User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 53
  2. Negative: 10 out of 53
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  1. EthanM.
    Dec 8, 2003
    10
    Best sports game ever.
  2. Sean
    Jul 10, 2003
    10
    Each year this game continues to get better except with 2002 though. This year is no different with new Owner Mode and now you can change things like blocking downfield and receiver routes to help you like in an actual game. NFL2K series will never get this realistic.
  3. Greg
    Jul 20, 2003
    10
    how more real can you get beside them coming in ur house??
  4. TraciS.
    Aug 12, 2003
    10
    This Game ROCKS!!!! I bought this for my Husband CS and his friend RJ, and it is like watching REAL FOOTBALL, but they are controlling the game play. Go get this game!!!!
  5. Garrett
    Aug 4, 2003
    10
    Madden 2004 is going rock i cant wait to play the owner mode i hoe it is multiplayer.
  6. CraigW.
    Apr 28, 2004
    10
    A great football game......10X's better than NFL Fever or ESPN Football....it has an amazing franchise mode including training camp and great states and news.
  7. MatthewH.
    Jul 24, 2004
    10
    THIS GAME ROCKS!!!!
  8. NeilV.
    Oct 16, 2003
    10
    Sweet game! I'm more of an NFL2K person, though I haven't tried 2K4 yet, but this is my first Madden since 1998 and it hasn't disappointed.
  9. WadeH.
    Oct 23, 2003
    10
    For anyone to say that these graphics suck, that this game is the same as the last.... I think they seriously need checked into a mental hospital... no one in their right mind would turn this game down, granted... ESPN NFL 2k4 is better in SOME areas, but over all.. Madden 2004 is the best avaliable football game on the market....
  10. NasS.
    Jun 27, 2003
    10
    Best game ever made by man.
  11. JoeyJoJoShabadoo
    Jul 13, 2003
    10
    Holy Shizzle! This gizzle is off the hizzle!
  12. TimA.
    Jul 30, 2003
    10
    I think this game is goin to be greater than all of the football games out this year that is why i bought i VIKINGS RULE !!!!!!
  13. GaryL.
    Aug 10, 2003
    10
    I can't see how anyone can even compare Madden 2004 with NFL Fever or ESPN. This game is in a league of its own. OWNER mode sounds awesome. Set your ticket prices, food prices, merchandise, and Ive heard you can have fan appreciation days and give away free merchandise like team photos etc. Off-season mini-camps where you can actually improve your players ratings is also a great I can't see how anyone can even compare Madden 2004 with NFL Fever or ESPN. This game is in a league of its own. OWNER mode sounds awesome. Set your ticket prices, food prices, merchandise, and Ive heard you can have fan appreciation days and give away free merchandise like team photos etc. Off-season mini-camps where you can actually improve your players ratings is also a great improvement. Relocating your team and building a stadium from scratch that you can renovate at any time. This game is a 10+, it goes off the scale. Expand
  14. JonG.
    Jan 15, 2004
    10
    There's absolutely no way you can buy another game. Madden is it. It is the only game to stand the test of time. It is the only game that lets you control things on and off the feild. Simply put, It's the only football game there is.
  15. MatthewG.
    Mar 4, 2004
    10
    I wish there were a halftime show and areal record book, with all the record holders. But this game overall is a very good game.
  16. HenryS.
    Apr 29, 2004
    10
    This game is AWESOME... the graphics are the man (as my friend would say) and the franchise mode is incredible... my favorite feature is the owner mode... this game totally crunches espn football cause that game sux..pce out home slice.
  17. AndreB.
    May 14, 2004
    10
    This is the best football game ever.
  18. MaddenRules
    Nov 7, 2003
    10
    Madden 2004 is the best football game i have ever played the graphics are awsome they make me think i am part of the game. I can't wait for madden 2005 comes out!
  19. NickM.
    Jul 29, 2003
    10
    This game should be awsome. Especially with the new owner mode and the new animations are great. I have got to experience them on the Ncaa game and i cant wait until Agust 14th.
  20. JonB.
    Aug 11, 2003
    10
    Holy **** this game kills I just tested it. I mean damn, Barry Sanders is the Man, Go Viks.
  21. J.Pholly
    Aug 12, 2003
    10
    What can i say, this is bar none the best football game ever. I have been playing for 2 days and i can't put it down. It has more of everything you love about Madden.
  22. ChristopherL.
    Aug 25, 2003
    10
    Awesome Game. I really like the Playmaker.
  23. Sep 16, 2022
    10
    I played/Owned Madden from 1992-2013
    and 2003-2008 is THE GOLDEN ERA!
    And i played every year in GoldenEra on PS2 *EXCEPT 2004!! Because this was when i got an Xbox and My God was it better looking then PS2. Not even close.. But PS2 still got my money because of the controller & my comfort with it.. But once they fixed the OG xbox controller and we got LB+RB bumpers instead of Black
    I played/Owned Madden from 1992-2013
    and 2003-2008 is THE GOLDEN ERA!
    And i played every year in GoldenEra on PS2
    *EXCEPT 2004!!
    Because this was when i got an Xbox and My God was it better looking then
    PS2. Not even close.. But PS2 still got my money because of the controller & my comfort with it..
    But once they fixed the OG xbox controller and we got LB+RB bumpers instead of Black & white buttons= Xbox became the king.. But i didn't know this until 2018'ish..
    ***ENTER TH3 EMATRIX= MADDEN & NHL FANS= KNOW THIS AWESOME SECRET
    = Original Xbox has a powerful music tool that allows you to add ANY music into the actual Madden folder.. I watched my brother do this was a later Madden. Maybe 06(i forget)
    ***NOT JUST ADDING UR PERSONAL MUSIC but putting it into the game so it plays the way the other music plays.. Right now on XboxSX ~OR~PS4 we can play music at same time as Madden music but this isn't the feature im speaking of,... It adds it into the game so it plays during franchise menu & in-game stadium.....
    *So what i would do is= compile 90% of the music from Madden 2003-2012 and put those songs on there ;D but i tried it once & was too lazy to drag & drop the music into it etc....
    LONG LIVE THE KING= IAN CUMMINGS!!!!
    Expand
  24. Paul
    May 14, 2004
    9
    A very fun game that is quite addictive.
  25. BrandonnY.
    Aug 20, 2003
    9
    Madden 2003 game play was way better than 2004 but 2004 gives more control in franchise mode which gives 2004 the edge over all the other games out there. Go RAIDERS
  26. Matt
    Aug 4, 2003
    9
    Madden 2004 is gunna b tha best football game this year w/ all new francise mode and every thing and u can get your players better w/ traning camp. and by tha way BEARS RULE!!!!!!
  27. MatC.
    Aug 17, 2003
    9
    No *&#$)@ xbox live, and no 10's till it's there.
  28. JustinW.
    Feb 21, 2005
    9
    It's a good game, but the graphics is lagging behind the rest.
  29. VictorP.
    Dec 9, 2003
    9
    This is by far the best football game ever made. It is like the years before it but with new features such as owner mode and playmaker control. The only reason this game did not receive a 10 is because it has no XBOX LIVE.
  30. BillT
    Aug 11, 2003
    9
    While Madden will always be top dog with me I have to say there is never perfection and always room for improvement. I have loved all the Madden games though, so even when Nfl 2k-billion comes out madden billion will be better.

Awards & Rankings

4
8
#8 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Xbox Nation Magazine
    90
    Aurally and visually stunning, Madden 2004 is easily the best re-creation of digital football ever made. [Oct/Nov 2003, p.94]
  2. Playboy
    100
    Looking for more depth? Take the owner's seat and relocate your team, set concession stand prices in your new stadium and hire your coaching staff. Ditka: Send us your resume. [Sept 2003, p.33]
  3. 95
    Nearly every facet of the game is flawless, truly capturing the feel of running and playing in the NFL.