s 20 bucks, buy it because it’s the best football title there is and the only one that’s a must have.

The Edge

The Xbox takes it in a landslide. This game was made to be played on the console, and it’s absolutely gorgeous in 480p. Throw in being able to play your CDs in the game, and it’s a no-brainer. Unless you own the PS2 HDD, you won’t be able to see the video footage in the halftime show. Even if you do, however, you still can’t import your own music into the title on PS2.  

ANDREW REINER   9.5 Much like David’s miraculous victory over Goliath, the fervid team at Visual Concepts has defeated EA’s gridiron giant with what I feel is the greatest football game to date. ESPN’s swift-footed gameplay is amazingly polished and a visual tour de force. The velocity behind passes has increased greatly since last year, player movements exhibit more realism, and I absolutely love how breaking tackles, evading sacks, and applying jarring hits are based solely on user reaction. Visual Concepts has absolutely nailed the authenticity of the sport in gameplay, and knows full well what gamers want outside of it. Online seasons, daily player training, gorgeous out-of-play sequences, weekly SportsCenter recaps with Chris Berman, tons of unlockables in The Crib, VIP user stat tracking, importable music, the list goes on and on. Madden’s gameplay is still tighter as a whole, but the wealth of options that ESPN throws at you is simply staggering. It’s easily the best gridiron release of the year.