ESPN2k5 or Madden ?

[Crapshoot]

Yes, Im late to the party - just bought myself an X-box, and am trying to figure out which way I should go. I pickec up the used Madden 05 for about 15 bucks, and I'm wondering whether 2k is worth it additionaly. In terms of priority, the Franchise mode and careers are fairly important to me - I want the game to look good and play well, but if the draft is useless or FA is sign whoever, then its probably not my cup of tea.

Essentialy, are there any big improvements in 05 from 04 ? If not, does 2k5 do any of these things better ?

[scooper]

I'm guessing you meant Madden 04, not 05 for $15. If not, and you got 05 for $15, just drop the $20 and get ESPN as well. For that little, you can choose which one you actually like better.

If you meant 04, I can't help you, I didn't get Madden this year.

[Eaglesfan27]

Yes, Im late to the party - just bought myself an X-box, and am trying to figure out which way I should go. I pickec up the used Madden 05 for about 15 bucks, and I'm wondering whether 2k is worth it additionaly. In terms of priority, the Franchise mode and careers are fairly important to me - I want the game to look good and play well, but if the draft is useless or FA is sign whoever, then its probably not my cup of tea.

Essentialy, are there any big improvements in 05 from 04 ? If not, does 2k5 do any of these things better ?
If the Franchise mode and career mode is important, you should stick with Madden. I have both and only play Madden's Franchise mode which is very good particularly for a console game.

If you have an extra 20 dollars and want to play a great multiplayer game (online or with friends in the same place) I recommend trying ESPN Football. It's a great bargain for that for only 20 dollars.

[Crapshoot]

Scoop - got 05 of Amazon used for 15. And you underestimate how damn cheap I am.. :D

If ESPN is primarily an online thing, then I probably won't invest in it - thanks EF. I dont think I would have the time for Xbox live or something like that.

[Ironhead]

Don't buy ESPN if you want franchise play. Franchise play on ESPN is pretty bad, especially if you are used to text sims.

[Noop]

Madden 2005 easy. Next question.

[Calis]

I agree with what Noop said, but with NFL2k5 replacing Madden. ;)

There are franchise issues which annoy me, but I find the gameplay difference to be more than enough to make it the winner this year by a quite a margin.

Now if we could add the Madden Franchise to NFL2k5, then we'd be in real good shape.

[Eaglesfan27]

I agree with what Noop said, but with NFL2k5 replacing Madden. ;)

There are franchise issues which annoy me, but I find the gameplay difference to be more than enough to make it the winner this year by a quite a margin.

Now if we could add the Madden Franchise to NFL2k5, then we'd be in real good shape.

I agree that the Madden Franchise with NFL2k5 Presentation and Gameplay would be excellent, but don't minimize the franchise issues. The salary cap is completely fubared in NFL2k5 and it makes renegotiations impossible/worthless. Madden's franchise mode is MUCH better and is closer to realism than any other console football game. I just had to gut my team in Madden to an extent due to hitting the salary cap, but not because of a salary cap bug.

[NoMyths]

ESPN 2K5 has the best gameplay of any football game I've played. The passes, in particular, actually look like realistic passes.