"Ironically more kin to the old PSX Madden games than the N64 variants..."

Back in November 2004, when the Nintendo DS was unleashed to the world, most of its library could be summed into three types: the tech-demo games that were slapped onto a cart and sent out (ie - Wario Ware Touched! and Yoshi's Touch and Go), games that focused almost exclusively around the then-gimmick of the touch screen (Feel the Magic), and then there was the third group: ports/updates from other systems (Super Mario 64 DS, Rayman DS, Asphalt Urban GT).

Madden NFL 2005 (aka Madden 05) for the DS is one of the third group, though it is more unique than most in said category. Whereas most of the ports and updates were taken from the N64 (and a few N-Gage projects), Madden 05 is almost literally ported strait from the Sony Playstation (PSX). Graphically well below the N64 (and WAAY below even early DS titles, even Super Mario 64 DS), the only real differences between this release and the old PSX Madden releases is the lack of a playlist of licensed music, large commentary bits, and the addition of DS-specific features (dual screen, etc).

Is this a bad thing? Yes and no. The biggest issue that most gamers have with Madden DS (any year) is that it is certainly nowhere near as complex as the console (and PSP) versions have become. Where the console releases continuously reach new levels of realism and depth with options like choosing your genetic profile and training every minute detail of your player, the DS release is a throwback to the old mid-90s era of when football games were still more arcade-like, with a dash of sim.

You still have a season mode, you have all of the teams and players (at least in name only; don't expect detailed character models) as of the 2004 season, and you can trade and buy players. There are custom play books, as well as dozens of defaults, and a decent replay system.

So what are the issues? For one, if you love the modern post-PS2 Madden games, you will have a heck of a time trying to get into this release. You pick a play, you play it, pick another, repeat. No mini-games to try to heal injured players faster, no genetic engineering for that perfect star, and no online options (due to Nintendo's own plans rather than EA's (still) lack of faith in the system).

However, if you just want to pick up and play a game of pigskin, you could do worse (NFL Quarterback Club on the N64 for one). It's certainly not the glorious game that most have come to expect from the console releases, and Madden 06 was notably improved (yet 07 DS was a step down), but still a fun game, especially since you can now find it on the cheap.

Score: 7 of 10

+ Best Features: Pick up and play, season mode, controls are responsive

- Worst Features: AI can be wierd (random acts of penalties on default), graphics, second screen is more of a hinderance

* If You Liked: Madden NFL 2006, 2007 (DS, PSP, PS2), NCAA Football (PSP, XB360, PS2, Genesis)

* Guilty Pleasure: Realizing that playing a PSX football game is actually more fun than what all the critics make it out to be.

- (Ugly) Reality: Madden 2007 DS introduced a very evil control aspect that is (thankfully) missing from the 2005/6 versions: using the touch screen to kick the ball, and the mic for audibles. Long story short, just using the touch screen and/or L/R for audibles and the standard meters for kicks is fine, thank you. Hopefully 2008 will drop that thing. [Update - Thankfully, in a way, 2008 did]

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/14/07, Updated 11/20/07

Game Release: Madden NFL 2005 (US, 11/17/04)