Madden NFL 2004

"Defense wins games but Playmakers win Championships"

Or at least that's what they say. Time and time again, EA manages to get out a new football game every year with something new, this year; playmaker. Now I know there are a couple of newer versions out there with the updates roster and some better features, I still find the 2004 version to be the best yet.

Upon loading up the game (assuming this is the first 04 title you've played) a new screen dubbed “EA Sports Bio” will spring up. This feature stays on your memory card and tracks all achievements on EA Sports title from 2004 and on. A quick example, would be if you won the Super Bowl in Franchise mode, then switched over to say NBA Live 2004, you'd obtain bonuses within that game and if you play some Live and then come back to Madden, you'll get more bonuses! Now you may just call this a marketing plan to get you to buy all the games, you don't need to play the other games to get all the rewards. They just allow you to keep track of them. Quickly following that, you'll have your option to choose your favorite team which flashes some pictures of that team from the past year.

With that aside, there are a few new aspects to the game; mini-camp, create-a-playbook, and re-amped versions of Franchise mode allowing you to become the owner. Mini-camp is just what it sounds like, you go to mini-camp with the teams and try to improve your players (if in franchise mode) or obtain trophies to unlock the cheerleader cards. Creating a playbook is difficult at first, but you adapt to the way it's set up within time, still there isn't a way to create some truly great routes other than slants and hooks. Besides those new modes, you have your basic create-a-player and team to get your own fantasy franchise under way. You'll be able to customize just about anything from stats to appearance.

Eventually, you'll make your way over to Franchise mode. You have two options here, what will you choose? You can pick the easy route and do a normal franchise where you have unlimited money and can pick up anyone no matter what your cap limit is. For those that are unaware of the cap limit, if you are above the limit, that is how much you have to spend and below is how much you owe the players, or at least that's the general idea. Any ways, but for those looking for a challenge, select Owner's mode and you will become the owner of the team! Quickly select the team you want to own (and add more if you wanna have more people in this particular franchise) and start managing them! You will have to set prices of tickets, concessions, advertising and parking. Charge too much? Then you lose your fan base. Charge the perfect amount? Then you all win! Take control of the team from there and play the best players, move onto winning the Super Bowl!

Wait!

Am I forgetting the most important aspect of any football game?

Of course not!

The game itself, is simply amazing. With the only draw back is the sluggish movement on your players turning ability. With that out of the way, it's a great game. Upon snapping the ball, your receivers' icons light up and you must look for the open player, hold the button for a bullet pass or tap it for a lob.

Now hold the phone!

Do you remember how I said that Playmaker was the key to winning championships? Well here ya go. Instead of snapping the ball, read the defense. If you see the defense is going to blitz, send a receiver out on a deep route with a few button combinations known as “Hot Routes”. But the piece de resistance, you see a receiver wide open running straight to double coverage? Direct him with the joy stick and give him some room to run.

But I thought you said, “Playmakers win championship”. This is sounding like “Offense wins championships”.

Well now see here! On the defense, you can use playmaker as well! Read the quarterback and move the defender in the path of the ball and pick it off.

There's nothing really else to say here, it plays just like any football game in real life except for some stupidity in dropping the easiest interceptions and catches, trying to pick up a fumble and the way defenders tackle, if they are two yards behind the 1st down line and you come in front of them, don't pull them down to the line, PUSH them down back! Now forget all that, the worst thing they do is how easy it is to tackles some one, you'll see some these strong athletes dodge and break away from bad tackles with ease in the NFL. But in this game, you do get your fair share of break aways but you still get tackled for the simplest contact with another player.

Quite possibly the best looking franchise to date is the Madden Series, with only a few other classic series above and it this level of beautifulness. Each player has a realistic look to their real life counterpart. The fans, refs, fields, weather are all sculpted with exact precision and resemble great looking models. I've even had a couple, “Oh football, who's playing?” while I was playing the game, people do mistake it for real life.

As for the sounds aspect, the commentary gets really dull and repetitive after the first ten games. John Madden's voice is really just plain bad and is only saved by Al Michaels. EA was also kind enough to put in some good songs by Blink 182, Jet, and Yellow Card.

Yes, there are two newer copies out with some cool features and updated roster, and yes I have played them both. I still believe 2004 is the best one out. And the only place that'll still carry it are used game stores for dirt cheap. Try it out, you'll love it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/17/05