Madden 2004

Developer: Electronic Arts
Publisher: EA Sports
ESRB Rated E (Everyone)

Game System: Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PC, PS2, Xbox

Players: 1 – 4
Except PS2: 1 – 2
Plus online multi-player features

NFL Fever 2004

Developer: Microsoft
Publisher: Microsoft
ESRB Rated E (Everyone)

Game System: Xbox exclusive

Players: 1 – 4
Except PS2: 1 – 2
Plus online multi-player features

What It Is

What would the fall be without football? Like summer and baseball, the two go hand-in-hand. Even though the weather may not be too fall-like yet and the last thing you want to do in this lingering humidity is put on a helmet, you can still head to the 50 yard line and huddle-up with one of these three new fall football games for your home gaming systems.

First on the field, in its 14th season, is the top-selling Madden NFL 2004. New features for this incredibly popular game include awesome playmaker control that lets gamers adjust on the fly just as NFL players do, and improved online play with the EA Sports Talk in-game chat (USB headset and broadband connection required) and online tournaments for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Game Boy Advance users also have their own unique features, including the ability to connect your Game Boy Advance to the Nintendo GameCube version to unlock hidden content and features. Madden 04 also presents a deeper Franchise Mode with the new Owner Mode option, which allows players to take over bottom line responsibilities such as hiring a full coaching staff or setting ticket and concession prices.

Now gamers can relive the old “Rah-rah!” days with NCAA Football 2004, which recreates the intense rivalries and spirit of college football. Players can choose from a list of classic teams like the 1924 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, or 2002 Ohio State, or rewrite history by replaying one of the greatest games of the last two decades. NCAA also features EA Sports Talk in-game chat and online tournaments.

Our third pigskin party game happens to be the third installment of Microsoft Game Studios’ Xbox exclusive, NFL Fever 2004. Fever is also the first game to utilize XSNsports.com, where players can create leagues, organize tournaments, track stats, communicate with other players and more over the Internet. In addition to the online component, Fever 2004 has revamped its predecessor’s artificial intelligence (AI) with significant offensive and defensive adjustments, new playbooks and stadium models plus animated NFL coaches roaming the sidelines offering analysis.


Why It’s Fun

Sports games remain some of the highest grossing and most anticipated games for all home gaming systems. Most sports-game fans are also fans of the sports themselves and what could be better than following up an intense game on Monday Night Football than a game in which they get to choose the players, make the plays and experience the excitement on the same TV they just watched their favorite teams play on?


Who’s Going To Love It

You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy a sports video game, but it sure helps. Chances are good if you know someone with a home gaming system who also loves football then they will love one of these games.


What To Be Aware Of

In order to use the online features of any game, you will first need a game and gaming system that are online-compatible, like PlayStation2 and Xbox, plus additional hardware, like a modem. You probably already have everything you need for the PC version but read the game’s box first. Many PC games require sophisticated video cards and recent operating systems (like Windows 98 and above). You will also need to subscribe to the game’s online service, which is usually an additional monthly fee.

You will need an additional cable to link your Game Boy Advance and GameCube game systems to each other.

Suggested Retail Price

Madden NFL 2004 - $49.99
NCAA Football 2004 - $49.95
NFL Fever 2004 - $49.99

Available At

Most major retail and toy stores as well as electronic gaming specialty shops and many online e-commerce sites.

Madden 2004

NCAA Football 2004

NFL Fever 2004