Madden NFL 2004 was a Masterpiece

The one with Michael Vick on the cover. I think it’s safe to say that this is the most iconic Madden game ever made. When you think back to the glory days of sports video games, when competition was everywhere, Mike Vick running around the defense has to be one of the first things your mind pictures. Playing Madden 04 brings you back to a time when Madden games were well received by players and critics alike.
Out of the Skies, Under the Earth by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: chriszabriskie.com/reappear/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/
#retrospective #SOFTDRINKTV #game #review #sdtv

[@stevennealsantos]

As someone who has never played this back then, this makes me extremely frustrated and disappointing that we don’t have a football game like this today. To me, this game sounds revolutionary and looks fun as hell.

[@mymom9741]

Reading what you wrote... I Felt That

[@mike91mdk45]

Indeed it is

[@nirvanabutnomoreideas6534]

Fortunately for you, emulating it on the PC is quick, easy, and free and itll run on most PCs. Use Vimm.net to get gamecube version of Madden 2004 and download Dolphin emulator. Everyone deserves to play this game

[@jrob1997]

It was the best of times I tell ya...

[@ryanfogel5395]

Trying to sack your friend playing as Vick was a nearly impossible feat. Everyone wanted to play as Vick. Such a fun game

[@osurocks24]

Maddens on the PS2 were classic!

[@osurocks24]

@Spit on it paw paw NCAA Football 03-11 were classics for me as well. Both series were phonemal.

[@Maal7432]

@Spit on it paw paw NCAA 2005 wasn’t better than Madden 2005. Exception.

[@showbizgwoponese8855]

On god bro

[@dadlyfe8070]

Agree today all they care about is graphics game play is more important in my opinion n with no competition ea got to comfortable back then n ea competed with nfl 2k nfl fever nfl gameday same goes for nba 2k it competed w live inside drive Courtside shootout

[@kman215]

It was part of the routine everyday after school

[@Icaruuuuusss]

“And the gameplay was fair” while he is running laps around the defense 😂😂

[@bradleyrorick9926]

I know right 🤣

[@wzrdmstr]

Is Mike Vick a joke to you?

[@michaelmeredith2285]

Coach mode my friend - that is the best way to play, and the mode that really was the best with this edition.

[@Icaruuuuusss]

@@michaelmeredith2285 in no way am i discrediting the greatness of 04 im just sayin for that specific point he couldve used some different gameplay instead of mike vick

[@ghettoguru9164]

Well it wasn’t perfect but neither is Modern madden

[@tleoipl37]

That soundtrack was the best madden soundtrack ever imo.

[@tleoipl37]

@Spit on it paw paw nah 03-10 were the best. At least they didn’t have crappy rap and actually had decent rock songs

[@YTCProductions]

Anything from 03-11 was a banger

[@osurocks24]

2004 outside out of two songs for me was not that good. That for me was the weakest point of the game.

[@tleoipl37]

@@osurocks24 really? That’s a first one for me🤔🤔

[@tleoipl37]

@Spit on it paw paw 07-10 had the best of the rock songs. I miss that stuff man

[@txbased1659]

This game is so legendary, this was the madden that put madden past being very good into being great. One of the greatest video games ever imo

[@slick_grimes7121]

I think Madden 2005 is better but this was definitely a great game

[@Calico997]

@@slick_grimes7121 madden 08 and 05 the best ones

[@slick_grimes7121]

@@Calico997 sucks that I didn’t experience 08 on the PS2 but man me and my friends sure played the hell out of 08 on PS3 and 360. That was our lives literally other than school, lol

[@GisherJohn24]

it's shocking how well it still plays, still plays better than 2021. The AI is still better too.

[@1D4ever]

@@GisherJohn24yes much better

[@baumer2504]

Wow, seeing John Madden breakdown an offensive line scheme that actually worked blew my mind. Try Again Clint.

[@Avvura]

I loved games around 04-05 Nascar Thunder, Revenge of the Sith, NFL and MLB 2k5, Madden 04...good times

[@osurocks24]

Those were EA's two best years for games ever.

[@danield8528]

@Spit on it paw paw I love Madden 05 and 07 Along with FIFA 07 and NCCA Football 07 and those are never going anywhere I love them

[@Avvura]

@@danield8528 same I kind of skipped over 05 and 06 and loved NCAA and Madden 07

[@dennisbowen452]

you mean battlefront 1 and 2. revenge of the sith was mediocre

[@Avvura]

@@dennisbowen452 those too yeah But hey I liked RotS okay xD

[@Royal10123]

John Madden actually taught you tactics and Schemes. Something kids wouldn’t know but could learn from. This was great.

[@Infurno924]

Man, do I miss the old Madden soundtracks. They actually had variety in the songs and artists back then rather than sticking with the most popular genre. Very refreshing to see a soundtrack like that. Would love to have that back!

[@articejones3626]

facts madden use to have me singing heavy metal punk rock and everything in between because the play list were so diverse no the soundtracks are TRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH

[@goddammitnappa1617]

Screw just being the most overpowered cover athletes, 04 Micheal Vick is one of the most overpowered characters in video game history. Right up there with SSB brawl meta knight and the pre-nerf double akimbos in cod mw2. To this day, he is still banned from my house and you're not allowed to use the Falcons unless you use the backup qb.

[@jeremythelakerfan629]

Pre nerf akimbo in mw2 that’s good haha

[@IcyTorments]

Dont forget the pre-nerf b23r from bo2 you legit map people with them at a consistent 1-2 burst rate

[@JDOGFTW]

The double akimbos I Remember that.

[@enriquecontreras5955]

And Matt wuhu from wii sports

[@goddammitnappa1617]

@@enriquecontreras5955 I said overpowered, not God

[@haha3196]

I miss when madden was actually good

[@zayyy6]

😞

[@rolltideroll8458]

Same 😞

[@jaheimmoultrie7584]

@@rolltideroll8458 I feel you

[@purwantiallan5089]

@@jaheimmoultrie7584 hi Jaheim.

[@jaheimmoultrie7584]

@@purwantiallan5089 what's up purwanti

[@rwalker0130]

You forgot my favorite feature:uploading NCAA rosters to the draft! My friends and I used to buy a CFB magazine and spent hours naming the college rosters before simulating the seasons. It really added to dynasty mode to import and draft college stars into the league for the first few years.

[@LenGott8345]

This was the best thing about the two games back then, the rather understated and underappreciated thing which made Dynasty/Franchise so great. The ability to bring rookie classes from NCAA over to Madden. Cause those drafts were all around better and deeper than the average Madden draft by a LOT.

[@OldGenGamer]

Hell of a video, thanks for using my gameplay, Madden 04 lives on!!!!

[@maxwelljacobfreedom]

So many memories when that Madden 101 audio came in

[@dustman820]

This was the first football game I bought for then current-gen consoles. I only had a PS2 at the time and I hit the jackpot. Not the most realistic, but one of the most fun games. Vick is the only video sports character that could be close to Bo Jackson from Tecmo Super Bowl for most OP player of all-time, although Bo is still my pick for most OP. I would spend so many hours creating players, teams, and stadiums, and doing fantasy drafts before doing franchise mode. I loved owner mode. Being able to raise or lower prices on anything. Like he said, a football video game from 2003 has more stuff than today is unbelievable. The people that make Madden today need to be ashamed.

[@LunaticFringeReviews]

Using Michael Vick felt like cheating 😂

[@NCYungin]

It was 🤣🤣🤣

[@ItsPGWavy]

It was

[@kascnef]

@@ItsPGWavy he even got hurt just like real life

[@viralsports4258]

Not really. You had to know how to scheme in order to stop him.

[@CronoXpono]

@@viralsports4258 Yeah, I loved when people picked Vick. As a Bucs fan, I wasn't sweating it XD

[@MrEOM41]

Maddens from this era were so in depth 🔥🏈

[@krisgersch8480]

Yeesssss Madden 04, my favorite of all time

[@simiwade7773]

Like fr

[@Maal7432]

Same.

[@speedyeagle2.25]

All I can say is the game is so legendary that I have no words to say except Michael Vick greatest cheat code ever

[@icanttrustasoul.]

*just bought this game brand new for 3$. what a blast man, super fun*

[@TheHuskyK9]

The dudes saying “they just mad they can’t change hotdog prices” are just proving that they’ve missed the point completely and ending up burning themselves lol

[@torlingboysshinny]

90% of comments: Talking about how much of a cheat code Vick is. 10% of comments: crapping on EA because they only care about profits.

[@mullaneymike79]

I’m 44 and hearing madden explain plays is literally music to my ears…thank you bro

[@Acefull-pl1iu]

"and holds up well today" as tiki barber comes from out of bounds to catch a td 😂 I love this game tho

[@IQQIification]

Damn the memories. I remember the day my friend bought this game from Toys R’ Us. As soon as he put on the game the blackout in NYC happened. I remember when finding out it was a blackout, we both said “damn wish this happened when we were at toys r us”… Amazing times with this game…

[@sdot23bk41]

I was in the middle of a franchise game when the blackout happened… I was pissed but that was a fun blackout… people were in the streets all night out in LES. I think I got Madden at Electronic Boutique in the East Village by NYU, was my go to store.

[@emptyhand777]

Oh the memories. You could import your created team into franchise mode. This was good if you didn't want other teams relocating. I imported my cupcake team and replaced Washington. My first draft I selected a QB out of Stephen F. Austin. He ended up with 98 speed. Needless to say, I won multiple Super Bowls with Cortez Williams under center.

[@The_Husband_of_Jane_Lane]

The first Madden game that you can add your own custom soundtracks in the menus in the Xbox version. Madden 2004 was a really good Madden game I enjoyed on the original Xbox.

[@NellyGotBored]

Speaking of iconic, Softdrinktv video intro is iconic

[@vetoland92]

I would play the mini camp mode for hours on end, listening to arguably the best video game soundtrack of all time. The good ol days.

[@seinfan9]

If I had to guess, I spent several thousand hours collectively with Madden 2004, Madden 2005, and NFL 2K1-2K5. Sprinkle in some Blitzes and NFL Fever, it was the golden age of football video games.

[@JWUniverse]

My Favorite Madden of All Time! And one my Uncle and I play all the time! RIP Uncle Love You! PS2 was the Version I owned!

[@MikeJr9284]

This was the first Madden game I played. I remember playing this on my dad’s PS2 growing up.

[@5tuartGuy]

Madden 2004 was my first Madden, being from the UK Madden wasn't easily available like today but I saw a review about it on a video games show, decided to buy it & became a fan of the NFL instantly

[@cardboard87]

In every circle I knew, you weren't allowed to use the Falcons at all when competing against another person. I learned so much about football as a sport playing Madden 2001-2005. Madden 2004 is legend, but I fondly remember the hype around Madden 2005 too because it was the year they added the hit stick. What the hell happened to this franchise??? I had to stop playing after Madden 2008.

[@petrified0035]

I can’t wait to be entertained, keep uploading bangers @SOFTDRINKTV

[@tannerbarnes7072]

I was a Madden 06 on ps2 guy. Superstar mode was so deep and the gameplay was so smooth!

[@Phil_Goodman]

This is a game i wish they would remake/re-mastered/HD/definitive

[@thomastripp9002]

One of the greatest Maddens ever!!! Loved playing this on PS2 and the OG XBOX. I plan on picking it up again for the PS2 one day very soon. Great soundtrack, gameplay and very fun! I always think of this game when listening to "Round the Globe" by Nappy Roots and "Akshon!" by Killer Mike.

[@buckheadz8]

My favorite thing is that the quarterbacks can actually run in the backfield

[@TheDondajonhon46]

"Sometimes life can keep you down With your face all in the dirt But if you feel that left behind You can get up and go to church hmmm mmm hmmm mmm"

[@Wergoheb]

I'll NEVER forget Vick Playing against as Linebacker Vicks online. I feel like I wrote a review about this for my high school newspaper.

[@xyphor317]

I was 15 when this came out, and this game sparked a curiosity for football for me that I didn’t have before. For that Christmas I asked for a Michael Vick signed helmet and somehow got it. This was became my favorite Madden.

[@geauxbreezy]

Franchise mode was so great in Madden 04. Great video!

[@ItsHunterYall]

This punched me right in the childhood

[@KeanBurke]

Just played Madden 2004 yesterday. Will like and comment on every video you post going forward. Your channel deserves all the support

[@acedeuce92]

Madden at its peak, best gameplay, best soundtrack, owner mode. Best Madden in the series

[@angelmanny7027]

Im literally smiling 😁 from ear to ear watching this masterpiece of a football game, thank you SoftDrinkTV this is some of your best work

[@TheNewChevyRoll48]

I wonder if it would just be me, but does it seem like Madden's soundtrack ever since Madden 18 has been homogenous in terms of songs. Like they're all pump up rap songs.

[@ghjong001]

I always went to the sound settings and used the NFL Films music.

[@smexyrexy1509]

@@ghjong001 same

[@KaiVellichor]

And not very good ones at that

[@rolltideroll8458]

@@ghjong001 same

[@DaDualityofMan]

Madden 12 was the last good Madden game, and it had the last good soundtrack

[@ruuda4176]

Madden 08 on the 360 was my favorite. felt so different i enjoyed it so much.

[@TheNumbasign2]

I play this game almost daily. I’ve actually ended this game. Took 7 years.

[@NBWDOUGHBOY]

These Retrospectives are Legendary! Thank you for doing them.

[@sedricgranger]

Lots of good memories on my PS2 with this game! My Columbus Hawks were an insane team with my dope custom stadium! The customization was awesome

[@co81385]

Yes! I am so happy that you made this video! Madden 2004 is my favorite Madden game, and it also has my favorite cover (I just like the picture of Vick that they used, and I love how it also shows off the then-new Falcons uniforms). I agree that Madden 2004 is the most iconic Madden game, and is the game that really broke through into pop culture. Nearly everyone that I knew had a copy of this game when it came out. I have such happy memories of this game. It was just a lot of fun to play! Also, it came out during the summer between my senior year of high school and freshman year of college, which can be a fun and memorable time in a lot of people's lives. I also think that how overpowered Vick was adds to this game's legacy: maybe he was overpowered, but at least he was FUN to play with! Also: I absolutely LOVED the mini camp and two minute drill mode! I would always use the two minute drill mode to try out new teams, plays, and offenses. I also loved the running back, linebacker, and defensive back drills in mini camp. I felt that they did a great job of teaching you how the controls work, and getting you comfortable with moving the players around. I prefer the mini camp mode strongly over the "skills trainer" mode that was later introduced, and whatever the mode is called in the current Maddens.

[@AlanThompsonRegularNintendo]

Great video man! Loved this year franchise! This was the only year I competed in a madden competition. It was in New Orleans, and I got knocked out in the first round, but I had a great time! My favorite feature was being able to control my blockers with the L stick!

[@FuriousMan226]

I am so glad I own Madden NFL 2004. I had so much fun in that game. I still play it.

[@BlackFlagsMatter]

Never been this early

[@ProWrestlingFan1995]

One of my favorite Maddens.

[@outintheadirondacks]

This is a great video recapping a great game. I remember my 3 roommates and I each created two teams for an 8 team league and played an entire season against each other using just those custom teams. Great times!

[@lance_alonzo]

Mike Vick was a cheat code unstoppable

[@gamertrom6492]

Madden 2004 l is my favorite madden all time so many memories as a kid playing this game with my brother that I’ll never forget and I will remember forever

[@nirvanabutnomoreideas6534]

My favorite Madden as a kid, I played this for hours and the soundtrack is lodged in my memories forever

[@maxwelljacobfreedom]

Ahhh the good ol' days!! When competition led to Madden actually working on their product every year 😕

[@phillyscorpio3804]

SoftDrink ... when You played Madden breaking down "Football 101"... I almost lost it! Let's Go! I'm actually in my 4th season with Madden 08 ... I don't play current Madden anyone! Great Video as always!

[@jameson95x]

Man this was memories, this the first football/ sports game on played on Pc when I was about 10, got me hooked on sports in general, hooked on Football pc games which would later manifest to nba being my favorite, no madden game really lived up to this 04 exp, and even nfl football I started watching soon after couldn’t match the madden 04. Crazy this game is the genesis of me being a sports fan

[@lttv3612]

Bruuhhh the first madden I ever played and freakin loved the way the voice said madden NFL 2004. Also Michael Vick was my absolute favorite QB for years and I still haven’t played a football game that had a QB that could run as well as MV in 04

[@josephcampsey7584]

The nostalgia the nostalgia the nostalgia so many hours played on this game and frankly I would love to see what they could do with today’s graphics. Every time I got on it was a new adventure

[@sppsports2449]

For me, this was my favorite Madden. Alongside 2003 & 2005. All great games, but I can distinctly remember staying up till 3 AM playing Madden 04 when I was a child.

[@YoDzOnHalo]

I played the hell out of madden 04. Normally into shooters but that game got me

[@xavierxero6644]

The nostalgia is real I had madden 03 on the PS2 and this makes me miss it even more since they were very similar.

[@rongriffin812]

How realistic it looks has taken over more than gameplay it todays madden. The maddens from 02-08 gave you a look behind the game it made players want to play more it kept you away from war and shooting games now they have taken over so now you see where the attention of the kids which sucks greed and mind control takes away everything that was fun and pure about being a kid and having nostalgia

[@lilliejamie2906]

Still one of the best maddens! The soundtrack The gameplay The training camp as you listen to blink 182. It's sad that this game is the best madden 04. But it makes sense as big game developers sell out and only care for money. This game made me love the NFL today.

[@omoowobhd]

Great review my man, this along with Madden 2006 & 2008 are my faves on the PS2 console! I have the PS3 now that allows me to play PS1,2 & 3 games on it.

[@CDD005]

Got an original phat ps3 also. Play mainly ps2 games on it though. 😄

[@D00MTR33]

So much time spent with my friends getting high, playing couch coop in Madden 04 and NBA Street 2. I'm always torn between it an 08 for my favorite Maddens.

[@JSeriously]

The best part about these older games that I remember vividly, aren’t just franchise. Or superstar. Or whatever. It’s those little mini games that I spent the most time on. Just because it was fun. I would start the rushing challenge mini game and then by time I realize it, 4 hours have passed. It was always just so much fun.

[@ChosekLazzaria]

I remember being overwhelmed with everything in franchise mode. But i appreciate it for its real deep interactivity. It gave more to do for the players that already understood the sport and wanted more to do.

[@sliightdriizzle6011]

This was the first madden I ever played. Besides Madden ‘06 (because I was little older and more capable of understanding) it is my favorite. So hard not to miss the immense freedom you felt both on and off the field in this game.

[@velvetarcade6017]

I used to love the madden 101 mode. I remember when he would demonstrate the play, when it ended well (most of the time it would) he would say something like “See? Now that’s how you do it.” But whenever the play failed, he would just be dead silent 😂😂 good times man

[@heatherblanton2457]

As a 13 year old, my first madden was madden17 on ps3 so obviously I didn’t get the classic maddens. But my dad did get me a ps2 and madden07 for my birthday the other day. Love you videos.

[@Hamsandwhich1026]

My man keeps hitting with the bangers.

[@chasemascio9911]

These videos are so beautifly done. Keep it up.

[@ryanadonis]

I dont think Michael Vick himself will ever truly understand how special those years were. Madden was still alive, the game revolutionized for his play style. The cover is the most epic cover of all time.

[@AkiraleTorimaki]

SoftDrinkTV, I’ve been watching your videos for quite a bit and you’ve made me want an old NFL video game...I went with this Madden NFL 2004 because #1: I had NHL 2004 and figured why not, and #2: I was inspired by you to play a classic Madden game (though I wanted to get ESPN NFL 2K5).

[@dennisbowen452]

God my first madden I played. I was disappointed Eli manning wasn't in the game but gosh what an introduction to madden this one was

[@darnell16player]

I still have my copy for ps2! Going through the memories along with 2K and ncaa games just hit the spot!

[@patrickliberatoreofficial215]

If Mike Vick was on the Eagles that year during the super bowl run, they would have been dominate!

[@Dman4901]

Madden 04 Vick tested how true friendships were back in the day lol

[@LukeR.5117]

I enjoyed so many of these features and modes for years. Many modern Madden players are getting shafted with the barren product we have today.

[@Euphoric-tracks]

This guys videos come in clutch

[@yamiymikxxo2794]

Madden 04 Most iconic Madden 08 The best ever (PS2)

[@Benzino021K]

The most iconic Madden of all-time...I agree, first madden to introduce owner mode & mini-camp into franchise mode, you could edit historic teams, I just like the overall feel of the game, the soundtrack, al michaels, john madden...man this definitely brings back great memories, I remember my bro bringing it home, I was 7 at the time, but man was I excited...I wish madden was deep today as it was years ago...get some new staff at ea that care about the product and money...I've told already about the historic teams I have on my channel..I've put up some new gameplay lately...eventually I'll add some commentary...check out some more when you get the chance! Love your channel, your in-depth analysis, I have definitely learn some things, keep it up!

[@apless13]

The depth to this game is incredible. So many awesome features that make it timeless and worth revisiting. Unlike anything that has released now a days

[@kyndread71]

LOVED this version of Madden. Create-A-Play, plus the ability to create your own expansion franchise, you really felt like you were a part of the game.

[@thepatrickjr5524]

The pc version, which I played a ton back then, also had a hall of fame in franchise mode, so when greats like Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith retired, their stats remained the entirety of your franchise mode.

[@theoppositeofmicrosoftoffi2715]

The 1 dislike is from Clint Oldenburg

[@jasonpdsi]

I have to say - the music for this video is amazing. I found this song on youtube and listen to it constantly.

[@jasonpdsi]

The opening song, that is.

[@frederickdavis2320]

One of my favorite Maddens

[@nosweatnoglory1891]

I have some great memories, but one who stood out the most wasn't even when i was playing. Most off my youth i lived with my grandparents [mom and dad where divorced] and with a new formed family i rather choosed to live with my grandparents cause it was closer to school and my football [soccer] team. So occasionally i was going back to my mom's house. One day i picked Madden from a local gamestop, tucked it under my shirt and was heading back to my grandparents home, until i came to a traffic light and it popped under my shirt and i dropped into the ground, a young dude on a motorcycle with his girl on the back picked it up and said. "Das een tof spelleke he" [That's a great game]. Most of the times i have a big hole in my memory but such things i still remember. 😅

[@madisonsykes4896]

Great work as always

[@booboo4ever24]

I'll never forget walking to the store to buy this game. I spent so much time inside the house playing this. Also Smackdown Shut Your Mouth, and NBA Live 03, some of the best times

[@BTJMUSIC]

Glad I still have My Madden 04, 05 and NFL 2k5 PS2 footballs hit different 🔥