NCAA Football 06

"This game is great, just like we expect from EA Sports."

OK, if you all know gaming, you know Electronic Arts loves money and has no spine. Why else do you think they bought out all of NFL copyrights? Still, there's no doubt they make some excellent games (too many to name). Even if they've made some genuine crap (Catwoman, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent). This time they add another installment to the NCAA Football series and like all the others, this game is great.

GRAPHICS: 9/10
The players all look like who they're supposed to, even if I've never seen any of these players before. They also detailed the cheerleaders, mascots, and fans. Although the fans and cheerleaders all look alike, they still look like real people! The animations they made for the players are pretty realistic and the arenas all look like the real life arenas. Trust me, I did research. I gotta give EA credit, they know how to do it right.

SOUND: 9/10
They've got commentary from the big names in sports commentary, Brad Nessler, Kirk Hirbstreit, and Lee Corso. The commentators do a great job of calling the game and offering insight. They play music in-between plays and/or drives that is all "Marching Band Music". Thank GOD! I Heart Marching Band Music (I is a drummer). They've got no rock here, like in Madden, but that is a good thing. They've got all the grunts and groans and punt noises here, and they get old after a while. All in all, another solid area of the game.

MULTI-PLAYER/RE-PLAY-ABILITY: 10/10
WOOHOO! ONLINE PLAY! I love online play! They also have regular multi-player in regular matches. Since this game is really fun, so the online and regular multi-player matches work great here. They also have the regular "Dynasty" mode, which if you've played Madden, you know what it is. You basically are a coach and get to set up arenas, recruit players, and play games. The new addition is the "Race for the Heisman" mode. You basically play a created character going through drills, games, and seasons to work up your player to be the best at whatever position you want him to play. Both these modes can take you a while, and are definitely more fun to play more than once. You'll get your money's worth here.

GAME-PLAY: 9/10
Again, if you've played Madden, you can play this without too much trouble. However, the Xbox controls are a little hard to work with. There's a big improvement over the passing this year. Last year you couldn't hit a pass if your life depended on it. Now it's easier, but you still need skill. This game is difficult, I must say that. Especially if you've never played a football game or don't understand a thing about football. Like I do. They've also added the "hit stick" thing from Madden '05. You flick the right analog stick in the direction of the guy you want to hit. If you hit the guy with it, you'll have a better chance of causing a fumble. If you miss, he'll stay down for a while. They don't have the "playmaker" option also from Madden '05, but they'll probably add it for the next one. Because of the way you play this game, it feels really satisfying to win, and that alone makes this game also a ton of fun. Now if only could make the controls better...

OVERALL:
Another standard great sports title from EA. This also proves to be one of the best they've ever made IMO. Definite buy for any of the systems, although if you're looking for the one that controls better, pick up the PS2, not Xbox.
FINAL SCORE: 9/10
+Graphics are solid
+Players, arenas, fans, and cheerleaders look realistic
+Marching band music
+Commentary is good
+ONLINE PLAY!!!!
+Bunches of modes
+Fun game to play
+Very satisfying
-Controls are tough to handle on Xbox
-Could have added more to innovate
-Difficult game
-Kind of standard

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/14/05