ESPN NFL FOOTBALL 2K5 drops price to just 19.99!!!

[Numbskull]

Looks like they are going for EA's throat this year. I also have an unconfirmed new release date of July 28th.

I already ordered mine. This is coming right after Sega announced that Take-Two Interactive will publish their games. Take-Two has been known to drop prices, just not like this.

Five Reasons Why ESPN NFL KICKS ###:

Why ESPN Will Kick Arse (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/522/522092p1.html)

New Release Date:

Release Date (http://www.espnvideogames.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=18049)


Price Drop Info:

Take-Two Interactive (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/521/521878p1.html)
IGN PRICEDROP (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/522/522388p1.html)
GAMESPOT PRICEDROP (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sports/espnnflfootball2005/news_6100283.html)


Order:

GAMESTOP (http://www.gamestop.com/search.asp?sortby=title&searchtype=quicksearch&searchcount=12&keyword=espn+nfl&platform=0)
EB GAMES (http://ebgames.com/ebx/product/243255.asp)

[Psychosis]

Thanks numbskull! This is a huge low blow to EA. Who wouldn't want to spend $20 for a football game instead of $50. Great.

[Woody]

Sega Sports for life mother<img src='images/smilies/censored.gif'>ers.

My only concern is the price. It's great that it's going to be $19.99.... but what about the numbnuts who don't know about(or have been ignoring) the NFL2K Series? They'll just write the game off as a "Made for Bargain Bin" garbage game and move on.

This is a bold move by Sega & Take-Two.

[Mouldsie]

JULY!?! Will the rosters be accurate?


I wish they would assign an expert to each team. There are so many times when it's obvious a player will make the team but aren't even on the roster.... for Madden and ESPN.

[RockStar36]

I'll take Madden. There is a reason they are dropping the price like that....desperation. They know their game is inferior.

Not only that, but that release date isn't even close to being confirmed. The only thing I saw on that link was a rumor about it coming out early. And those 5 reasons that make ESPN so great...only 1 of those are actually better than Madden. "QB Evade"?? Yeah, that's called "Playmaker" on Madden. It came out last year.

Those classic games? Nah, I'll take owner mode in Madden and try to build a dynasty instead. Madden does have classic teams and can still play classic games. In fact, I'm pretty sure if you set up a situation with a classic team you could probably do exactly what ESPN did...amazing, isn't it?

[Psychosis]

Originally posted by billsfan4life2003
I'll take Madden. There is a reason they are dropping the price like that....desperation. They know their game is inferior.


You're kidding me. This is like bush vs kerry. It's a politician race with each one trying to do anything to take the advantage over their opponent. This is also to make espn's fans who complain about paying $50 for a football game, happy.

[dogginbox]

Originally posted by billsfan4life2003
I'll take Madden. There is a reason they are dropping the price like that....desperation. They know their game is inferior.

Not only that, but that release date isn't even close to being confirmed. The only thing I saw on that link was a rumor about it coming out early. And those 5 reasons that make ESPN so great...only 1 of those are actually better than Madden. "QB Evade"?? Yeah, that's called "Playmaker" on Madden. It came out last year.

Those classic games? Nah, I'll take owner mode in Madden and try to build a dynasty instead. Madden does have classic teams and can still play classic games. In fact, I'm pretty sure if you set up a situation with a classic team you could probably do exactly what ESPN did...amazing, isn't it?


bingo:thumbup:

[dogginbox]

btw this is unconfirmed, so far only thing i see about the price is for online orders being $19.99

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/522/522388p1.html

[Numbskull]

Originally posted by billsfan4life2003
I'll take Madden. There is a reason they are dropping the price like that....desperation. They know their game is inferior.

Not only that, but that release date isn't even close to being confirmed. The only thing I saw on that link was a rumor about it coming out early. And those 5 reasons that make ESPN so great...only 1 of those are actually better than Madden. "QB Evade"?? Yeah, that's called "Playmaker" on Madden. It came out last year.

Those classic games? Nah, I'll take owner mode in Madden and try to build a dynasty instead. Madden does have classic teams and can still play classic games. In fact, I'm pretty sure if you set up a situation with a classic team you could probably do exactly what ESPN did...amazing, isn't it?

Don't be such a douche'.....

To say that ESPN is inferior just highlights your ignorance. Its called be a closed minded fanboy. Lets see:


Does Madden have blown out music ripping and editting?? NO.....

Madden Player Cards or ESPN Crib 3x as big as last year's? Most would agree crib.

Virtual Identity Profile over EA Bio by a landslide.

Online Leagues with Living Rosters? So far EA doesn't have it.

Week by Week practice and player micromanagement with week by week player progress... Not even close.

First Person Football Cam on the fly (Switch in and out of 1st and 3rd person)

Madden can't touch Espn when it comes to fluid animations. No way.

The best sports presentation money can buy? No, Madden gets smoked in this area too.

Graphics aguements are made up strickly on opinions. Look at this picture and say they aren't superb...

http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/article/522/522092/espn-nfl-2005-20040608060242894-000.jpg

[dogginbox]

madden is for simulation espn is for arcade players

[Numbskull]

Originally posted by dogginbox
madden is for simulation espn is for arcade players

Dude, you obviously have no clue what you are talking about. Elaborate and tell me why you think so. Is it cause the paseing is not exactly like Madden? Get over it then, THIS GAME IS NOT TRYING TO BE MADDEN!! ESPN doesn't care about owners mode, because they are going in a different direction.

[Numbskull]

Originally posted by MacLeod
This is also to make espn's fans who complain about paying $50 for a football game, happy.

Actually, this is an attempt to break Madden's strangle hold on the football game industry. They want people try give their product a shot. ESPN has matched EA in quality no doubt, but they can't break the brand name with quality by itself. Madden outsells ESPN 10:1 and ESPN is trying to build a fanbase. Madden gets by that on name alone. Alot of Madden players are now gonna have a chance to see what else is out there cause of the new price. Also you have the Microsoft, Sony, and Midway football franchises that folded for the year; ESPN would sure like to pick up those customers.

Basically its about getting the game out there. And its working. They are already beating Halo 2 in preorders and are #1 and #3 in overall game preorders on the Xbox and PS2 respectively . Thats just 2 days they've had this price. Think about this: if they sell twice as much as they did last year (and they will) they will make the same profit, but they will still cut into Madden's share of the business and maybe take a few customers for next year when they will prolly raise the price with a new larger fanbase. Its not desperation, its most likely a smart move.

[dogginbox]

ive played a few different versions of espn and it just seemed cheesy ,running the ball was gay including the animations which is supposed to be one of the pro's of the espn franchise

ive just walked away from espn w/ the feeling of playing a kids game

[Mouldsie]

Originally posted by dogginbox
ive played a few different versions of espn and it just seemed cheesy ,running the ball was gay including the animations which is supposed to be one of the pro's of the espn franchise

ive just walked away from espn w/ the feeling of playing a kids game

That was last year....




Here's my opinion

NFL2k = Madden 2000
NFL2k1 > Madden 2001
NFL2k2 > Madden 2002
NFL2k3 < Madden 2003
ESPN Football 2004 < Madden 2004
ESPN Football 2005 ? Madden 2005


I'm definately not going to pre-order Madden this year like I did last year because it looks like Sega Sports is making a comeback.

[Numbskull]

Originally posted by dogginbox
ive played a few different versions of espn and it just seemed cheesy ,running the ball was gay including the animations which is supposed to be one of the pro's of the espn franchise

ive just walked away from espn w/ the feeling of playing a kids game

Elaborate gay... Really, I have no clue what you are talking about. What is cheesier than Mario Running which Madden has had since its inception (IE running standing still because of a lineman)? There is nothing cheesy about it. You walked away from it because its not Madden.

By the way.... What is your definition of an arcadey feeling game? Because I know for a fact the ESPN is slower than Madden and that there are far less exploits.

[Numbskull]

Originally posted by MOULDSROCKS
That was last year....




Here's my opinion

NFL2k = Madden 2000
NFL2k1 > Madden 2001
NFL2k2 > Madden 2002
NFL2k3 < Madden 2003
ESPN Football 2004 < Madden 2004
ESPN Football 2005 ? Madden 2005


I'm definately not going to pre-order Madden this year like I did last year because it looks like Sega Sports is making a comeback.

I hated NFL 2k2. That was an arcade feeling game if Sega ever had one. NFL 2k3 though is one of my favorite games ever. I don't agree that Madden was better in 2003. My rankings...

NFL 2k > Madden 200
NFL 2k1 > Madden 2001
NFL 2k2 < Madden 2002
NFL 2k3 > Madden 2003
ESPN NFL Football = Madden 2004

[dogginbox]

gay as in being butt raped for wasting my time


see i try espn every yr and have the same feeling everytime, like i was playing a kids game

[Numbskull]

Originally posted by dogginbox
gay as in being butt raped for wasting my time


see i try espn every yr and have the same feeling everytime, like i was playing a kids game

How about being clear and elaborate with your thinking. Why does it feel like a kids game?

[Psychosis]

As far as espn is concerned, if you have a problem with game speed then you can make it slow in the settings. It doesn't feel like arcade to me if I slow it down. If you want an arcade game then make it fast. It's not very hard. I have an open mind about these games. I bought both 2k4 and madden, guess which one I ended up trading back? Madden. I feel the 2k series was better last year and will continue to get a lot better.

[Psychosis]

Originally posted by Numbskull
Actually, this is an attempt to break Madden's strangle hold on the football game industry. They want people try give their product a shot. ESPN has matched EA in quality no doubt, but they can't break the brand name with quality by itself. Madden outsells ESPN 10:1 and ESPN is trying to build a fanbase. Madden gets by that on name alone. Alot of Madden players are now gonna have a chance to see what else is out there cause of the new price. Also you have the Microsoft, Sony, and Midway football franchises that folded for the year; ESPN would sure like to pick up those customers.

Basically its about getting the game out there. And its working. They are already beating Halo 2 in preorders and are #1 and #3 in overall game preorders on the Xbox and PS2 respectively . Thats just 2 days they've had this price. Think about this: if they sell twice as much as they did last year (and they will) they will make the same profit, but they will still cut into Madden's share of the business and maybe take a few customers for next year when they will prolly raise the price with a new larger fanbase. Its not desperation, its most likely a smart move.


You could say that. Yes by lowering they are trying to attract the maddenites. I'm sure they'd be willing to spend 20 for 2k, but not 50 just to try it out. At the same time, like I said, I think they are trying to make some of their fans happier by lowering the price.

[dogginbox]

i try the espn games once every yr , and i dont remember what it was in particular cuz it was a while ago but i remember having that feeling after i played it

but ill play this yrs version and maybe even buy it for the $20 tag cuz i do like some of the new features and tell you what i think,
but it comes down to gameplay for me and so far espn just dont have it

[Napalm]

I am a Madden Die hard... But for 20 bucks, looks like I am gonna own both ESPN and Madden this year.

[RockStar36]

Originally posted by Numbskull
Don't be such a douche'.....

To say that ESPN is inferior just highlights your ignorance. Its called be a closed minded fanboy. Lets see:


Does Madden have blown out music ripping and editting?? NO.....

Madden Player Cards or ESPN Crib 3x as big as last year's? Most would agree crib.

Virtual Identity Profile over EA Bio by a landslide.

Online Leagues with Living Rosters? So far EA doesn't have it.

Week by Week practice and player micromanagement with week by week player progress... Not even close.

First Person Football Cam on the fly (Switch in and out of 1st and 3rd person)

Madden can't touch Espn when it comes to fluid animations. No way.

The best sports presentation money can buy? No, Madden gets smoked in this area too.

Graphics aguements are made up strickly on opinions. Look at this picture and say they aren't superb...

http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/article/522/522092/espn-nfl-2005-20040608060242894-000.jpg



You can say all you want. Cuz all are your opinions. You haven't even played the damn game. But call me a douche? You better chill the hell out. There is a reason Madden is king. ESPN is dropping their price to try and bring Madden people over to the ESPN side. It is called DESPERATION. Look it up.

[RockStar36]

Here...I'll help you out.

desperation

\Des`per*a"tion\, n. [L. desperatio: cf. OF. desperation.]

2. A state of despair, or utter hopeless; abandonment of hope



If ESPN is so much better than Madden, how come Madden outsells the hell outta ESPN? Is there a national ESPN challenge where people across the country compete in that wonderful game. Face it. EA is the BEST>

[Napalm]

Originally posted by billsfan4life2003
You can say all you want. Cuz all are your opinions. You haven't even played the damn game. But call me a douche? You better chill the hell out. There is a reason Madden is king. ESPN is dropping their price to try and bring Madden people over to the ESPN side. It is called DESPERATION. Look it up.


Not to mention, doesn't EA have exclusive rights this year for player names, team names (Could be wrong about that one), and player numbers?

If so, then who the hell is gonna pay 50 bucks for the game? Not no true Madden player... So they drop the price to HOPE that maybe they can keep pace and make a profit.

hmmm. Actually, if EA does have exclusive rights as I mentioned above, then maybe since the Players union doesn't get a cut in the profits..... and with the "Greatest Hits" price, ESPN could give Maddens a run for its money...

[Woody]

It's not desperation... Sega is just throwing a bone to the ignorant, claybrained Madden-heads who won't give any other football game the time of day.

[RockStar36]

I never thought about that. But that could be a HUGE reason why they dropped the price. And I still won't pay for it. I like to have play names and numbers.

[Woody]

EA made a Billion dollar offer for the exclusive rights but nothing ever came of it. When asked about the offer the NFLPA denied everything.

[RockStar36]

First of all, I did try ESPN last year. I rented it. And I'm glad that's all I did with it. It just isn't as good. The thing I love about EA more than anything is the off-season it has. ESPN can have all the wonderful graphics it wants,because in my opinion, it looks more arcade to me and I honestly think Madden looks better. I also owned NFL 2k2, so I'm not quite ignorant when it comes to other football games. But until ESPN can match up with the off-season Madden presents, I see no reason to switch.

[Numbskull]

Originally posted by billsfan4life2003
Here...I'll help you out.

desperation

\Des`per*a"tion\, n. [L. desperatio: cf. OF. desperation.]

2. A state of despair, or utter hopeless; abandonment of hope



If ESPN is so much better than Madden, how come Madden outsells the hell outta ESPN? Is there a national ESPN challenge where people across the country compete in that wonderful game. Face it. EA is the BEST>

Its like talking to a brick wall. :bangwall:

This will be my last attempt to educate you. The NFLPA deal was a rumor. The Sports Business Journal, who printed it in the first place, retracted it. This time, actually read the article. (http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/05/18/news_6098784.html) I already explained why Madden sells more and thats because people think its the only thing out there. Madden football is one of the longest franchises in video game history and its a brand that football gamers identify with. Reviewers score ESPN/NFL2Kx right next to Madden every year. The problem is that people don't know its out there. Thats the reason it is $20. Not because it is inferior, but because they want people to try it and begin building up a fan base. They know it starts with gamers giving their game a chance. If both Madden and ESPN are sitting on a shelf and they are the same price then the casual gamer will pick up Madden cause its the brand name they've heard of. Its a marketing strategy to grab more players and loyal fans. Casual gamers now will pick it up and give it a try because $20 is an impulse bye.

Anyway, the strategy is already working. ESPN 2k5 on Xbox is currently the #1 preordered game on EBGames. ESPN 2k5 on PS2 follows it up at #2. Its outselling Halo 2 and everything else on the market.

[Numbskull]

Originally posted by billsfan4life2003
First of all, I did try ESPN last year. I rented it. And I'm glad that's all I did with it. It just isn't as good. The thing I love about EA more than anything is the off-season it has. ESPN can have all the wonderful graphics it wants,because in my opinion, it looks more arcade to me and I honestly think Madden looks better. I also owned NFL 2k2, so I'm not quite ignorant when it comes to other football games. But until ESPN can match up with the off-season Madden presents, I see no reason to switch.

That is all your opinion. Almost anyone who follows football games has seen that Madden hasn't truly rebuilt its football engine since 2001 and ESPN has been evolving every year into a new and better game. If you are happy with little add ons like "Hit Stick"... fine.

[RockStar36]

Originally posted by Numbskull
That is all your opinion. Almost anyone who follows football games has seen that Madden hasn't truly rebuilt its football engine since 2001 and ESPN has been evolving every year into a new and better game. If you are happy with little add ons like "Hit Stick"... fine.

Ummm...."Hit Stick" is the newest thing for ESPN.

[Psychosis]

Originally posted by billsfan4life2003
Ummm...."Hit Stick" is the newest thing for ESPN.


No it's not. It's control tackling. And if i'm not mistaken, it was espn who first revealed it, then madden.

[Psychosis]

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/espnnflfootball2005/preview_6100050.html

[RockStar36]

So then what about "Playmaker"? And my bad, "Hit Stick" is the newest thing for Madden.

[RockStar36]

"Does Madden have blown out music ripping and editting?? NO....."

Oh...FYI, it's not ESPN that neccessarily has the music ripping, that's the X-Box system. It's called a "custom soundtrack". Madden had it last year.

[FrankieA]

For 20-bucks you can't be wrong especially a brand new NFL game. I'd buy it but Madden would still be my weapon of choice.

OT-With ABC and ESPN being affiliated doesn't this cause a conflict of interest between Madden and the ESPN people?

[RockStar36]

And if you think "Hit stick" is the only new thing. Read up....

http://www.buffalorange.com/showthread.php?threadid=50236

[Wally]

I have never really played ESPN football but now I am definately gonna pick it up when it comes out.

[Mouldsie]

Originally posted by Woody
It's not desperation... Sega is just throwing a bone to the ignorant, claybrained Madden-heads who won't give any other football game the time of day.

[d1220]

Last year I purchased Madden 04, 2k4 and NFL Fever for the xbox. First off, ESPN 2k4 hands down wins in the graphics department. In my opinion the Madden grapgics looked too cartoonish. The Madden 'Playmaker' controlls are easier to execute than ESPN's version. In Madden, we all know the right thumbstick is used to control the linebackers/D-backs placement on run and pass, ESPN the same task can be done on the Xbox by holding the black or white button while moving the right thumbstick. Not a whole lot of difference.

I was always a Die Hard Madden fan...since nintendo 64. With my Dreamcast I liked Madden better, but NFL2k1 could be played online with the DC...so that was my choice then. After the death of Dreamcast it was Madden all the way on my PS2. For almost 2 years now I've had an Xbox, and I've owned both games both years, and given a lot of play to each, but last year ESPN won my loyalty. Having Chris Berman do the halftime show saying your players stats was awesome. The graphics were superb. If you look at ebgames.com, they have ESPN 2k4 as one of the highest rated Xbox games ever.

My point is, don't make judgement on anything based soley on reputation. If you have been used to playing a specific football game for years, playing another game takes a long, long time to get used to and thoroughly enjoy. For the first four or five months I kept hitting switch player when I wanted to hit tackle...very frusturating. Give it a fair chance, and you may change your opinion.

[Woody]

Yeah man don't forget about Quarterback Club and 989 Sports.. lol j/k.


Originally posted by FrankieA
For 20-bucks you can't be wrong especially a brand new NFL game.

[RockStar36]

Graphics are all great and wonderful on both games, and maybe they might be better on ESPN. My point is, Madden and EA win in the off-season departments. On ALL games. And that is one my favorite things to do in the game. So until ESPN can live up with that, I'll be an EA guy.

[d1220]

Woody... You can't forget about the mother of all football games... Tecmo Bowl. I remember they made LT crazy fast on that game.

[Woody]

True that... Bo Jackson was off the hook! And the Jerry Rice trick play never failed. :niterider

Originally posted by d1220
Woody... You can't forget about the mother of all football games... Tecmo Bowl. I remember they made LT crazy fast on that game.

[Numbskull]

Graphics are all great and wonderful on both games, and maybe they might be better on ESPN. My point is, Madden and EA win in the off-season departments. On ALL games. And that is one my favorite things to do in the game. So until ESPN can live up with that, I'll be an EA guy.


http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v293/knmskul/crack.jpg

[RoboticBill]

I'll try it for $20. I played some of its predecessors but wasnt impressed. I like the idea of knocking Madden off its horse!!!!

[RockStar36]

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v293/knmskul/crack.jpg

I am, tell your mom thanks for the hook up.

[Mouldsie]

ok boys, smack, especially the pitiful smack I see hear, is not for the gaming forum. :D

[Karl]

I bought both games last year and I liked both of them in the game play category. But Madden defiantly wins the extras category. I can't wait for story mode in Madden that is going to be awesome.

[Numbskull]

ok boys, smack, especially the pitiful smack I see hear, is not for the gaming forum. :D

:)

Whatever happened to that smack talking contest on these boards?

[Mouldsie]

We could try and get another one going if you would like....

[RockStar36]

I'm in.

[Numbskull]

We could try and get another one going if you would like....

I would.....

Loved the old one even though I got slaughtered the first time.....

[billpa]

This isn't only good for ESPN fans. Don't expect Madden to sit there at $50 while ESPN is being snatched up by everyone that wants to pay less than half that price. I bet Madden will drop it's price too.

[Mouldsie]

check the smackdown forum

[WhiteRabbit]

Guess I read this thread too late, but anyhow, here is what I feel what makes madden a little better ...

First and most importantly, the way it interacts with NCAA Football by EA sports. I love drafting real players its really fun.

Second thing is realism, just in certain situations, Madden seems to be more realistic than any other football games.

But again, my favorite feature is its interaction with NCAA Football.

[pigskin]

I have always bought the EA Sports line. They had always been the best. Well last year I decided to take a chance on ESPN Hockey on the advice of the guy at EB Games. I played the NHL 2004 at a friend's house and the ESPN blew it away. With a price like $20, I might have to give that a try!

[WhiteRabbit]

I have always bought the EA Sports line. They had always been the best. Well last year I decided to take a chance on ESPN Hockey on the advice of the guy at EB Games. I played the NHL 2004 at a friend's house and the ESPN blew it away. With a price like $20, I might have to give that a try!

Yeah, I will give ESPN Hockey a try, but I just enjoy the NCAA/Madden combo too much to switch over (sucks I don't have time like I used to play them though, sheesh) :D

[Denverbillsfan]

Here is a good question. I looked on EB Games and the only game Espn Football game for 19.99 was for the X box. Will this price also be for PS2? I could not find the game even listed for PS2.

[Psychosis]

Here is a good question. I looked on EB Games and the only game Espn Football game for 19.99 was for the X box. Will this price also be for PS2? I could not find the game even listed for PS2.

It should be the same price for both systems.

[two4trippn]

Just ordered my copy from espnvideogames.com WOOHOO!