EA had an all star lineup for its sports titles this year at E3, and no matter what your competitive persuasion, they've got it covered.
First and foremost is the fourteenth season of Madden NFL, this one aptly branded with the 2004 title. Showing that it is THE football title on the market, Madden 2004 will feature a revolutionary Playmaker Control system, allowing the player to make adjustments to the play after the snap. Also on the football menu is NCAA Football 2004, the college football game that not only lets you pit every modern collegiate team against each other, but also classic teams like the 1924 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
On the ice was NHL 2004, quite possibly the best hockey game ever made. This is the franchise's eleventh year in existence, and that is a true testament to it being the number one selling interactive hockey game around. This will be the first of its kind to feature Online play for the PC and PS2, as well as including new international teams.
For those of you who shy away from the cold, the sunny hills of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 should be a sight for sore eyes. This title has everything a golfer could want. It allows the player to create a champion golfer and bring them through the PGA Tour Season to see if they can accumulate more cash than Tiger. PGA 2004 is also going to be Online exclusive for the PS2 and PC, so get ready to take on a whole world of golfers.
No sports lineup would be complete without basketball, and EA has two new titles that will satiate any court king's appetite. NBA Live 2004 has radically enhanced its Sports Dynasty Mode, as well as including all new moves and a better passing game. For those who appreciate the sport on a college level, NCAA March Madness 2004 is sure to please. Preseason tournaments all the way up to the 'Big Dance' are available, as well as featuring the EA Sports Freestyle Control that truly captures the excitement and passion of College basketball.
Car fans will be elated when they see NASCAR Thunder 2004 in action, the game that has delivered the true nature of NASCAR racing to the fans. The big feature about this game is the alliances and rivalries that can spawn on the track, relations that could spell disaster or domination for the player. Race against 42 real world stars or Online on the PS2 or PC against real people.
EA would be hard pressed to forget about the more popular sports of the world. Only in its third installment, EA Sports Rugby 2004 is looking better than ever. With the success of their last title, EA is now putting a lot more muscle into this series. New controls, animations, and character models are everywhere in this genre clinching title.
Soccer fans haven't been left out either, and with FIFA Soccer 2004 on the horizon, they should be happier than ever. A new mode has been added to this rendition of the series, one that will allow the player to take a team from the bottom rungs of the ladder and battle their way to the top. Of course the control is as solid as ever, delivering authentic soccer at its best.
Whatever suits you this upcoming holiday, you can't go wrong with any of these titles. The graphics are pristine, the controls are on hit, and if you own a PS2, you'll get exclusive online play. It's gonna be a great year for sports, ladies and gentlemen.
