I suggest alot of Madden on PlayStation 2!!! That is the only thing that works for me.

That always helps.

I guess I'm a lucky one, I really enjoy Basketball also. The NBA playoffs last until June, so I only have a week or 2 until training camp starts. :shower:

Madden (beating my brother & his '85 Bears never gets old) or NCAA always works. There's also the NBA playoffs & a few good fights coming up.

That worked until that go old and now Im waiting for August for the new Madden :wiggle:

I've been reading all the football forums and checking out the sneak peeks for madden and espn 2k5. ESPN's gonna give madden a run for my money this year ;).

That's right...I read an article on ESPN and it sounds totally revamped. I'll be renting both and purchasing the better game. Here, I'll link the article for you to read. It sounds promising. I think Madden will feature some great stuff as well but ESPN doesn't sound bad at all as of now.

ESPN 2005

ESPN is claiming it will include online leagues complete with trades and the like. The thought of playing virtual GM with live competition really brings out the football gaming nerd in me.

I've been a Madden gamer until now but if ESPN is the better football title I think I'll be jumping on the Xbox Live bandwagon. There's been talk about EA titles being playable on Xbox Live as well though, of course they are rumors though...nothing officially confirmed.

Wow
 

couldn`t of said it "BETTER" :jumpbanan

I am a diehard NFL2K (ESPN) fan. The only part of madden that is better, are things like franchise mode, and extras. But pure game vs. game, Hands down, ESPN is better.

And XBOX LIVE rules.
GamerTag: Mazzer

The momentum based physics is better in Madden. Plus, you can't run the same running play over and expect to march down the field w/o any problems (the # of BTKs is unrealistic in ESPN). The controls (imo) feels like butter compared to ESPN (a player's speed rating should be determined by their rating, not how fast you can tap the turbo button->yes, I'm a good button masher).

IMO...

Extras, franchise mode = Madden
Presentation = ESPN
Sound = ESPN
Graphics = ESPN
Animations = ESPN - gang tackles, Oline/Dline battles, etc. looks more realistic (except for the sprinting animation)
Gameplay = Madden - playbooks, controls, AI, ball physics, momentum based physics > ESPN

You broke it down really well there...

I'll be going Live once the new installments of ESPN and Madden come out. I've liked Madden's gameplay so far so I've gone with that. ESPN's graphics look awesome and if ESPN leaves Madden in the dust (which by that article, it looks like it will) gameplay wise, I'll be switching over and going Live to take some of you guys on. :wiggle:

I'll take you up on that offer. I've got my Xbox, just haven't gone Live since my football game of choice, Madden, hasn't gone Live, I hadn't seen the need to. But depending on this year's titles, I just might. You bet though, I'll hollar at you if and when I do.

It sure does rock, but the running game can still be abused on the Legend difficulty. Heck, even All-Madden has its fair share of problems, but I think it takes the cake for better controls and gameplay.

Oh well, to each his own. Let me know if y'all want to play Madden, NCAA or ESPN NBA Basketball online (PS2).

I hear you on that....voice chat is awesome! I don't complain about ESPN, I rented both and just felt like Madden was more intact in terms of gameplay. The thing about ESPN that discouraged the intent to buy was the running game. But now that you mention cranking up the level evens the odds out, I'm anxious to see just how that is. I loved everything about ESPN....it was just the running game that made me lose interest. The presentation aspect is just beautiful....looks like it'll be better this year.

Right on. ESPN on XBOX LIVE is the only thing keeping me from going insane.

[quote=dmt217]The controls (imo) feels like butter compared to ESPN (a player's speed rating should be determined by their rating, not how fast you can tap the turbo button->yes, I'm a good button masher).

A players speed is determine by their speed rating. But you have to press the button fast to get their top speed ability.

The only way a slower player catches up to a faster player is if your player is tired, because he has been running for along time, or has broken a few tackles, and doesnt have as much endurace than the player chaseing you.

Or, when you press the speed button 3 times per second (compare that to 15 times per second for the same player w/ the same spd & acc). Either way, you still have to mash the button to sprint downfield.

Anyway, I still prefer Madden's "hold the sprint button to speed up" configuration.

I like both versions. Madden because of the in depth gameplay and I like ESPN because the crowd gets into big plays. But as far as adrenaline play I have to say I like NFL Street.

I've seen screen shots of both already. I'm going to probably end up doing like most of you and renting both to see which one I like better. So far I've like Madden on XBox for football and ESPN for basketball. A lot of times what it boils down to is presentation and graphics.