ESPN NFL Football 2K4

There are some reasons to get Madden over this, if you can only afford one game. The first is the college drafting from Madden to NCAA (but if you can only get one game, then you can't afford NCAA 2004, too, so go with Sega). The other is the owner mode in Madden. It's just not as deep here. Also, the gameplay--out of first person--is still a little ragged. The stadiums and player models look gorgeous compared to Madden, but the players' movements are a little jumpy. But if you can afford both games, and if you're a football fan or ex-player, trust me, you have to be able to afford both, go for it. You cannot afford to not at least rent this baby. It's amazing.