Just got my copy today. EBgames had it, but none at Best Buy, Target, or Wal-Mart.
Just played my first game and loved it. Berman's halftime highlights are cool. Portis was kicking some Philly ass, which got him the post game interview. I have a lot to learn and a lot to take in yet, before I really judge it one way or the other. I've played Madden on the PC for the past two years, so it will take me awhile to get all the controls down. The online features look cool as you can set up leagues and tournaments. This is going to be fun and my g/f will have to be patient with me for the next few weeks, LOL!
You can't go wrong for $20! I did rent NCAA 2005 this week and that was cool too.

lord these animations are the real deal. DBs react to missed interceptions right away, the QB scrambles have to be seen to be believed. i've checked all the videos for Madden'05, and EA finally attended to graphics, it looks fanastic, but ESPN makes em look like robots when they move i swear.

if they combined the models,textures,lighting of Madden with ESPN's animation system (along with dearly departed Fever's excellent Read n' Lead ), the NFL would be in trouble of being obsolete!

ok guys, heres another take. Playing a single game was fun, I killed teh Giants so playing on the default level might not be for me, even though ive never played a 2k game before.

Now the important test for me, since all I do is play franchises. I just did a complete year in a franchise. I simulated the games. I just wanted to see how it did all teh off season stuff. And frankly, I dont think it will be able to touch madden in the franchise mode. The game offeres some cool features, such as the crib, gamecast mode, and first person mode, but what im interested in is building a franchise, and they fall behind even madden 04 in this IMO.

I havent tried out the weekly gameplan stuff. This game has a lot of levels to it. Its also weird that preseason doesnt matter, From what I can tell your players progressoin changes in weeks 1-3, so preseason isnt that important.

For 20 bucks it will occupy my time until madden comes out, but I cant see my self playing it to much once I have madden.

man this weekly prep stuff is hard. Its weird seeing yoru players stats change so much week to week. I spent like 20 minutes gettign everythign setup, just to see that ladel betts rating droped 67 point, to a zero for that weeks game. I even gave him a deep tissue massage on friday, wtf

maybe he liked it too much...

deep tissue massage eh Canes? Are we still talking about 2K5. LOL

hey man, i didnt put the option there. It seemed like it would do him more good then accupuncture or artiscopic surgury.

well, it sent him into a coma... i'd have to say that's a pretty relaxed state...

I should be getting it tomorrow

I got to try it at work today and it was pretty sweet. I didn't have the time to begin a franchise or anything but the gameplay itself was a lot more realistic and thus more difficult, which is a good thing. I really enjoyed it and plan on getting my copy tommorrow even though I won't have a new system to play it on for another week,lol.

The price of Madden has to fall! Like all the other $50 games. Gamestop was even pushing Madden buyers to cop NCAA 2005 for $50 then trade it in for Madden 2005 for only $20 more. Total price? $70 for having NCAA 2005 'til Madden 2005 comes out. Of course I passed. By the way, I had Madden 2005 on reserve for months now.

if can't cough up the $20 for it, at least rent it (if you can find it). this game moves so nice its even nice to just watch.

I've played the game since Wendsday, and its growing on me more and more each day. I knew it would just take a few days to get used to playing it. I really like it.

Great game, but I'm still getting used to it (controls). Haven't started a Franchise yet, just a few 'quick games'

I'm really hooked on NCAA Football 2004 right now. I rented it back to back and decided I might as well buy it, picked it up on Ebay for $15.