Madden NFL 2005 (PlayStation 2)

MADDEN NFL 2005 can easily be played by family members ages 8 to 80, so there's a minimum of meltdown moments for younger players.

New defensive tools allow you to make more plays and be in on all of the action. The new Hit Stick lets you either make a huge tackle and force a turnover or, if you don't time it well, get the short end of the stick yourself. With the Storyline Central, you get the inside scoop around the league from radio host Tony Bruno, along with local and national newspapers, to help you make critical franchise decisions. You can affect players' morale, customize your crowd, all while making great offensive and defensive plays (defense is quite improved in the 2005 version).

This game is great for all football lovers. The graphics are super and it's easily played by a variety of ages and levels of skill. It's perfect for a rainy afternoon and a terrific alternative to more dicey video games.

It's football, so expect big tackles and some injuries. It has a sense of humor and the best realism of all the sports games. There are great plays, brilliant graphics, the ever fabulous Madden, and fun fans that make kids laugh. (They can design their own avid fans.)