Intro: EA Sports have out done themselves this year, each year they release a new football game hoping to make a better one each year, playing previous enstallements of Madden games I am really proud of what they have done. I own a copy of Madden Football on my SNES system and from there in EA has truely changed the experience of sport fans around the world. This year they have pulled out all stops with many new features! Lets see what Madden 2005 has in store for us gamers!

Graphics: Incredible. This game has come along way with graphics were players used to be square to now having hands and instant replay is so live like! From the players to the crowd ever player looks human, and the players look like themselves. What I love about the graphics in Madden 2005 is that you can customize your crowd, and when you create a player you have many choices to design your players appearance, you can also customize your jerseys how cool is that?!

Sound: Unfortunatley there are some minor glitches that EA Sports could've, should've fixed in the game and thats the referee when he makes his calls it is unclear what he says, other than that its really good quality. The announcers Al Michaels (Possibly a distant relative of mine) and John Madden call the game really well as it was an really NFL football game. Whats really cool with this years game theres an EA Sports Radio show after every game you play in Franchise Mode they talk about the game and also have player and coachs talking about the game which is another good addition to the game. In game play is really good also when your hit the sound of bone crushing hits is music to my ears, its truely realistic!

Game Play: Madden 2005 offers something other NFL games don't have with the new hit stick control you can change the games momentum by making ahuge hit to force a turnover and fire up the crowd. Time it right or get burned thats all I gotta say! Also there is a defensive play maker control which allows you to modify pre-snap assignments for each player on defense including double teams, blitzes, and specific match-ups. Also storyline central impacts your game by the stories that surround your team. Get the inside scoop from local and national newspapers, e-mail from assistant coaches, and Tony Bruno's weekly radio show. Also the franchise mode is something more than ever you get to see players morale and stature which are affected by on-field performance-reward a hard worker by naming them team captain or trade an unhappy player. Also last but not least Madden 2005 is playable online go head to head with someone on the worlds largest online sports gaming community with all-new quick play modes. With the new reputation ratings EA Sports ensures you a high quality gaming experience.

Overall: This game is awesome. Playing its competitor at a friends house ESPN Football 2005 is no where close to Madden 2005 the only thing it has an upper hand is the half time show and the end of game show. But simply put Madden 2005 is definatley a keeper and I am glad I got it from Christmas! Buy or Rent? Buy it of course you will get more out of the game and you won't get bored easy I have been playing this game since I got it and I love it, I won't part with it!