NHL 2004: The Best EA NHL Hockey Game? Better Than NHL 23?

[@TheRealKRon92]

So I plan to make more NHL game reviews, but I want you guys to let me know what game to play. Check out all the games I have in my update video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2fPZIOfrKp-pas

[@sanmarinojr]

Do you actually playh the rebuilt or what?

[@purwantiallan5089]

For a now 21 year old game like NHL 2004 and NASCAR THUNDER 2004, both games are LEGENDARY.

[@MJFSniper81]

This is the best NHL game ever. Everything you mentioned is spot on. The commentary is also great because it feels realistic and we can't forget they had the real-life coaches.

[@TheRealKRon92]

MJFSniper81 Thank you so much my man! I’m planning to do more (and better) reviews of older NHL games, check out my recent update video to see all the games I have!

[@MJFSniper81]

@@TheRealKRon92 Sick! I'll check it out.

[@Rosterized]

2005 is pretty good too basically same as 2004 but they improved the way you can deke the puck, not just left to right. But my heart and childhood memories will always belong to 2004. I look at the newest NHL games and honestly they are so disappointing, even looks wise from the gameplay I think I would pick 2004 LOL

[@wesleyamancio3686]

​@@Rosterized nhl 04 with nhl 09 animations/gameplay >>>>>>

[@rodzor]

NHL 94..

[@dogcakewog]

Older sports video games were way more fun. They weren't taken so seriously.

[@xingce1583]

Beer Leagues mentality 100% but no offense to the Elite Leagues, just way more fun than nowadays games.

[@triples3768]

The vibe of video gaming has become too much about money. Arcade-style of gameplay will never go out of style if you ask me. This game was the perfect blend of realism/arcade-style. It’s why people still go back to it to this day.

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@triples3768even F1 22 to 24 are also way too arcadey. The same also goes to EA SPORTS FIFA 20 to FC 24. Only focused on money whilst keeping the gameplay as bad as possible.

[@mrbungle3310]

but they were developed seriously,unlike today

[@Abrahamkaasjwz]

Yeah NHL 2002 even is so cool in 2024

[@scotty3034]

I literally wore out my PS2 with this game. I think there was a stretch where I didn’t play any other games for months. Who remembers goalie fights? Loved making my own teams.

[@colingram8785]

did exactly the same. I didn't play anything else I think for pretty much the entire 2005 year, in my PS2 in the UK

[@stevied9517]

Same here! Played NHL 06 on PS2, Moved the Anahiem Ducks to my hometown of Houston, rebranded them as the Wranglers, kicked butt all through the regular season and defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@stevied9517Anaheim Ducks in NHL 2004 to 06 are OP.

[@kalkella8822]

The goalie fights in this game were nuts.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Is it possible to do goalkeeper fights in NHL 14?

[@Jacksonhutchins69]

@@purwantiallan5089I think

[@milo20060]

The best music. This was the first NHL I ever had. Fucking blast.

[@purwantiallan5089]

NHL 06 also great as it even had NHL 94 on NHL 06 RETRO MODE.

[@breezydangles]

Was debating buying this to make content, thanks for the review! 🙂

[@bricksquaddc6880]

I just ordered this game off eBay can’t wait to play it this weekend.

[@ChaosDevin]

NHL 2004 is my go to hockey video game. I still play it to this very day!

[@vremennonado]

It's the best hockey SIMULATOR of all times, it's not just a video game about hockey. It was a breaktroug. It was the first (and only) game in the series, where we could play hockey, but not an arcade video game based on hockey. It was actually my last game in the series, I just couldn't play in 2005 and the following games because they all were garbage compared to NHL 2004... It's sad to realize that NHL series is not for hockey fans, but for arcade games lovers who like to score tons of goals and make a big hit everytime they push a button.

[@KrisVic91]

You use custom sliders?

[@phillyphilhouse79]

Same. I tried to play a few games over the years but got disinterested. NHL 2004 was the last best game for the EA NHL series. Plus I remember dismembering opposing players with bone crushing hits. Most of that isn’t allowed in todays NHL. Boring ass shit.

[@Enranrj]

How Calgary didn't equalise in the last ten seconds is beyond me, I've never been so stressed watching a game that features neither of my teams. On a serious note, this video was a great reminder of why it's my favourite NHL game of all time. As a 14 year old I didn't really appreciate some of the features of Dynasty Mode, so it was interesting to revisit that. The graphics still look pretty good but the gameplay was so ahead of its time and far less clunky than a lot of modern sports games I've played. I remember how much I hated playing against the Avalanche on this game when they had Rob Blake, Adam Foote and Peter Forsberg on the rink at the same time and would run over all your team. Thanks for the nostalgia Kron!

[@TampaTec]

Back then EA had to compete with NHL 2k series which made EA 1up the competition. Now EA has no competition.

[@babyface76]

Hockey: Nhl 04 Football: Madden 04 Baseball: MVP Baseball 05 These were the best sports games of the PS2/Xbox era. Every version of these titles before and after was either lacking or had regressed.

[@Cicadog14]

MVP 05 was insanely good.

[@justinwise6781]

NCAA football 06 was great also.

[@sportsgamer2342]

You’re forgetting nba live 2005, gotta count the big one

[@johnnyroberts3761]

ESPN NFL 2K5 is the best NFL game ever. Madden 04 and 05 were great, but 2K5 was way ahead of its time.

[@colingram8785]

I adored this game. I used to play as the "Baltimore Bandits" with the face covered by the bandana look; we wore white and gold Home jerseys and black and purple away (I think?!). I created an entire roster of made up names like Michael Cash as my dynamic fast centre etc......it was wicked good fun!

[@sinisterone4673]

Awesome! Sounds like great memories and a lot of fun :)

[@purwantiallan5089]

I remembered a lot about this song from NHL 2004. It was also in MX UNLEASHED! NHL 2004, even in 2024, still is a MASTERPIECE alongside NHL 14, 1994 to 1998 and 10!

[@TSNAnnotator]

This one and NHL 2K5 are my personal favourites, but I have way more memories with NHL 2004

[@brettrossi034]

Madden 2004, NHL 2004, NFL Street 1+2, NBA street. All those old school EA games were the pinnacle for me!

[@sportsgamer2342]

NBA live 2004 was elite

[@fightingwarrior5893]

I remember playing this game every day for hours absolute best Nhl game to this day!

[@Retro_Gamer_89]

You can emulate it on Xbox Series X/S 😎

[@super8bitvideos]

One of the few sports games that actually maintains any money value. After Heatley's car accident, they made Sakic the cover athelete, but the game had already shipped so there are significantly fewer sakic 2004 covers, especially gamecube.

[@Mickelraven]

It still makes me mad that most of these features weren't brought over to NHL 2005. NHL 2005 is the most wasted potential NHL game ever!

[@shawn3279]

My favorite NHL game ever! My Devils are the Champs on here, the gameplay was great, soundtrack was lit 🔥 (maybe best ever they did) and for the love of God DYNASTY MODE was so damn enjoyable. I love how realistic the dynasty mode was with bad teams not having much fans in attendance due to poor play and not having prestige players rated 90 or higher, etc... EA seriously need to look at NHL 04 and Bring back what made it so damn great!

[@joshuabrown2134]

#Facts

[@joshrazo2355]

I think 03 and 07 were my favourite EA NHL games growing up.

[@joshuabrown2134]

yess.. also classics

[@sportsgamer2342]

NHL 07 new gen sucked (which was expected on new platform), but old gen was great

[@KariSiltavuo]

Biggest jump from game to game in my opinion is NHL 07 (PS2) > NHL 08 (PS3), but if we're talking only within one console then it's NHL 2003 > NHL 2004 (both PS2)

[@JohnsFrusciante]

The old games had a certain flare of realism while also accepting the fact that it was a video game. Which carried a certain charm and entertainment value to it. Just got this game to re-live. Gr8 game.

[@Based_Proletariat]

I played NHL 2002 until I got NHL 2K5. Then I got NHL 2K10 then I got NHL 12 because my dude Stamkos was on the cover.

[@KrisVic91]

My copy of 2004 came today, the disc was broken 😔 Not a good start to the year 😂. Oh well, happy New year dude and to anyone who reads this.

[@justanotherguy345]

Dude get a modded Xbox 360 with 2000 Xbox games save money

[@KrisVic91]

@@justanotherguy345 cant play online

[@scottyoung4814]

just bought a ps2 and still had nhl 2004 from 15 years ago

[@Homedepotorange]

I first started getting into hockey around 2014 (Go Blues) and since I didnt have a pplaystation or xbox I bought this game for probably pretty cheap and played it to death for a few years until I got a ps4 and NHL 17. Its still my go to when i wanna just pick up and play some hockey.

[@SMONclips]

Holy fuck im gonna cry. This was the nhl i spent all day playing. I would copy how the goalies would walk and how Mats sundin would move lol. I thought it was NHL07 but as soon as i saw the menus, and the stadium customization i knew this was the one. I then went down the rabbit hole searched the soundtrack and the nostalgia is unreal

[@GoodOldDaysGaming]

I miss the commentary. "He dipsy-doodles around the defender!" "Jim, it's times like this I'd hate to be the fans still in the parking lot." "I hope the hot dog was worth it!" "ELIAS! SLAPS IT! BLOCKED!"

[@bmshaven]

Blackbox developed the most sim hockey game ever at the time. It was a little slow but added to the realism. Dynasty mode was a grind, but your team eventually became faster and better. I always lost in the playoffs, though. I swear there was an additional layer of difficulty added in. I also owned NHL -06 and '08 for PS2 and they looked better, and still had that awesome presentation, but went back to the 'take your fastest guy and go up the ice without passing' gameplay.

[@Retro_Gamer_89]

Got it emulated on my Xbox Series X 💪

[@MikeBaia]

How did you do that? I still play this on my PS2 lol

[@Retro_Gamer_89]

​@@MikeBaiaXbox Series X/S can emulate Nintendo, SNES, GameCube, N64, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, PS1, PS2 and more check out my KZbin channel I have gameplay on my channel.

[@sharky26-_-]

For me its the best ea game too and the soundtracks are amazing

[@fredrydmusic1]

This game together with 2005 and 007 were my games in EA SPORTS NHL.

[@duffman1876]

I just bought this for the first time on PS2,never really played NHL only 11 or 12 I think but its sad that we have to go back and play the old games,I'm currently playing the old Madden's and NBA smh🙄great vid nonetheless,I can't wait to play this one😎🍻🍺

[@Phicxtion]

I’d say NHL 2K5 and 2K8 are up there with EA’s NHL 04

[@johnnyroberts3761]

No particular order, but I think NHL 94, NHL 2004, NHL 2K8, & NHL 14 are the best hockey games of all time

[@D0ntTaseM3Br0]

I was asking myself why are the teams wearing white on the road and dark at home back then? Then I realized that it was the 2003-04 season we switched over to how it is today due to teams having alternate jerseys at home that are always dark colors. I can't believe it's been 21 years since we switched over.

[@TheCompanionCube1]

2004 is my favorite EA NHL game for sure. However, I prefer the more simulation feel of the 2K series and my go-to hockey game is ESPN NHL 2K5.

[@xxMisterJxx]

NHL 04 is hands down the best one of the franchise

[@ramzeyoakley1108]

I agree ! NHL 20 seems so bland honestly... its like they are trying to impress non hockey fans with shitty soundtracks and pay to play themes.

[@maxim8724]

First nhl i ever got i was 10 in 2003, still the best to this day!

[@rashoff]

I agree completely

[@calixt6514]

I remember hitting player so they would break the glass panel🤣

[@skymagruder5270]

Always acquired so many goons to stick foul guys and fight everyone in losses. Ryan Hollweg was an elite mercenary

[@rodzor]

I remember getting this game for PC, I was 17 back in 04. For me though the GOAT NHL game was 10 years prior. NHL 94, on the SEGA Genesis. Nothing comes close to that game.

[@BeatGrounds]

NHL 2001 and NHL 2004 were my games 👍👍

[@greatestgoalie25]

Definitely my all time favourite of the modern era.

[@miketremblay9211]

This game is the best ever, 08 was cool and 14 was the most close to 04.... and also the soundtrack 😍😍

[@rocky1d]

NHL 2004, 2006 and 2013 were my favourites of the series.

[@KrisVic91]

Why 13 over 14?

[@C-Jay_Underground]

All games after 2004 up to 2016 has been awful... Sadly the latest NHL I've played was 16 on PS4 but I've only went PC! New NHL games seems better but not as good as 2004

[@KrisVic91]

@@C-Jay_Underground legacy edition is v good! I have 04 but it's a bit glitchy on xbox 360 unfortunately.

[@schwalli1234]

The best Hockey Game from ea till now. And with the great rebuild its really awesome!

[@hockeh9230]

Mr. Kelowna is a mod

[@JerryThomas-xc7ur]

Of course it's the best game ever. I totally love this, I wish I still had it. The dynasty mode is AWESOME. I used my dad and brothers as players in it. Then I made my grandpa as the general manager. The fighting could have been better, the goalie fight's is the best. Another favorite thing about the game, is the injuries. Sometimes they stop the play after the hit is done. The other ones the game continues, while the injured player is on the ice. I won the cup around 7 times, before it was damaged. After the second cup, my created player picked up the cup. I never played any other games, just this one.

[@basedworldbillionaire-]

Damn i forgot how much i played this as a little kid till i saw the old oilers logo

[@louisb6895]

Just got this game again it’s so sick

[@roquenroull]

When you scored for Ustorf from Manheim (Germany league) crowd scream USTORF. Nice detail

[@TheRealKRon92]

Never noticed this but the game genuinely cared about other leagues back then too.

[@g4lsupreme542]

Loved this game as a teenager the slow motion breakaway feature goated Ea was on fire this year😢 , fight night , def jam ,live and mvp baseball ⚾️

[@GoofballVidProductions]

The hit-assist, or whatever that slider was called, was flipped. Hence turning it down, actually turned it up instead.

[@mariaharlantseva3549]

The best NHL game ever! I Soundtrack is just stunning

[@ethanburns8209]

I love the goofy ness in 02 and 03

[@strictlynineties]

14, 15 and Legacy are the best imo

[@KrisVic91]

I have, they get a lil boring. Duno why.

[@gagethedarkrailfan7417]

I played almost all nhl games on the ps4 so far and some of the ps3 games too. I played nhl 12 to nhl 24 and also played nhl 08 but nhl 09, 10, and 11 i never played. My favorite nhl team and huge fan of is the Oilers but when i played nhl 08 i thought i start a GM mode with the Atlanta Thrashers because they is no longer around and it would be cool to play with the only other team that i was alive to see play as a late 2000 born guy. I actually agree think NHL 08 was more fun then NHL 24 but sadly my ps3 broke... so i only played nhl 08 for a few months. NHL 24 sucks! Great video man!

[@thedarkartist777]

With the exception of the Franchise glitch, I prefer ESPN NHL 2K5. Love 04 though, the first NHL Game I ever owned!

[@jeremiahthomas2050]

I love this game on the original Xbox, the dynasty mode is epic. Awesome way injures are, and the hits, fighting.

[@Retro_Gamer_89]

Just came in the mail today i bought it off Ebay

[@michaelburmudzija3584]

Still remember when ea said in 2012 "we added goalie fights and never been done before". They take shit out and put it in 8 years later as "new". EA is now a joke. Will never buy the new games. Great review. Miss the old games of NHL when they actually cared.

[@hypn0298]

Last game they actually cared was NHL 14.

[@josephborowski3881]

2004 is the best hockey game ever. You're wrong if you think otherwise.

[@sirtbambson]

Used to love this game but I would say that the AI is really bad compared to more modern ones. The computer doesn't seem to have any intelligence in it. The game also has plenty of annoying things such as the random penalties for small pushes and the constant hooking and holding. The shooting is also quite random. But when I was young, this along with 99 were the two most important games of my childhood.

[@googleuser673]

I love dynastie mode and 04 and 07 were so amazing for it… last I played was 2020 and yes the graphics are nice but it lacks in immersion, its just not fun to build your team…

[@KrisVic91]

How did you get this to play on the Xbox 360? Both discs I've got now have been so buggy? The first disc didn't work and the 2nd the crowd blinks in and out constantly. Looks nothing as smooth as yours. Is there anything I need to do to make it play well on 360? Please reply I've bought two copies now tryna play this 😂.

[@christianatkinson5241]

My favorite song was called Down from NHL 2004😃

[@keylinmichell4224]

I been hoping for this dynasty to come back. Way more indepth. 24 is so plain. Bring nhl 2004 back. My favorite is the fan that screams 'borrringgg' 😅 I want that haggler back

[@xingce1583]

Best NHL game in my opinion. Great to drink some vodka and play a season in the Elite Leagues. I played as Iserlohn and we won the cup, barely. Played on Medium difficulty. My skater was a 77 overall nicknamed "The Hammer" and I just love the challenge of playing it like that. Locked my controller to LW, auto line changes but I manually skate back (which I find makes it extremely fun). The Hammer ended the season as a +3 and I was extremely satisfied. Some funny announcer moments too like "Iserlohn, has his pocket picked!" :D Yes Hahaha. Best NHL game PERIOD. I recommend playing.

[@Lapander91]

One of the things i cant stand playing gm mode now a days on ps5 is that, how ea managed to make menus more laggy/slow year by year since ps4 era till today. 😶

[@zachross8081]

NHL 2004 NHL 06 And NHL 11 were my favorite of the Series

[@blairbailey3496]

I still play these games on the ps2 would love to play on PC if I can use a controller not a fan of keyboards or mouse to play but that's me because I even have an HD hook up for the ps2 and even got a CTR TV but it dont come in crisp like this only reason I would want to try it on PC but I am happy with what I got too just not so crisp looking but then again this is comeing from a guy who is use to ps5 and ps4 graphics

[@idkgaming9818]

what wake up call, holy shit. we should be miles ahead of this today and we have literally gone backwards in everything except graphics.

[@BernardDixon-qc3bn]

Excellent game nhl 2004 better than nhl 2023

[@PatrickMeltonAppreciator]

Looking to buy another NHL game for my ps2. I already have NHL 2005 from when I was younger but unfortunately it’s scratched and skips sometimes. Would you recommend NHL 2004 or one of the NHL 2k games?

[@VicInNocal]

ESPN NHL 2k5 and also NHL 2004

[@f.blessedf.blessed2874]

I just bought this game and I like it more than Nhl 21 even if the graphics suck it’s still a good game I can’t even play explain it why lol

[@Miki36XD]

I loved this game, especially Dynasty and International, but there is no way to make it work on Win10 without rebuild 🥺

[@funmasterjoshy]

So sad to see how far EA NHL video games have gone :(

[@dr.loomis4221]

Are you updating this title every year?

[@dilloncady35]

NHL 04 and 14 greatest of all time

[@silverbeach85]

Just purchased for my PC! LOL edited: needed to download in order to play instead, my computer didn't accept an old game :'D

[@w_4ca]

Can you use NHL logos in create a team? Specifically retro logos? I’d like to recreate the North Stars without having to play as Dallas and selecting the North Stars jerseys.

[@ForlornCrown]

The fact that 04 is better cause of the great music.

[@galagoz7401]

Loved this year

[@kamilw2060]

After the start of a new dynasty mode or season, the game shuts down to Windows. How to fix it?

[@paradiseconnor]

I bought NHL 2004 and 2005 for GameCube earlier

[@anthonybrummett9231]

Sweet. Thank you!

[@TheShadow9380]

I have this game on GameCube.

[@TheEaston1234]

Dynasty mode in the old game was good. The draft always sucked though players never developed

[@hopekiller8530]

My favorite nhl games is nhl 2004 and nhl 06 and nhl 07

[@jackmvgames6474]

07 was the best ever

[@KrisVic91]

@@jackmvgames6474 why?

[@KrisVic91]

@@jackmvgames6474 for old gen or 360 gen?

[@stuart_skinhurts_official]

As an oilers fan myself, what are these rosters lmao

[@TheRealKRon92]

dylxn plays stuff We are coming a long way my friend...

[@LSTNSCRFN]

Best NHL game of all time from EA why did micro transactions have to exist rather than good offline gameplay 😢

[@xKillZone99]

best thing about this game was the sound track but as for NHL games it was pretty weak compared to ps1 ea NHL games and the 2k ps2 games

[@goukenslay7555]

I best one. Only ever played this later got nhl 2011 was that a dumpster fire

[@sebastienhamelbourdeau3821]

Imo the absolute best NHL games were ESPN Hockey 2k4 and 2k5,nhl 04 and 07 best for ea sports

[@KrisVic91]

07 for ps2, xbox or 07 for ps3, xbox 360?

[@dapperdon7850]

yep! where i can download this game? any link? thanks !

[@iBMcFly]

NHL 06, followed by NHL 14.

[@pokemoncardmaster16]

Just picked this up for 1.50$ and ya feel the same way about the new shart ea is shitting out