Wow. I have both the PS2 version and the PS3 version of NCAA 08 Football. I really enjoyed the PS2 version. On the PS3 version, I enjoyed the super-sim option (which allows you to fast-forward through a game play-by-play), and the new recruiting system which mimics reality. Aside from those two things, the PS3 version is far inferior to the PS2 version. The players all wear ridiculously shiny uniforms (maybe NCAA is moving towards using vinyl for the uniforms?), the players all look like beefy carry-overs from Madden code, play calling is very annoying (on the PS2, you see 3 plays at once, on the PS3, you can either see on play at once, or four at once but they're displayed somewhat arbitrarily), navigating the Dynasty menu is a major pain (the text is very jumbled and you have to use weird combinations of buttons to go from menu to menu, as opposed to X to go forward and Triangle to go back on the PS2 version), there is annoying delay between when you press the button on the controller and when the processor actually acknowledges it (you'll have to spin or juke well before encountering a defender since the delay means acting in real time ensures that the player won't perform the action it until it's too late), the delay totally ruins the passing game (in the PS2 version, if your QB tries to dump the ball off right as a defender is getting to them, they'll wind up with a sack rather than the quick dump off. In the PS3 version, you have to be a ridiculous fifteen yards away from a defender to be able to dump the ball off, something that is practically impossible), while there are many plays to choose from, many are play-action passes (which could really be called "sack-action passes" in the PS3 version), no FCS/Div IAA teams, no alternate uniforms, on and on.
One thing added this year was the feature to allow you to download the weather real time via the internet. On the PS2 version, I have to actually look out my window and press the X button a few times to achieve the same result. You may telling yourself the automatic weather updates were a waste on EA's part, but if you didn't have opposable thumbs, you'd probably appreciate what they've accomplished. Another feature is to be able to record replays from your games. This is a great feature if you're playing and you realize that your wife is asleep. You can just wake her up in the morning and say "hey, look, I made a touchdown" while she's fixing waffles.
I don't know why EA went this way. Maybe they test marketed four year olds that were deprived of their hyperactivity medication. Nevertheless, they chose something ridiculous for a normal college football fan. if you like the realism and simulation of previous NCAA titles (from the PS2), and if you like the feel and atmosphere of college football, don't expect to be pleased by this game. If you like cartoony, arcade-like graphics that will evoke nostalgic feelings for Tecmo Bowl, then this is probably the game for you. Sadly, I'm in the former camp, so I'll have to wait to see if EA will make a real college football game for the PS3 (the PS2 version is great, except for no super-sim and the old, unrealistic recruiting system).
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