NCAA March Madness 2004 was the 2003 installment in the NCAA March Madness series

NCAA Basketball series

The NCAA Basketball series was a College basketball game published by EA Sports from 1995 until 2009. After EA Sports' rival publisher 2K Sports cancelled its own college basketball game, College Hoops, in 2008, EA changed the name of the series from NCAA March Madness to NCAA College Basketball...

. It was released on November 17, 2003 for the PlayStation 2

PlayStation 2

The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...

 and Xbox

Xbox

The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...

. Former Syracuse

Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...

 player Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Kiyan Anthony , nicknamed "Melo", is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association...

 was featured on the cover. Commentary is done by Brad Nessler

Brad Nessler

Bradley "Brad" Nessler is an American sportscaster, who currently calls college basketball and college football games for ESPN with occasional appearances on ESPN on ABC. He will also call Thursday Night Football on NFL Network beginning in 2011, and appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports'...

 and "Mr. College Basketball" Dick Vitale

Dick Vitale

Richard J. "Dick" Vitale , also known as "Dickie V", is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well-known as a college basketball broadcaster and for the enthusiastic and colorful remarks he makes during games. He is known for his...

 as he is introduced in the game. This was the first time the player could pick his or her favorite school and the menus would be stylized in the school's colors and a cheerleader or mascot will appear on the main menu while playing the school's fight song. The game plays similar to NBA Live 2004

NBA Live 2004

NBA Live 2004 is the 2004 installment of the NBA Live video games series. The cover features Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors . The game was developed by EA Sports and released on October 14, 2003...

.

Features

The game allows the player to pick their favorite school and run a college basketball dynasty for 30 seasons and lead them to a National Champions. The player can play as a prestigious school like the Duke Blue Devils or a school of lower prestige and bring them into the national spotlight. The game allows the player to create his or her own school, but with limited options. The game features all of the major tournaments including the NCAA Tournament and Maui Invitational and a Frat Party Mode which is a four team tournament for 4-players. Other modes include mascot game, where the player can play as a school's mascot. As well as Dickie V integration where Dick Vitale offers his take on the features of the game and gives gamers hints in Dynasty Mode on recruiting. The player can also import their draft class to NBA Live 2004

NBA Live 2004

NBA Live 2004 is the 2004 installment of the NBA Live video games series. The cover features Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors . The game was developed by EA Sports and released on October 14, 2003...

, however the players are given fictional names after they are imported.

Player Names

Players are not given names in the game because of rights of the NCAA to its players, to allow this the NCAA would have to pay the players. Players can still give the players names and some players are recognizable, such as 2004 NBA Draft

2004 NBA Draft

The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...

 prospects Josh Childress

Josh Childress

Joshua Malik Childress is an American professional basketball player with the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. He previously played with the pro club Olympiacos Piraeus in the Greek A1 League and the Euroleague, as well as the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA.-High school career:Childress attended Mayfair High...

(Stanford) and Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor

Emeka Okafor

Chukwuemeka Ndubuisi Okafor, abbreviated as Emeka Okafor , is an American basketball power forward and center for the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Prior to the NBA, Okafor attended Houston's Bellaire High School, and the University of Connecticut.-Early life:Okafor...

 (Connecticut

Connecticut

Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...

).

Extras

Extras in the game feature the cameos of NBA rookies Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Kiyan Anthony , nicknamed "Melo", is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association...

, Chris Bosh

Chris Bosh

Christopher Wesson Bosh is an American professional basketball player who plays power forward for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association ....

, and Kirk Hinrich

Kirk Hinrich

Kirk James Hinrich is an American professional basketball player, currently a guard for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. He has also been a member of the USA National Team....

 and rowdy college fans and NCAA head coaches saying "EA Sports, It's In The Game". For added realism, NCAA head basketball coaches offer defensive and offensive strategies.

Controls

The game was the first in the series to feature freestyle moves and separate buttons for dunks and layups and the ability to perform an alley-oop. Also the player can make decisions in mid-air and make adjusted shots.

Reception

Critics praised the new features of the game and the addition of tournament modes to gameplay. Many gamers complained about Dick Vitale's integration stating "if you are annoyed by Dick Vitale, don't pick this game up." It was praised as a "good, overall basketball game".