Madden NFL 2004 Critic Reviews

Knocks the chin strap up around the nose of the competition. It's simply the most realistic simulation of football available, and once again, the industry standard.

Of course, the game feels best when played with the PS2 controller. The Xbox and the GameCube are fine, too, but their button layouts force sometimes awkward finger stretching.

The most complete and polished piece of football software I've ever spun (!) on my PS2.

If you demand the ultimate in presentation and extras, look no further than Madden NFL 2004.

Without question, the year's best football game...again.

Yep, Tiburon's gotta go and give us a new greatest NFL game ever made. Again. And they'll probably do it again next year.

Simply the deepest sports game ever made. It's got almost everything a football fan could ever want in a game - and then some.

Looking for more depth? Take the owner's seat and relocate your team, set concession stand prices in your new stadium and hire your coaching staff. Ditka: Send us your resume.

Madden 2004 for the PS2 may be the most complete game I've ever played, period. There is more virtual football reality available in this game than you could ever hope to find on TV, in the newspapers or on the internet.

Adding a mind-boggling level of depth is the Owner Mode, which lets you negotiate salaries, build a stadium, and - for the detail obsessed - even set prices at the concession stands.

The best football game of the season. Unlike a lot of football games, the changes to this game aren’t just cosmetic. The result is the most realistic football game you can own.

It's so good, I find it humorous that ESPN uses Madden for its pre-game show.

The online mode that is included is nothing short of "sweetness."

The game introduces the two best new features found in football games since the Franchise mode, as Owner mode would be a fun game on its own, and Playmaker control is simply the most useful new gameplay tool introduced into the mix in many a year.

Simply THE pro-football title to buy this year, no matter what system you own. If you happen to have a choice, go with the PS2 version. It’s the only one with the awesome online play, and it controls like a dream with the Dual Shock controller configuration.

It may be management freaks like myself who derive the most from this year's Madden.

The Playmaker Control feature...gives you an unprecedented amount of control, so you actually feel like you're commanding the whole team, not just the QB.

Covers nearly every facet of professional football, but what makes this year's entry in the series so special is the fact that it ties all its components together seamlessly. Even the new gameplay features have been integrated incredibly well.

With airtight controls, improved defensive and offensive AI, more animations, a deep and rewarding franchise that allows you to actually own a team this season, John Madden football looks to big in a great position to continue their reign as the undisputed champs of video football.

Just about the only bad thing about Madden NFL 2004 is the bar that it sets. EA Sports has one hell of a challenge waiting in the wings, trying to improve on a masterful title like this.