I picked up an advance copy on the 8th and I must say it is fantastic. Every aspect of the game took a leap forward, and some features(especially the franchise mode) took astronomical leaps forward. If you are a fan of the madden series or football in general this is a must have!

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Madden is a popular series of football games. It has been the best selling football series for years, and this version looks good. The PS2 and Xbox versions will have online gameplay, and the Gamecube version may have a link up feature if a GameBoy Advance version is released. The graphics look improved, and there will be some new features. Madden's main rival is the ESPN football videogame series. If you're a Madden videogame fan, then vote "yes this review was helpful". This version should be great.

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The game might not be out yet but you know that this game is going to be better than any other football games even espn, I LOVED THIS GAME EVERY YEAR... Also bye looking at the features i like Madden MOre ALSO it has RAY LEWIS ON the cover you know its going to be good ALSO it doesn't matter if you its true about the super bowl tickets or not this GAME Is tHe bOmB!!!! you could play hours with this game Also With the New Hit STick, And CreATE A fan and the good graphics, this game is great ALso as it says on the cover #1 football franchise game, it has to be good does espn have that no more reading and talking about the game and looking at the screen shots just buy your-self a copy. I guarentee it...

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Madden games are always the best sports games. My roommates and I used to have tournaments all the time because it's just so much fun. Madden 2005 adds to the series in a very cool way.

First off, I know you could do it before, but the live feature here is very well done. Being able to take your playing on line is very entertaining, and the xbox does it better than the PS2 anyday, despite charging for the service.

The graphics of this game are not that much better than the 2004 graphics, but I think they are successfully maxing out the graphics capabilities of this generation of video game consoles which is nice to see. The sound is entertaining, Madden's commentaries are as humorous as ever after playing a ton of games, and the soundtrack is fine. Again, I think they make Vick too powerful, he's not the greatest player of all time, despite whatever the EA guys think, but the game is fun and you'll definitely enjoy it if you buy it.

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I've been afraid of buying a football game for the Xbox because I didn't want to go too deep into a franchise mode or press 15 buttons to throw a pass or whatever. This game is total fun. Controls are easy to master, players look great, and game mechanics easy to learn. Just playing the game is fun. I totally recommend it!

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This game is ganna be good because it has a song from Green Day's New Album "American Idiot". if u want a football game... i recomend this one.

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I am a Browns fan so thank God for the "Madden curse." I am not thrilled with EA sports putting Ray Lewis on the cover this year but I will still play this game obsessively and lose hours of my life with this game. Madden is by far the #1 sports franchise!

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I know all you Madden-users out there eventually became sickly tired of 2004's gameplay and later on in the year devoted your time to other games. With Madden 2005, however, the situation seems different. With a suped-up franchise mode that you all have read about, and suttle improvements including a new fan-mode and the addition of 'the hit stick,' it seems like I'll be playing this years' version well into next year. It's really worth more than the $45 you put down.

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Hell yes! Finally, Xbox gets the option of going online to kick ass in Madden, NCAA, and Tiger Woods. As well as N4SU2, Burnout 3, Timesplitters 3, Goldeneye 2 (name in progress), and many more! Thank you EA Games!

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I purchased this game with great expectations, but was extremely disappointed. I have only had the game a week, and it irritates me the amount of things wrong with this game. There are some positives though, such as the minicamps, create-a..., and good graphics. Unfortunately, the negatives outweigh them. I play with the Philadelphia Eagles, and on one play Simoneau intercepted a pass. Following the INT., the broadcaster said "Simoneau just couldn't find anyone, and gave it away". Also, when a receiver for the opposing team breaks lose, I'll get very close to him in a sprint, then for NO REASON turn around and run backwards!!! I would be down by 4 points and the broadcaster will say "The Eagles! are down by a touchdown.". For $50, everyone should get their money's worth, but it seems as though this should be found in the $5 bin at EBGames. Very disappointed, and plan to NOT purchase anymore Madden titles.

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As I said in the title, this is not a review. I just want to save like-minded people some time, and summarize what makes 2005 different from the 2004 title. While this isn't platform specific, the biggest upgrade this year is for the Xbox, as EA and Microsoft have finally settled, and online play has finally arrived via XBLive. I'd like to not assign stars at all, but Amazon doesn't allow for pre-release non-reviews. So I'm assigning 5 stars based on Madden 2004, and the promise of the following new features. It is not meant to be commentary about the 2005 title.

I've done this for NCAA 2005 as well, but decided to adapt it for Madden as well. Everything in here is Madden-specific.

GENERAL GAMEPLAY IMPROVEMENTS:
- The hit stick: The Hit Stick is a brand-new control innovation whereby players can attempt to lay a big hit on their opponent by flicking the right stick. They are risky, as a mis-timed hit can be devastating to your defense, but it can all pay off with a huge hit and a fumble or dropped pass.
- Reworked DB play/pass defense: Rebuilt from the ground up, with a focus on man-to-man coverage. Good DBs will now blanket their receivers better than ever before, and "shut down" corners will now play as such.
- All alternate team jerseys are now available.
- Updated player models for more intense realism.
- Reworked stadiums, fans, and environmental graphics.
- New running animations. "Over 1000 new animations added."

FRANCHISE MODE IMPROVEMENTS:
- Restricted Free Agents - Allow your young guys to test Restricted Free Agency.
- Preseason Position Battles - Let two players who are similar in talent battle it out for the starting job.
- Player Personalities - Players react to everything that happens to them and if things get really bad for them, they demand a trade. If you're not throwing the ball to your star receiver, you'll hear about it.
- Franchise Tags - Tag players who refuse to re-sign with your team.
- New Realistic Off-season Free Agency - Players no longer only care about money. They now look at your team, the players you have, your team prestige and lots of other factors.
- Weekly Game-plan - Your coordinators provide you with a game-plan each week that contains keys to stop your upcoming opponents.
- NFL Icons - They've acknowledged the stars in the NFL and they become Icons in your Franchise. These players influence free agents and affect morale if something happens to them.
- Practice in Franchise - You can now practice with your current franchise team.
- Improved Team Management - Teams intelligently manage their rosters now. They cut dead weight and sign regular season free agents.
- Name Team Captains - You can now name your team captains every year in Franchise.
- Rivalries - Rivalries are a new addition to Franchise this year.
- Team Prestige - A new aspect of Franchise is prestige. Turn a perennial loser around to become a true powerhouse.
- In-Season Player Progression - Players now progress based on how well they're doing during the season. Breakout players are rewarded for their performance.
- Improved Draft - A ticker, announcer and trading during the draft highlight our draft improvements.
- Change Player Positions - You can change the positions of players in Franchise every season now.
- Storyline Central is a new addition to Franchise Mode this year that focuses on every story that is at the forefront in the NFL. The stories around your team now impact your team. If the rookie RB is pushing the veteran for playing time but not getting it, his morale will drop and it will affect his performance. You hear about the stories three different ways.
1) Newspaper. Every team in Franchise has a newspaper from their local city that discusses only the stories that pertain to that team. We also feature USA Today, which is the franchise's national newspaper. In USA Today, the most important stories from the entire NFL appear.
2) EA Sports Radio. They've added sports talk radio to Franchise, where host Tony Bruno breaks down the week's biggest stories. Each week's show includes call-ins, coach and player interviews, trivia questions and from time to time, Tony will rant about important issues in the NFL.
3) Email. Every week on your PDA, you'll receive emails about everything going on with your team. You will receive emails from players, coaches, general managers, the PR department, etc.
- Create-a-fan: Create your own dedicated crazy fans. To be included during game-time celebratory animations.

ONLINE PLAY IMPROVEMENTS:
- Opponent scouting: They've added a new scouting report that allows you to check any player's (online) tendencies. You can look at their favorite playbook and formation, as well as look at how much they no-huddle, call hot routes, and audible. It's meant to try and cut down on the number of games wasted to opposition that cheats or otherwise plays in a manner you're not interested in.
- Quick tournaments: 4 or 8 player tournaments built right into the online system.
- Even team mode: An option that will allow an even playing field, regardless of the 'real world' strengths and weaknesses of two programs/teams.
- Improved leaderboards.
- "Rushing Attack" mini-game, as defined above.
- EA Messenger: Track dozens of friends online.

That's all I've come across so far, but it's a factual aggregation of information, all directly from the source. Either Electronic Arts, and/or Phil Frazier the line producer via an interview on EASports, much of the info is paraphrased or even partially or wholly quoted. None of this comes through third parties, or speculation. Given that, this looks to be one of the biggest leaps forward this franchise has enjoyed in some time. Particularly for Xbox fans as they finally get online play, but really for everyone. But enough, I now return you to your regularly scheduled, "tHiS gAMe iz dA bOMb!" 'reviews'.

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A month ago, I found myself in a dilemma. I could not decide to whether to buy Espn 2k5 or Madden 2005. I had bought the last three madden games, and all of them were great, especially 2004. However, I had read a lot of reviews for Espn about how the graphics were amazing, how real it is, etc. etc. Another turn-on was the $20 price tag. I read reviews that Madden wasn't really any different than its predecessors. So, I bought ESPN. Let me tell you right now, I wasted 20 dollars. ESPN 2K5 is an absolutely terrible game saved by its graphics and price. The franchise mode isn't deep at all, things you thought would be cool(pre,half,and postgame shows with Chris Berman)were just stupid, and horrible unnecessary features like The Crib and The Player of The Game Interview with the sloth like Suzy Kolber are simply unbearable. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!! Madden on the other hand, is great. The Hit Stick is just as revolutionary as the Playmaker control was, the great Storyline Central Mode, The incredibly DEEP franchise. It's great. Follow my advice, get MAdden 2005.

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this game is good but espn is much better save your money and go buy a better game for a better price. look out for espn july 20th.

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It seems EA will never fix their obvious AI problems. Yet each year they add more gimmicks without fixing one of the main problems in their football game.

I haven't bought Madden since Madden 03, and I will not buy another Madden title until they fix the AI problems. I am sick of having CPU's sub par running backs breaking 5 and 6 tackles on 3rd and 6 just so they can get a first down. QBs breaking tackles from LBs who outweight them by 100 pounds. How about the CPU always allowing your CB's to be out of position when the CPU passes the ball, and on top of that, they slow the CB down to give the receiver a better chance to catch the ball! Sub par receivers making leaping one handed catches in tight coverage while getting hit. Passes going through defenders' bodies, helmets, hands, legs, arms etc. to end up in the receiver's hands. Balls changing direction in mid air just so the receiver can catch it. The CPU intentionally making tacklers dive in the opposite direction you expect them to, turning a would be minimal 2 or 3 yard gain into a maddening 20 yard gain. Your defenders all seem to be conntected by a string so if you go in and dive to make a sack and miss (and most of the time you will miss or the QB will miracously break the tackle), your defender who is guarding the intended receiver, will automatically dive too if you switch to him, resulting in a BS 50+ yard TD pass. The CPU automatically moving your linemen across the line on 3rd and 10, to give the offense a free 5 yard and then the CPU gets exactly 5 yards on the next play. CPU QB's getting off perfect passes while having a LB inches from taking him down.

If your offense you have to deal with your all star 95+ rated receivers dropping wide open passes. All star QBs throwing balls out of bounds. All star RB's fumbling at the worse possible time. You lineman are moved across the line by the CPU and you get flagged for a false start. Your linemen miss obvious blocks so big gains are rare in a close game. Your QB automatically tucks the ball and takes a sack if a defender is 10 feet away, while the CPU QB can get a perfect pass off while he's being sacked almost. Psychic defense that almost always know what play your going to run. Refs almost always get in the way of your receiver when you absolutely need to convert a 3rd down.

And who can forget the infamous comeback AI? No lead is safe. Even if your up by 20+ points at the half, your better off running the clock out starting in the 3rd quarter because the AI will do any and everything to get the lead and screw you; that includes your offense fumbling the ball, receivers dropping wide open passes, refs constantly calling clipping and holding on you after you get a good punt return or big gain. Refs calling you for face mask penalties or pass interference after you stop the CPU on third down so the CPU can get a free first down, bad calls in the final two minutes of the game so you can't challenge.

On special teams I have seen where I was lined up for the game winning field goal and I see my play clock is about to run out, so I call a timeout with 2 seconds left on the clock. The screen signals that I called a timeout, but a few moments after I call a timeout, the ref throws a flag AFTER the timeout was called. and I get pushed back five yards. Talk about a LATE whistle. Another occasion the CPU punted to me, and the ball CLEARLY went out of bounds at the 35 yard line. It was way beyond the side line and in fact nearly to the end of the thick white line; however the ball bounced back in bounds and the CPU downed it at the 21 yard line. I was so shocked, that I saved the replay. No matter what this CPU does to screw me, they always do one better everytime I play the game.

I have experienced these things and more in Madden. More so on defense. while these problems certainly don't happen in every game, it happens on average every other game. Sometimes the CPU will cheat on every single down making it impossible to win. Most of the time however, I can usually still win in spite of the cheating, it is still very frustrating when the CPU can constantly pull 60, 70 and 80 YD TD passes out their a$$ just so the game will be close. This ruins the experience of an otherwise fun game. I still play 2003, because I want to at least get my money's worth and play all 30 seasons while drafting college players from NCAA 2003. After that, I will never even think about purchasing or playing another Madden or NCAA title again.

For me, gone are the days that I rush out and buy the current year's sports title. It is usually the same game as the previous one. However, if you absolutely want a football title this year, get ESPN, and while it has its problems too, it is certainly a much better deal being only 20 bucks versus 50 bucks for Madden.

Since the folks at EA are shaking in the fear of a little competition from ESPN, they have decided to purchase the NFL liscense exclusively for themselves so no other companies can make NFL games. Because of this I suppose I won't be buying any football titles for the next 5 years. Even IF EA fixed their obvious game problems during these 5 years, I STILL wouldn't buy Madden or NCAA ever again. I don't even know if I will buy another EA game period. I am sorry I just can't support any company that buys their way out of competition. So long EA!

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I bought Madden 04 and I loved it, primarily due to the incredible new owner mode, but this year there's a new football champ and his name is ESPN 2K5. This game is amazing and it's only 20 bucks! Save yourself 30 bucks and go with the game that won best of show awards @ E3. Sorry EA sports, you lose! game over.

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