College Hoops 2K7

"Wasted potential, but still a good game"

2ksports has boasted that their college hoops game is the #1 rated college basketball for several years running. It's accuracy in game play, amount of schools, and legacy mode have justified that statement. That's why it's so disappointing for this game to come out late and be so average.

Graphics (7/10) Nothing really new and what is new just feels rushed. The games animation is brilliant in some aspects, but awful in others. It's not that the graphics are bad. In fact, they're pretty good. Unfortunately, they are the same models used in 2k6. It gives the game a reused look. It doesn't help that during replays the ball tends to disappear when going into the hoop. During high tempo points of the game, the game has a tendency to freeze for a second then continues as if nothing happened. This happens at least once per game. It really makes the game feel broken.

The sad thing is, despite the collision issues and the lag time, the game actually runs smoothly. The games animators did a great job in making smooth passes look great and ugly shots look awful. There are a variety of players and they did a great job in making the head coaches look similar to their real life counterparts. However, it's all been done before in 2k6.

Sound (7/10) SQUEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
Let me begin by saying that the on court sounds are great. You have the ability to adjust the sounds during the game play, but at a cost. That "SQUEEE!!!!" or whistle sound is the cost of having the crowd noise too loud. You'll notice it if you set the crowd noise level above 90.

I must say that 2kBeats offers a nice mix of hip-hop, rock and band music. The game has 200 different fight songs. You can listen to 60 of them in 2kBeats mode. You can change the playlist anytime, however there are times when the music does not play, when the game first loads.

Gameplay (7/10)
The controls are very responsive, however if you're new to 2ksports, there is a learning curve. For those that stopped at 2k5, gone is the need for Turbo+Shoot to dunk the ball. It's now more automated or just use the shot stick if you want to be fancy about it.

Stealing the ball is used with the R3 stick. You can still use the steal button by changing the button configurations in the options menu if you prefer. It doesn't take much time to get used to however, you will foul your opponent until you get the hang of it; and that's a problem. As soon as you get the timing down, it's not impossible to get 10-15 steals per game in a 5 minute half from one player. It becomes borderline cheap if you're playing against a pro.

I know this goes back to the graphics, but as mentioned before the game suffers from lagging. It happens at least twice per game. Those that aren't use to it will obviously have there momentum thrown off and it's something you don't even want to get used to. It's just unacceptable because this is really a good game.

X-Factor (8/10)
The game has a ton of extras and modes so unless you're not a basketball you won't get bored. Returning, are the practice modes, mini-games like one on one and 21, legacy, and rivalry modes as well as the Campus Store. You can still unlock the historical teams, third uniforms and play table tennis in the Campus Store mode.

2ksports already had most (if not all) of the NCAA division I basketball teams, but it now has 200 college fight songs, 60 of which can be played in the games menu. This has its good and bad. For example, small and mid-major schools you would not expect has their fight song in, but a power conference school, i.e. Michigan State, does not.

Legacy mode is as deep as ever as you can recruit high school players from their freshmen year on. Bigger schools are now available (not as many as you would like) so if you are patient careers at Duke, and North Carolina will become available.

And lets not forget the College Preseason Show and Selection Sunday. I understand it can get boring (about 10 minutes long a piece); however if you are a college basketball fan it's great. Greg Gumbel and Clark Kellogg do a great job breaking down the preseason top 25 teams and players, and watching the selection show is like watching the real thing minus commercials.

Rent/Buy (total 7/10)
If you stopped at 2k5, I recommend buying the game. The game stop and starting in the midst of action is downright unacceptable. It's still a fun game though. 2k6 owners may want to rent the game first. Not much new has made it into the game and it may or may not be worth it. Just hope that 2ksports has not abandoned the PS2 and hopefully 2k8 will be better.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 04/26/07