Madden 2005 is the best Madden ever made

[JakeDantzler29]

Madden 2004 is right below it. What do you guys think?

[PML17]

Well, IMO, all the PC Madden's suck due to the comeback code. That's why I don't play Madden n the PC anymore.

[AaronS]

I've heard the comback code is not a part of 2004, but my graphics card won't run 2004 properly.

.. I thought 2005 was the best on the consoles. I would prefer to play 2004 on the CPU, but that is not an option until I upgrade.

[RedPhazon8]

For all the Madden Games I have for the PC, I haven't really seen any comeback code happen. (2004, 07, 08) Most of the time I'm just watching games, but I've never seen anything broken as far as coming back or being rubber band like.

[NickyJ]

It comes almost all the time when I'm playing. Especially at the end of games. If I'm leading by ten points with two minutes to go, the CPU is guaranteed at least two touchdowns. All that can be done to salvage a win is score a touchdown in between theirs.

[Gridiron]

Madden 2004's right below it. What do you guys think?

Are you serious?

I own MADDEN NFL 2004, 06, & 08.
2004 was great for when it arrived, the first one that was comparable to todays new versions. The first with Playmaker controls.
2005 EA overemphasized the defense (Hit Stick).
2006 rebalanced the simulation (Truck Stick) and is basically an enhanced 2004 with graphics tweaks and Superstar Mode..
2007 featured incremental presentation change, and play tweaks, but kept the balance.
2008 further refined the simulation with Hit Stick 2 and other small tweaks. The graphics were further refined.

Except for 2005 each year MADDEN got better.

Ergo, 2008 was the best out of the box.
Add in the abundant user mods, can there really be any question here?


I suspect their "comeback code" is a part of playing on the highest skill level.
When playing on a lower skill level, I don't think the "comeback code" is invoked.

[PML17]

I suspect their "comeback code" is a part of playing on the highest skill level.
When playing on a lower skill level, I don't think the "comeback code" is invoked.

I have been playing Madden since I was 4 with my Grandpa, so I can only play on All-Madden, If I go any lower, I blow out the CPU!

[Gridiron]

I really don't grok your attitude about the MADDEN AI PMan17.
The best opponent is another human.
That's what MADDEN was originally designed for.
The CPU's AI is merely for practice, to offer you a challenge to sharpen your skills.
Without that "comeback code" on the higher level, some may find the AI a bit boring.

[PML17]

I agree, Madden is best playing other humans. I'm up for a challenge, but when I'm up by 14 with less than a minute left in the game, I should worry about losing.
I have only seen the 'Comeback Code' with the PC version, so I have moved on. I have play Madden on PS1and 2, PSP, Wii, and haven't seen it before. I have gone with the Wii, since it the is the only console that I have that 13 is coming out on, and I refuse ti buy a 'Next Gen' system. I'm not saying that because of the 'Comeback Code' no one can play on the PC, but back to what I said in the first place :

Well, IMO, all the PC Madden's suck due to the comeback code. That's why I don't play Madden on the PC anymore.

Again, it's my opinion, not forcing it on anyone. But I do completely agree with you.

[AaronS]

Except for 2005 each year MADDEN got better.

Ergo, 2008 was the best out of the box.
Add in the abundant user mods, can there really be any question here?

I couldn't disagree more.

Gameplay leveled off in 2006, and hasn't improved since. Even on the consoles.

.. and don't even get me started on the console versions. EA should be embarrassed to have released some of that garbage. But since they're the only show in town they can get away with it.

But the biggest negative to me is the sim engine. I play deep into franchises, and the broken sim engine is too great a negative to say the late CPU versions are good. I have to use a 2nd party app to get realistic stats, or wipe/edit them myself, and that is a JOKE!.. For a company with a slogan like "It's in the Game" HA!!... guess they aren't talking about realistic stats.

I'll be back to 2004 once I have the $$ to build another CPU.