Just like NBA Live, NCAA March Madness is starting to show it's age.
You will instantly notice this game is made by the same crew that makes NBA Live. It has the same look, feel, and annoyances of that series. The good part is that you get a fun, faced paced arcade-style basketball game. And the game does a really good job of putting you into that college atmosphere (NCAA Baseball developers should take notes), but it doesn't really do a whole lot to differ itself from NBA Live. There are still way too many steals and blocks. The dynasty mode just misses the mark on a few things enough to get under your skin, but you still play it. The game doesn't auto load or save anything. At least you can unlock better things in this one than just some stupid sneakers.
The biggest addition has been the Lockdown Stick. It's pretty fun to use and I think this idea should be in all basketball games. There are lots of hidden classic teams to unlock, which is pretty cool. And like I said before, the actual gameplay itself is fun. It just has these several things throughout the game that you notice that could have been much better. Like the visuals.....
Just like NBA Live, NCAA March Madness needs a graphical overhaul. Everything in this game is pretty old school. Not in that cool, SNES kind of way. More like in that "aren't these the same graphics we had in 2002" kind of way. The player models lack detail and the crowd is terrible looking. The sound is even worse. First off, I don't know who's idea it was to mix old top-40 pop songs with a school marching band but they need to be fired. Hearing 'Funky Town' being played by a school marching band is pain that the ears should never have to endure. And then you get to Dick Vitale. This guy is the most annoying announcer in the history of announcers. We all know this. Then why the hell do they insist on putting him in a videogame?!! At least he doesn't say as much and his voice is kinda muted under the in-game action.
I like the dynasty mode and the ability to recruit players during the season. If you played NCAA Football, then you will know the drill. Other than the dynasty mode, I haven't found much reason to play this game. That's too bad, but that's the truth. If I want multiplayer basketball, I usually boot up NBA Live. Not because it's just so much better, but because NCAA March Madness never really does anything to make it stand out. Maybe they will take care of that problem with the next generation. Give this a rental before any purchase. You might be thanking me you did.