Okay, I tend to consider myself a lover of all videogames in most respects but one thing I just can't stomach is the fact that many people buy sports games every single year. They just HAVE to have the latest version of Madden or Fifa because it must be better then the previous game in some way, right? Well, frankly, no. That is not the case. This year's Madden '06 will be hitting the dusty pile of sports games at your local pawn shop in 8 months or less. Sports games can always be found on the "Pre-owned" shelf at every EB or Gamestop simply because people rush out to buy the new version, trading in (or trying to trade in) last years game. Now, EB and Gamestop know this. That is why on every special offer they have concerning trading in a certain number of titles to receive a free game there is ALWAYS fine-print declaring "No Sports games". I"m serious, check your fliers next time.

Now, why do people do this? I still have the 2002 editions of Madden and Fifa and that suits me fine. Do updated rosters really deserve fifty dollars of your money? How about a clunky new game mechanic (yes, Madden '06's passing cone, I'm talking about you) or some slightly tweaked franchise mode? Now, Sega sports had the right idea with their 2K5 games. They marketed them at a 20-30 dollar price which is really what sports games need. At that price I may consider getting the next year's version and it won't be nearly as costly. And the thing is they didn't cut quality to hit those low-prices. NHL 2K5 is probably the best hockey game I've played in years and NFL 2K5 outscored the new Madden game on many sites, including Gamespot. Methinks thats why EA thought it wise to effectively eliminate Sega Sports, they just couldn't compete. Basically what I'm trying to say is, don't let EA do this to you! Enjoy the games you have now, they are likely comparable to the new product in practically every way. Perhaps buy every second year or third, you save money and you allow some time for the developers to come up with something truly worthwhile.