NHL 2004

 PlayStation 2
NHL 2004 Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

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  • 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 passesIt'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. Enhanced EA SPORTS Online: Compete in one-on-one or all-new on-line tournament games, and chat in-game with EA SPORTS Talk. 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]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. Play Magazine
    100
    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]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. PSX Nation
    90
    The truth is that simulation freaks who want their hockey tough and real could do no better. Arcade lovers should probably look elsewhere.
  3. TotalGames.net
    89
    It's true that NHL 2004 is a tougher game to get involved with compared to past versions of the franchise. But, with more leagues (including elite world clubs), more players and new enhanced moves, there is plenty here for fans to enjoy, if you have the stamina to master it all, that is.
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Next Level Gaming
    86
    While the game moved from the arcade feel to more a realistic feel, the impressive graphics remain.
  5. Game Revolution
    83
    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... Despite its small faults, NHL 2004 is still one hell of a hockey game.
  6. GamePro
    80
    Some of its ideas are brilliant innovations, some are wisely appropriated standards, and some just flop - but the overall result is fun, action-oriented, authentic hockey with a few troubling flaws.
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    73
    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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See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 38
  3. Negative: 9 out of 38
  1. SergeiM.
    Sep 22, 2003
    10
    THE BEST THERE IS!!!!!!!
  2. TravisC.
    Dec 5, 2003
    10
    This game was better than i could imagine.
  4. TylerS.
    Nov 24, 2003
    10
    It's the best game ever.
  5. MichelF.
    Nov 5, 2003
    9
    I love this game. Yes, there's a bit too many hits, but that's my only gripe. It's a better game than NHL 2002 or 2003 (these I love this game. Yes, there's a bit too many hits, but that's my only gripe. It's a better game than NHL 2002 or 2003 (these two sucked). I don't know why everybody is raving about ESPN, I tried it and I thought NHL 2004 was more realistic and better graphic wise. Yes, you read right, NHL is more realistic. I hated the way the players moved in ESPN, way too fast and it looked like they were floating on the ice, not skating. For my money, NHL 2004 is the best.… Expand
  6. JeanP.
    Apr 20, 2004
    8
    Drastic improvement over the prior years but could still be better. What there's too much of: Glass breaking, "bone-crushing hits," Drastic improvement over the prior years but could still be better. What there's too much of: Glass breaking, "bone-crushing hits," scoring, key players getting hurt during simulation, computer players getting caught 20 feet offsides, hooking. What I like: Dynasty Mode, (although a team will give you anyone for a draft pick), realistic skating, scoring on wrap arounds, computer play development. Overall it was good enough to consume my life for nearly 4 months.… Expand
  7. ZiggyStardust
    Sep 23, 2003
    7
    Dynasty Mode is a dream come true, a lot of customization, really great. Lots of teams, Leagues, cool. One major flaw: the gameplay is Dynasty Mode is a dream come true, a lot of customization, really great. Lots of teams, Leagues, cool. One major flaw: the gameplay is mediocre, really mediocre. The camera angles are weak, this ain't hockey, its roller-derby. With patience one could adjust all the sliders to make the game tolerable. Then again, the GM simulation part is pure genius! Gameplay bad. If what you are looking for is to play hockey against your friends, you might be disapointed. However, if what you dig is beeing a GM and running a franchise, your dream came true. I have NHL 2004 and ESPN Hockey on the PS2. ESPN has excellent gameplay and a weaker franchise mode compared to NHL 2004's Dynasty mode. But NHL 2004's gameplay and graphics aren't in the same league as Sega's.… Expand
  8. JohnC.
    Sep 22, 2003
    0
    Very sad... So FRUSTRATING.

See all 38 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best PS2 Game of 2003
41
#41 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003