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Sports Games of the Decade: Football Game of the Decade

12:26 PM - December 3, 2010 by RaychelSnr

Gold: ESPN NFL 2K5

Releasing at only $20, ESPN NFL 2K5 will likely go down as the greatest sports gaming bargain of all time. Online players rejoiced over 32-team leagues -- complete with trades, injuries and free agency -- that hit both the PS2 and Xbox. Week-by-week player development and coach-specific team tendencies highlighted a deep offline Franchise mode. Chris Berman's halftime highlights and weekly wrap-up shows added the feel of a real-life Primetime telecast to the game as well. Like the NES classic Tecmo Super Bowl, ESPN NFL 2K5's fans still edit yearly roster updates, keeping the game relevant. Time passes on, but ESPN NFL 2K5 does not.

Silver: NCAA Football 2004

For its time, NCAA Football 2004 was a feature-packed game. 36 I-AA teams (still missing from today's NCAA games) complemented the 100-plus division I-A programs. Fans of Division II and Division III teams could build those schools with the create-a-school feature and use them in Dynasty mode. Sports Illustrated magazine covers and new pregame introductions added to the game's pageantry. But if there is one thing for which NCAA 2004 is remembered, it's the debut of online play for the Playstation 2. EA's shinier, PS3 football games -- arguably -- still cannot match the fun factor of the legendary 2004 edition.

Readers Choice: NFL 2K5

Because really? Who expected anything else? Not only did NFL 2K get nearly 90% of the votes, it do so while laughing at every other football game offering the past decade. This was the most one sided category for either the staff or the readers, so anyone thinking NFL 2K5's star might fade with time has been greatly mistaken.

Game: ESPN NFL 2K5Reader Score: 9.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / XboxVotes for game: 84 - View All

Member Comments

# 1 The GIGGAS @ 12/03/10 12:32 PM

So both were for past-gen systems.

Hmm.

# 2 Goffs @ 12/03/10 12:36 PM

2k5 forever

# 3 DJ @ 12/03/10 12:39 PM

I'm glad NCAA 2004 got some recognition. I voted for that game, but knew that 2K5 would win.

# 4 charter04 @ 12/03/10 12:47 PM

I just got 2k5 about a year ago and I can see why it would win. It is still a great game now. It's just harder to get into something when you missed it the first time around and now its 5 or 6 years latter. Madden 04 to 06 are really good games too. I have been playing a franchise with 06 for ps2 and it makes me sick how great the franchise mode is compared to any next gen version. Oh what could have been.

# 5 Fiddy @ 12/03/10 12:48 PM

awesome. long live these 2 great games!!

# 6 rudeworld @ 12/03/10 12:51 PM

that game had everything....even the "slouch" was on the cover......lol but the game was far from a "slouch"... it was a 1st day purchase for me and lucky for me I had the PS2 HDD so I seen all the half time highlights... awesome gameplay, extras, and the franchise was great.... no other football game have come close to this game still and the graphics were not that bad....if they can update this game to HD even with 2004/5 rosters I would still play this game.... matter of fact if I can find it 2day I'm gonna get it... NFL 2K11 or 12 or 13....Please!!!

# 7 vln13 @ 12/03/10 01:07 PM

2k5!!!

Really, the fun factor on NCAA 04 was great. I would also not count out Madden 10 or the original NFL 2k game as a bronze tier. Great choices!

# 8 malachijohn666 @ 12/03/10 02:09 PM

I just wish the ps3 would play 2k5... I am dying to try it.

# 9 DaReapa @ 12/03/10 02:25 PM

"Time passes on, but ESPN NFL 2K5 does not."

Never has there been a truer statement.

# 10 bigsmallwood @ 12/03/10 03:48 PM

2K5 FOREVER, 2K5 For the Win! I am very glad to hear that people's common sense has not escaped them when it comes to this game. This is the Greatest NFL Football game of All-Time, until the NFL allows 2K to make another one

# 11 BlackRome @ 12/03/10 04:44 PM

"Releasing at only $20, ESPN NFL 2K5 will likely go down as the greatest sports gaming bargain of all time. "

Or the most overrated sports game of all time.

Take your choice.

# 12 mestevo @ 12/03/10 05:47 PM

Nostalgia wins

# 13 sithlord06 @ 12/03/10 06:18 PM

Greatest football game made, no doubt, scared the pants off EA Sports and all their fan boys. Imagine if there was a 2K11 out right now, it would be kicking Madden's butt. That game had features that took 5 yrs for EA to emulate.

# 14 Armor and Sword @ 12/03/10 06:27 PM

NFL2K5 is a great game. But NCAA 2011 is my go to football game of choice now. Deep, great feel, tight gameplay, good presentation (not 2K like but good) and a deep dynasty mode.

NFL2K5 is a game I still play and really like. But it has serious gameplay flaws too. Sliders can't solve some of the bugs in pass defense.

As far as presentation, and a deep immersive franchise mode NFL2K5 is unmatched. But I beg to differ on gameplay and fun factor. I think they have plenty of competition in that regard:

NCAA 2011
Madden 2005
And yes Madden 2011 all compare in gameplay and fun factor in my book.

# 15 cquigley @ 12/03/10 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sithlord06


	Greatest football game made, no doubt, scared the pants off EA Sports and all their fan boys. Imagine if there was a 2K11 out right now, it would be kicking Madden's butt. That game had features that took 5 yrs for EA to emulate.

Idk I feel like madden would've actually made better games over the past years had they had some actual competition. EA became complacent and it made crap games. They're turning it around now, but 2K5 is still one of the best sports games around.

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# 16 shavane @ 12/04/10 07:22 PM

crazy ain't it 5 years ago on a last gen gaming system and still superior to any other football game ever made...2k5 forever can't wait till 2k gets back in the game.

# 17 dickey1331 @ 12/05/10 09:26 AM

I guess I was one of those 10% that didnt vote for 2K5.

# 18 southzeztpdot @ 12/05/10 09:33 AM

It's funny how people claim 2k5 was the best football game ever when reviewers didnt even think that. IGN gave madden a 9.5 and 2k5 and 9.4. Gamepro gave both 2005 and 2k5 10/10. People only hype it up because there is no 2k series anymore.

# 19 H to the Oza @ 12/05/10 01:12 PM

I played the **** of 2k5. Award well deserved

# 20 cquigley @ 12/05/10 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southzeztpdot


	It's funny how people claim 2k5 was the best football game ever when reviewers didnt even think that. IGN gave madden a 9.5 and 2k5 and 9.4. Gamepro gave both 2005 and 2k5 10/10. People only hype it up because there is no 2k series anymore.

Who gives a **** what a couple reviewers think? Look at this thread alone, the sports gamers believe its the best.

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