March Madness 08 (360)

tdawg

Platinum Member
May 18, 2001
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So, March Madness 08 came out today; has anybody picked it up, or is planning on picking it up? There are absolutely no reviews for the game posted yet, which is very frustrating. I really want to know how this game turned out? I'm a 2K College Hoops fan going back the last three versions, but I don't think I really want this year's version (unless March Madness 08 sucks).

So, if anybody has played this, care to share your opinions?

Thanks in advance,
Trevor
 

Modeps

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
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I was looking at possibly picking up a collage basketball title this year and was leaning towards the 2k version... but I dont know one way or the other because I've never actually played a college ball game before. I'd like to know peoples thoughts too... actually on either title.
 

tdawg

Platinum Member
May 18, 2001
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The one glaring issue that keeps getting reiterated in the reviews for College Hoops 2k8 is the fact that the backcourt violation rule is screwed up (I don't like the sounds of the lock-on D implementation, either). The method of shooting with the right analog stick is actually satisfying. I don't know if EA has added that to their game, but it's certainly nice in 2k.

College Hoops 2k7 was a solid game, though I much preferred Jay Bilas commentating in 2k6 (or was it 2k5? I can't remember), compared to Lundquist and Rafferty in the 2k7. Since you can probably pick it up on the cheap, you might consider starting there. I personally love the college B-ball games (I am not an NBA fan in the least) and the 2k series has satisfied since I started with it in 2005, but some of the atmospheric aspects of the EA series has piqued my interest. I'm just hoping they fixed the issues from last year's effort.
 

Modeps

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
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In terms of being a fan, I hate the NBA but I love college ball... well, when I have time to watch, and in March... I make the time (specially this last year when I hit the Meadowlands) but I've found myself enjoying the 2K NBA games for a bit. I'll keep my eyes open though... maybe I'll just ask for one of them for a christmas present :)
 

tdawg

Platinum Member
May 18, 2001
2,215
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March Madness (the tourney, not the game :)) is the best month of sports (except for the World Cup every 4 years)! I went to a regional game a few years back when Gonzaga played Nevada (can't remember the other game) at Key Arena. It was just an awesome experience. Few things are more exciting than tournament college basketball!

I played NBA 2k5 or 2k6 and really enjoyed it, but the legacy mode of the college game is awesome. I surprisingly really like the recruiting aspect of the game. That's what's so much better than the pro game--you can recruit many top players in college, but you only get to draft one or two good players in the pros.
 

tdawg

Platinum Member
May 18, 2001
2,215
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Originally posted by: Modeps
Review is up at IGN:
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/840/840810p1.html

They gave it a 7.4/10 which is almost a full point less than 2k's offering but christ... just having Dicky V in the game as an announcer.... that right there makes me very interested :D

The commentators sound pretty good, but the rest doesn't look/sound too good. Some of those passes in the gameplay video just looked like they kind of zipped in there despite the presence of any defenders. And they didn't fix anything from last year, according to the review, which means a ton of tic-tac fouls and skill-less shooting (judging by last years review and this one). I guess I'll stick to 2k7; maybe I'll pick up 2k8 when it's price comes way down. I'm disappointed, but what can I expect from EA? They only had an entire year to make this game work. You'd think they'd focus first on ball physics, since if that's not realistic, what's the point? :)

Oh well.