Ok, due to the fact that I am currently purchasing a house, I am having to scale way back on some of my expenses for a few months. However, I have managed to score a $50 Gift Card from my local BB, which I will ultimately put to use towards one of the new EA football games. But which one?

I know this it thread may be a little premature, as Madden 2004 isn't out just yet. However, I was hoping to get some feedback about NCAA 2004 first, with the Madden supporters chiming in very shortly. Plus, I figure quite a few members have owned copies of the previous years and can make a good arguement for one or the other.

So with that said, if you were only limited to (PS2) NCAA 2004 or (PS2) Madden 2004, which one would you get and why?

You can't go wrong with both. Both are the best football games you can buy. It just matters if you like the NFL or college better. I like college myself more than NFL due to more teams and what not.

I would agree. I enjoy the "pagentry" of NCAA Football.

DAC

NCAA rules! The game play is more fun with the option play. Plus, there are so many more teams to play.

However, I'd recommend buying one this year, the other next year. If on a budget, rotation might be the way to go...or at least wait until the price drops after the season on the second purchase.

I'm not into real college sports, but I much prefer NCAA to Madden. I bought both NCAA and Madden last year and I played WAY more NCAA. I never even finished a season in Madden. I just found the presentation, sound, and everything in NCAA more enjoyable than Madden. That's my opinion anyway.

you could rent both,, give them a trial run

I did manage to rent NCAA 2004 a couple of weeks back and really enjoyed it! I thought the overall presentation was very solid. Unfortunately, I don't get to watch as much college football as I'd like, so only having the players listed by number and position is a little dissappointing. I realize that this is done for a particular reason. However, since finding out that you can d/l the entire rosters for teams thanks to people like Blacklover, this is really not much of an issue. Also of interest, I overheard a few guys at work mention that if you update the team roster in NCAA 2004, the announcer will actually reference the player by name on occasion? Can anyone confirm or rebuke this?

I may wait until I can get my hands on a copy of Madden 2004, however in the mean time... I'm all hears as to others opinions on either title.

The announcers use the names if you have your players named. I think the only ones they won't say are some of the more unusual names, but they will say most of them.

both are very good, but I think Madden is the one to get this year. Owner mode is gongi to kick a$$. This is something I have been waiting for for years. This game can't ship fast enough for me.

anyone know why they cant use names on the rosters, but the names are obviously already built into the game...you just need to update the rosters so they work? i know its all about you cant license college players but how can they fill the cd with verbal names, just not text names?

You can record the name White, and this does not name anyone specific, and it covers anyone that you may later name White. Now if you say OU QB #18 White, this is actually naming a particular person. Also after the first year, all your recruits have names that are generated and it is legal to state a fake persons name.

Do you like college ball or pro ball better? Go with whatever you like most. I have more "allegiance" to my alma mater (Gig 'Em Aggies!) than any pro team, so I go with NCAA.

well, I was over at a friends place on sunday night to play NCAA and I'm glad I didn't buy it. I thought the graphics were lousy (we box own xbox's), the gameplay was simply a rehash of Madden with even the same gestures of the players, it just really seemed clunky and a letdown...Of course I will eventually buy Madden 2004, but I still have 15 years left on my franchise from 2003 .

but im talking about in my game now...online and first year dynasty. EA obviously cant enter the names on screen so they have the numbers but the names i've put in the announcers now say. i named the majority of the arizona state team and during my games the announcers say them (ever the very strange names). i dont understand how its ok to enter all the names by voice but not the names in text.

It is okay to record the name Simms. This could be a guy that comes out of high school in year 3 of your dynasty, this is how EA got away with having the anouncers record the names. They know everyone is going to rename the players and they just have the voice talent record most of the big names.

Look at the names of your prospects. They use the same names that are out there now. In Madden I have drafted Noga, Biakabatuka, Simms, Farve and just about every other name of an actual NFL player. This is the excuse EA is using to get around the NCAA rules.

i want to see if they can/will announce the name of the transfer CB to OU, Femi Odunayo.

Madden does have some improvements that NCAA doesn't have, such as playmaker control on offense and defense. That's why I'm getting Madden. Not to mention owner mode.

I've thought NCAA was the better game the past couple of years so I'd say NCAA.