| 100 |
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]
|
| 90 |
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]
|
| 90 |
Cheat Code Central
NHL 2004 has gone the distance and has surpassed the 2003 version by leaps and bounds.
|
| 90 |
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.
|
| 88 |
Gamer's Pulse
The controls are tight and deep, the Dynasty Mode is great, and the gameplay is realistic and fun.
|
| 88 |
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.
|
| 88 |
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.
|
| 88 |
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]
|
| 86 |
Next Level Gaming
While the game moved from the arcade feel to more a realistic feel, the impressive graphics remain.
|
| 86 |
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.
|
| 85 |
TotalGames.net
If you want the most comprehensive and thorough hockey game/management sim, then NHL 2004 is the place to turn.
|
| 85 |
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.
|
| 84 |
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.
|
| 83 |
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.
|
| 80 |
GamePro
A nice middle ground between realism and action.
|
| 79 |
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.
|
| 76 |
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]
|
| 73 |
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]
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