NCAA 08

NCAA March Madness 08
$29.99
Wow... EA are you serious? Sometimes, I think they just needed to fill a PS3 quota with this conversion. I also think they have inexperienced/inadequate development teams working on some of their titles. And apparently, when going in and fixing this or that is too costly or time consuming, they just add a new feature or two to gloss over the remaining crappy elements included in this title. I bought this game with little expectations, I read the reviews and said, how bad can it be? I've played Live 08, and it wasn't that bad. But this is BAD!!! The frame rate, as you may have read is really the issue. Players jerk and jostle about. You'll step out of bounds without trying, get locked into an animation as you go to the net and again, run out of bounds. The opponent double teams and intentional fouls you if you're winning with less than a minute to go - which sends you out of bounds to pass it in - which is incredibly annoying the 5th time it happens. But it's not all bad. I like the college feel, the arenas feel alive, the mascots, cheerleaders, etc. all feel like NCAA football. The low post play is pretty solid, as you can rely on an easy bucket by flicking the right analog stick when the defense posts up and move right on around him. Most players instead of a dunk do a up and under move that's pretty reliable as well. Still, the frame rate is the biggest nail in this games coffin. And where is the game you see in the screen shots? or even in the in-game opening preview after the title screen? A few more close ups of the pretty decent looking player models would be nice, heck if they can get the graphic quality to anything close to what you see when you win or lose and congratulate the other team, then this might be something to write a positive review about. But nope, it's just skinny kids playing ball. Eh, skip it!

Add-on 8/29: After playing this game awhile, it's starting to grow on me. Yeah the above issues are still there. But, if you slow the game down on the sliders to a snails pace, the gameplay is actually quite solid. I've enjoyed the mini games before each game and I like how it transitions from the playground to the arena, where all the fans cheer or boo as you make and miss shots. The recruiting part is actually kind of fun, sending emails, packages, scholarships, etc. are all fun. And like I said before, as college goes, it's really cool to play in the arena's with the mascots, fans, cheerleaders, etc. That might be because I didn't go to a big school, so I missed out. But I can get it all here in the comfort of my own home. Not a bad game. But still I hear College Hoops is the one to get.

Combo Madden 08 + NCAA Football 08 2008 for Playstation 2
$29.98
Madden: Step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers as you fight for every yard. Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs. Between the tackles or in the open field, run to daylight with Madden NFL 08. Bust out player-specific running styles matching those of real NFL players NCAA: In NCAA Football 08 you'll put your heart, hustle, and toughness on the line, for the right to a championship win! With all-new Leadership Control, you can boost the motivation level of your teammates by making big plays. A Campus Legend mode and even deeper Dynasty Mode puts your coaching prowess and integrity to the ultimate test. With the all-new My Shrine, Home Field Advantage, and exciting new plays like the Statue of Liberty, NCAA Football 08 is everything that's great about college football. What kind of legacy will you leave?

Notre Dame Freshman Fitted Cap (Small)
$24.99
Fitted garment washed cap with relaxed fit, unstructured crown, raised embroidered primary logo on the front and secondary team logo on the back

NCAA Football 08
$19.99
I got hooked on the NCAA Football games with NCAA 2005. I played it over and over for hours until I had to force myself to get something new. With NCAA Football 2008, I appreciated some upgrades (better recruiting system, faster loading, graphics slightly improved, more controls) so I was now hooked on this game. A few minor criticisms: There are not many options for player details, mainly face shapes and facial hair. The commentary does get a little old because it's the same from the previous couple years. The pre-game commentary is also the same for every game. Like I said these are minor, so don't weigh too heavily on my opinion of the game.

This game can certainly get frustrating at times. Do you ever have the feeling that a game is cheating? This game gives me that feeling. I have never, never, never been so sure that a game has been cheating than when I get 10 holding calls IN A ROW. Come to think of it there are too many penalty calls in general, even when I have them set on very low. I like a sports game with penalties involved to keep some realism in it, but it gets ridiculous. Also the momentum feature can get a little out of control. If the computer stops a run or sacks the Quarterback, they will suddenly have a magically superior defense that can blitz through anything to keep getting those hits, no matter what play you have or how good you have been playing up to that point. I'll laugh when I see all of my offensive linemen winning awards at the end of the year and wonder how they could be so good if they were allowing so many hits and sacks.

Those occasional frustrations aside, it's a very good game, and very addicting. I hear 09 and 10 don't have much new to offer so I'll likely stick to this game. I plan on renting 10 to see if the penalties feature is a little more reasonable...