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.

Maddens on the PS2 were classic!

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

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

That soundtrack was the best madden soundtrack ever imo.

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

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

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

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.

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!

I miss when madden was actually good

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.

Using Michael Vick felt like cheating 😂

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.

So many memories when that Madden 101 audio came in

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

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.

Yeesssss Madden 04, my favorite of all time

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

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

Maddens from this era were so in depth 🔥🏈

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.

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

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

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!

Speaking of iconic, Softdrinktv video intro is iconic

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.

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

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.

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…

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

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

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

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.

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

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

"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"

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.

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

Never been this early

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

This punched me right in the childhood

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

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

One of my favorite Maddens.

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!

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!

These Retrospectives are Legendary! Thank you for doing them.

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

The 1 dislike is from Clint Oldenburg

Ya i remember when this game out, i was a sophmore in high school. I remember their was a simple rule me and my friends played by. NO ONE USES ATLANTA.

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

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

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.

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.

Mike Vick was a cheat code unstoppable

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.

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

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

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.

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

Back In The Mud I've Been In I Confess... Im So Happy Here! Nothing You Can Do To Make Me Stay Away! Away! Away!

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.

As a brit who didn't grow up with NFL, I started watching a couple of years ago and I love it. I've played the more recent games but my favourite and most played console is ps2 and I've been looking to see what the best Madden game is on the system. This one seems to come up a lot.

And the greatest. I can’t put it down. It’s so great to me. Had full user control of my player. Creating plays is the best feature ever. Good times.

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

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.

Madden 05 is the pinnacle of the franchise…but even that game couldn’t compete with any 2K related football game released. I still play APF2K8 frequently.

I had the Playstation 1 version of the game, and it's still a fun game to pop in and play, even if it's missing several features to it

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

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.

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.

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

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!

PS2/OG Xbox/Gamecube era will always be the peak of great sports' video games [whether if you are fans of American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, golf or even wrestling]. Also I can't wait for your video regarding the Fall of FIFA video games because shoddy practices of sports' video game developers such as microtransactions since PS4/XBOX ONE era made me stopped buying sports' video games.

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.

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.

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).

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. 😅

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

I’ve never played a MADDEN game in my life but I just ordered myself a copy of this off Ebay thanks to this video

Football 101 was amazing, and I hope you make a dedicated compilation video of *all* the football 101 plays.

One of my favorite Maddens

I had to hit the notification bell because I am not happy I missed this when it first was published.

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