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NHL 2004
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 8 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Black Box
Genre(s): Sports
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: September 22, 2003
Summary
It's more physical than ever before, with new Bruise Control, an all-new fighting system, more realistic player collisions, and powerful visuals such as popping helmets and breaking glass. Total Control on the Ice: Total player control allows you to direct 2-button touch sensitive passes anywhere on the ice, call team strategies on the fly, and aggressively tie up opponents against the boards and in front of the net. Go Deep Into Dynasty Mode: Take on the role of GM for up to 20 seasons, drafting and trading players, negotiating contracts, and managing the financial bottom line of your franchise. Earn valuable experience points to upgrade your GM office and/or purchase improvements to staff and facilities, thus improving your team's on ice performance. All-New Elite Leagues: 39 new international teams from Germany's DEL, Sweden's Elitserien, and Finland's SM-Liga. New EA SPORTS Bio: Unlock special rewards in NHL 2004 by playing multiple titles, including Madden NFL 2004, NBA Live 2004, and much more. [Electronic Arts]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: NHL 06 NHL 2003 NHL 2005
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: GameSpot Preview Official Website Producer Interview
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Play Magazine
Not to be outdone, EA Sports has upped the ante with NHL 2004 and it truly has left me speechless. What am I so excited about? One word - Dynasty Mode... For hockey fans, this is a no brainer. [Sept 2003, p.88]
Game Informer
Dense with managerial options and overflowing with new gameplay features, NHL 2004 is a complete turnaround from last season's disastrous release and is this year's must-have hockey title. [Oct 2003, p.131]
Cheat Code Central
NHL 2004 has gone the distance and has surpassed the 2003 version by leaps and bounds.
Yahoo! Games
This is almost certainly the best release in the history of the NHL series and one of the most authentic action-oriented sports games currently on the market.
Read Full Review >Gamer's Pulse
The controls are tight and deep, the Dynasty Mode is great, and the gameplay is realistic and fun.
Read Full Review >IGN
Mimics the real thing more than ever and therefore the joys of the sport are found in big hits, near misses and brilliant scoring opportunities that barely miss lighting the lamp. If you can get over the fact that scoring is going to be reserved only for those that deserve it.
Read Full Review >Nintendojo
An excellent hockey video game. It sets a precedent for game mode depth. In particular, its dynasty mode is sick and twisted in terms of its Madden-esque depth.
Read Full Review >Playboy
Expanded fight controls include grappling, punch selection and the ability to pull off the gloves whenever rink rage overcomes you. [Oct 2003, p.37]
Next Level Gaming
While the game moved from the arcade feel to more a realistic feel, the impressive graphics remain.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
In a few fundamental ways, the game actually does manage to beat out the opposition, though ultimately it falls a bit short of being the best overall package. It's still a really great hockey game in its own right, though.
Read Full Review >TotalGames.net
If you want the most comprehensive and thorough hockey game/management sim, then NHL 2004 is the place to turn.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
It's remarkable that EA has managed to catch up to the incredible effort from Sega in a single generation, and if it weren't for an overly trying physics engine on the ice, the two would be in a dead heat.
Read Full Review >GameCube Europe
EA puts more emphasis on realistic gameplay making the experience less approachable. Passing, for instance, needs to be executed pretty accurate otherwise you’ll lose the puck easily.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
Does a fantastic job for the hardcore hockey fan with endless hours of play in Dynasty mode, but it can’t quite match the competition when it comes to delivery and mechanics.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
If the GameCube is your only access to gaming bliss and you’re a hockey fan, then there really isn’t a better hockey game for you than NHL 2004. Just be prepared to groan when you have your friend trash talk you when they score a back handed one timer from the point.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
The basic game play and graphics are similar to those of the franchise's 2003 edition, but they were already top-notch. [Dec 2003, p.146]
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Too much force and not enough finesse - that's the problem with EA's puck offering. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for getting' physical, but not when it comes at the cost of disrupting the natural flow of hockey. [Oct 2003, p.138]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 8 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Uter gave it a 3:
I don't know quite how, but this series has been run into the ground with the last few entires. This ones another big disappointment. Note to EA: I don't want more pop fluff during the hockey game. I sometimes wonder what sort of people they hire to come up with their innovative ideas each year. Not actual hockey fans, that's for sure.
