For over a decade, Madden has ruled the NFL gaming world. Yet a worthy adversary once threatened its stronghold.
To this day, some holdouts maintain that the Madden franchise has failed to match NFL 2K5, an underdog competitor for PlayStation 2 and XBox that sold for $19.99. Despite the far cheaper price, it matched and maybe even exceeded the currently reigning NFL monarch.
Ahead of its time, the bargain game featured ESPN personalities, including a Chris Berman-hosted halftime show hosted. Players could also face off against teams under the supervision of Jamie Kennedy, David Arquette, Steve-O, Funkmaster Flex and Carmen Electra. (In 2004, they all qualified as celebrities.)
Fearing its rival's rising momentum, EA Sports purchased an exclusive NFL gaming license to put NFL 2K out of commission. Take-Two Interactive's retaliation wiped out another missed gem, which will appear later in the rankings.
As a result of its premature demise, NFL 2K5 now stands as a cult hero taken too soon. Think of it as the gaming version of Freaks and Geeks, Firefly, Terriers or any other TV show that gained popularity after its unjust early termination.
