Sports Games of the Decade: Football Game of the Decade

[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.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Sports Games of the Decade: Football Game of the Decade

So both were for past-gen systems.

Hmm.

[Goffs]

2k5 forever

[DJ]

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

[charter04]

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.

[Fiddy]

Re: Sports Games of the Decade: Football Game of the Decade

awesome. long live these 2 great games!!

[rudeworld]

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!!!

[The Teacher]

I really miss 2K5. Need to get it for nostalgia sake.

[vln13]

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!

[malachijohn666]

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

[DaReapa]

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

Never has there been a truer statement.

[bigsmallwood]

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

[BlackRome]

"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.

[mestevo]

Nostalgia wins

[JustinSainn]

"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."

EA, Madden dev team, are you listening? You wanna win people over, take this game, copy everything about it and give it next gen graphics. You'll never hear nearly the amount of complaining that you do now ever again.