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NCAA March Madness 2004
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 16 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 2 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Genre(s): Sports
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: November 17, 2003
Summary
Features Over 320 Schools: Dick Vitale and Brad Nessler preside over the passion and tradition of NCAA basketball competition with authentic fight songs, arenas, cheerleaders, and mascots. All-new game modes including Frat Party and Rivalry let you not only punish your most bitter rivals... but also take it to their mascots as well. Recruit elite high school players over 30 seasons in Dynasty Mode and take your team from the pre-season EA SPORTS Maui Invitational all the way to the Big Dance. Watch locker room videos detailing pre-game scouting reports and strategies from top coaches including Billy Donovan, Rick Majerus, and Gary Williams. Call offensive plays taken directly from each school's playbook, then shut down the opposition and cause turnovers with a full-court press or 2-3 zone. [EA Sports]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: NCAA March Madness 06 NCAA March Madness 2005
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: IGN Preview Official Website
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...
GamePro
By a fair margin, NCAA March Madness 2004 comes out on top in the showdown against "ESPN College Basketball."
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
Despite the inexcusable omission of Xbox Live support, this is the best college basketball game on the Xbox. [Dec 2003, p.94]
Team Xbox
An almost perfect blend of great control and deep gameplay that will meet any college hoop fan’s criteria.
Read Full Review >Operation Sports
The failure to include many of the star freshmen in the game is inexcusable. With players leaving college for the NBA earlier than ever, freshmen play a more important role in college basketball than ever before.
Read Full Review >GameZone
From the quick-step jumper to the slicing 3-point shooting, the game had a lot of replay value.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
The game's Achilles' heel is its lack of any online play. But if you're more about the single-player game than about smacking some faraway Kansas or Duke fan, it's hard to find much not to like.
Read Full Review >IGN
While I applaud March Madness' marked improvements, it still doesn't equal "ESPN College Hoops" in terms of depth, so the game comes in a close second this year on the PS2, and a little more distant on the Xbox due to EA not supporting Xbox Live.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
It doesn’t have the variety of modes as Sega’s "College Hoops," but when it comes to play, I give the nod to March Madness.
Read Full Review >GameNow
Superior to other college games and a lot of fun to play. [Jan 2004, p.63]
Next Level Gaming
The controls in NCAA March Madness 2004 are tight and very responsive.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
In terms of atmosphere, no other college basketball game captures the sights and sounds of a university arena quite like this. [Jan 2004, p.116]
Xbox Nation Magazine
A superb basketball game, with Grade-A action, intuitive controls, and more bells and whistles than an ice cream truck. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.85]
Read Full Review >GameSpot
While March Madness 2004 does a good job at capturing the feel of college basketball, a general lack of polish keeps it just a little short of greatness.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
As always, the dynasty mode is incredibly robust. [Dec 2003, p.98]
Game Revolution
More attention to the graphics and gameplay issues would secure its place as the preeminent college basketball game. Right now, though, it’s still on the bubble.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Death to Dick gave it a7:
Dick Vitale is the main reason this game isn't a ten. I had the volume at zero halfway through my first game. I also wish that you were informed if your recruits liked the pitch you gave them.
Steve gave it a 10:
This is a great game!! Can't put it down...it's got awesome graphics and intense gameplay.
