90
The single most glaring problem with 2K5...is the crowd A.I. The audience is just flat-out stupid, and this is terribly unfortunate because it distracts from what would otherwise be a totally immersive NFL gaming experience. [Sept 2004, p.86]
80
Where Madden's defensive co-ordination has been tightened up, ESPN's is a little slacker, with offensives able to turn up the heat on the occasionally sleepy and slow rearguard with little effort.
80
A few less than spectacular extra features complete the package. Worth mention only for reference these include annoying celebrity matches, and a frustrating ESPN 25th anniversary mode, where the top 25 plays in football are reenacted by the player.
10
Has to be one of the best sports video games of all time, beautiful broadcast presentation, fun gameplay, fun but challenging simulation, features that we still don't even see in modern football games. Still fun to just pick up and play.
10
This is THE perfect NFL simulation. Nothing before or since has really even come close to the feel of playing in an NFL football game. This is elden ring if madden was assassins creed. Its just on another level. The game play never gets old, even 20 years later. There is no better feeling than reading a defense, calling an audible, adjusting your routes and easily performing pre-snap motions. Madden has been bad lately because there is no competition. Madden was at its peak in 2004 because of this game. To me, this is the only place to turn when I crave NFL football. Being able to emulate this on steam deck is another huge bonus. Playing this on the train is exactly what you think it is.. DANGEROUS! they will steal your deck in minutes. Anyway this is the greatest NFL football game of all time. I pray for one day having a new 2K NFL football game in my hand.
10
Best football game ever
ESPN NFL 2K5
Xbox
Released On:
Jul 20, 2004
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
92
User score
Mixed or Average
7.3
My Score
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Metascore
Universal Acclaim
92
100% Positive
42 Reviews
42 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
For a mere $20, Sega's game is every bit as deep, feature-rich and addictive as EA's powerhouse. I'm not saying that 2K5 is better than "Madden"...but it's just as good - no joke. [Sept 2004, p.84]
96
ESPN NFL 2K5 is the single greatest football game ever made. Even with a $49.99 price tag, this game would surely have been a huge seller. However, the $20 price makes this game a steal.
User score
Mixed or Average
7.3
71% Positive
58 Ratings
58 Ratings
6% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
23% Negative
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
Feb 19, 2025
10
Has to be one of the best sports video games of all time, beautiful broadcast presentation, fun gameplay, fun but challenging simulation, features that we still don't even see in modern football games. Still fun to just pick up and play.
Sep 29, 2023
10
This is THE perfect NFL simulation. Nothing before or since has really even come close to the feel of playing in an NFL football game. This is elden ring if madden was assassins creed. Its just on another level. The game play never gets old, even 20 years later. There is no better feeling than reading a defense, calling an audible, adjusting your routes and easily performing pre-snap motions. Madden has been bad lately because there is no competition. Madden was at its peak in 2004 because of this game. To me, this is the only place to turn when I crave NFL football. Being able to emulate this on steam deck is another huge bonus. Playing this on the train is exactly what you think it is.. DANGEROUS! they will steal your deck in minutes. Anyway this is the greatest NFL football game of all time. I pray for one day having a new 2K NFL football game in my hand.
95
ESPN NFL 2K5 has the best graphics that I have witnessed in a sports game to date... The V.I.P system is the coolest thing since controllers with shoulder buttons.
92
A great game. It just has an arcadey feel to it, but I guess Sega is trying to appeal to the common user and not the hardcore football fan.
90
Besides the online problems, that are getting better, the game is one of the best football games ever made.
85
A title which a lot of Australians will have fun with. A lot of gamers here are curious about American Football with the hype, big hits and spectacular plays but get turned off by the strategies in which ESPN NFL 2005 will be a perfect match.
80
Where Madden's defensive co-ordination has been tightened up, ESPN's is a little slacker, with offensives able to turn up the heat on the occasionally sleepy and slow rearguard with little effort.
Jul 15, 2023
10
Simply THE Best NFL Videogame Ever Made! For $20 (or less if you buy a used copy like I did) you get sooo much content and fun that it absolutely stomps all over the awful sports games of today that cost 10 times as much! Create-A-Player, Team Creator, The Crib, the fantastic Career mode, highly accurate physics, superb graphics, excellent controls, loads of fun extras including an awesome SportsCenter Halftime show, and so much more await you in this gem of a sports game that's still getting fanmade roster updates almost a full 20 years later! For those tired of the greedy asinine modern Madden titles, dig out and/or buy an old OG Xbox and play through this spectacular masterpiece to get your American Football fix!
May 22, 2023
10
The premier sim football game even after nearly 20 years. Unlike Madden, where the meta is to run backwards 20 yards and throw it to deep crosser routes, the gameplay and presentation of NFL 2K5 actually resemble football. Modders still regularly update the game with current rosters/uniforms/stadiums/face scans.
Feb 8, 2022
10
Coming from the trashy modern madden games, this game plays amazing!!! The presentation, gameplay, depth, its absolutely amazing! I am only 14 and once I was able to get my hands on this game I fell in love with it. Absolutely fantastic. The ability to play a version of yourself, and also the updated rosters sums it up for me. Perfect score all round.
Sep 5, 2021
10
This game could be the best sports video game of all time with amazing presentation and gameplay an incredibly deep and addictive franchise mode along with the crib and vip profiles this game also has the best ai ever in a sports game heck with your vip profile you can play yourself or friends if theirs was saved on yours that’s right you could play your friends even if they weren’t there
SummaryESPN NFL 2K5 is uniting fans with a coupling of the most responsive and intense gameplay and the richest multi-player gaming experience possible. Maximum Tackling brings unique on-field control allowing gamers to go for the wrap-up tackle or deliver the big highlight hit. The addition of the V.I.P. System? allows gamers to play friends, ... Read More
Rated Efor Everyone
Platforms:
- PlayStation 2
- Xbox
Initial Release Date:Jul 20, 2004
Developer:
Publisher:
