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MMChrisS · 11-17-2008, 11:00 PM

It seems that EA Sports got the message after OS gave last year's edition of March Madness a four out of 10 rating. The embarrassment was too much to handle and thus, EA had to change the name of the franchise from March Madness to NCAA Basketball.

In reality, with no other competition on the market, there is no reason to fear calling your game something generic like NCAA Basketball 09. But, does the name change equate to real change when it comes to the direction of the series? It seems as if the game has taken two steps forward, but it is still being weighed down by the same issues that have been plaguing EA basketball for half a decade.

NCAA Basketball is a big improvement over last year's March Madness in almost every way. This improvement makes NCAA Basketball one of the best college basketball experiences on a next-gen console. Is it the best yet? Probably not, but the game is certainly a big step in the right direction.

Read More: NCAA Basketball 09 Review

DustinT · 11-17-2008, 11:13 PM

Just finished, good read. Seems like the general consensus of this game is good, not great. Coming from EA that is pretty good, I'll be picking it up tomorrow, thanks for the review.

Ty · 11-17-2008, 11:26 PM

Great review! This will definitely be one of the things to decide if I get the game or not. Thank you!

Walker8 · 11-17-2008, 11:31 PM

I've only played the demo but decent review and quick lol. It seems like EA is on their way back but hasn't quite gotten up to speed with their basketball games yet. Me personally im enjoying live and think this site favors 2k a bit. If this game plays better than live truthfully speaking its probably the best bball game this year. That doesn't mean its met its potential and it doesnt have its flaws.

Behindshadows · 11-18-2008, 12:17 AM

Good review! I guess your gripes are valid. Hopefully they can patch the boost in the atmosphere like 2k did with CH2k8 they can always add things.

We were having the same discussion in the Live threads about download content adding commentary and things like that.

Overall good review and it's sad to hear about the jacking up the menu system in Dynasty mode. I loved the one in March Madness it was well thought out and designed.

I won't get my copy for another few days, but good too see you guys are on top of it.

HMcCoy · 11-18-2008, 01:20 AM

Nice review. Wasn't feeling the demo...

tabulaRasa · 11-18-2008, 02:31 AM

I guess EA loves that the competetion is gone, finally being just ok is enough to get sales.

bears5122 · 11-18-2008, 02:40 AM

Good review. Didn't seem like you guys were blown away by this one. I had a feeling with competition out of the way we'd just get an average game that is more catered toward the arcade crowd.

If it was any other year, I'd probably be forced to pick this up to get my college hoops fix. But this year there are so many good games out there that I can pass.

biglami · 11-18-2008, 02:56 AM

I am a gameplay guy...dont really care for the bells and whistles (dynasty, legacy, dunk contests, importing draft classes etc); and it seems that the one thing that EA got right (which they haven't done in a long time) is nail the gameplay.

And thus, I will be picking this game up for sure, but not ASAP unfortunately. And I dont think this site is biased toward 2K. I thionk 2K has been kicking EA's *** over the years, and the comments on this site, reviews may have reflected that. However, this year, EA seems to have amazingly closed the gap and is the better product, not because they are so awesome, but simply because 2K has taken a step back and allowed EA to close the gap. Just my opinion tho.

dbrandon · 11-18-2008, 03:57 AM

I disagree the gameplay is fair at best. I really don't see how they can feel good about releasing a game this bad after over 10 years. Why don't they focus on gameplay and then move on? This is just a mess everything feels like it was rushed and put about 2 weeks work into.

11-17-2008, 11:13 PM	#2
DustinT Steve's Boss OVR: 40 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 2,308 Blog Entries: 39	Re: NCAA Basketball 09 Review Just finished, good read. Seems like the general consensus of this game is good, not great. Coming from EA that is pretty good, I'll be picking it up tomorrow, thanks for the review. __________________ Operation Sports Senior Editor Follow me on Twitter R.I.P Seattle SuperSonics

11-17-2008, 11:31 PM	#4
Walker8 Banned OVR: 14 Join Date: Nov 2003	Re: NCAA Basketball 09 Review I've only played the demo but decent review and quick lol. It seems like EA is on their way back but hasn't quite gotten up to speed with their basketball games yet. Me personally im enjoying live and think this site favors 2k a bit. If this game plays better than live truthfully speaking its probably the best bball game this year. That doesn't mean its met its potential and it doesnt have its flaws. Last edited by Walker8; 11-18-2008 at 02:49 AM.

11-18-2008, 02:40 AM	#8
bears5122 MVP OVR: 12 Join Date: Mar 2003	Re: NCAA Basketball 09 Review Good review. Didn't seem like you guys were blown away by this one. I had a feeling with competition out of the way we'd just get an average game that is more catered toward the arcade crowd. If it was any other year, I'd probably be forced to pick this up to get my college hoops fix. But this year there are so many good games out there that I can pass.

11-18-2008, 02:56 AM	#9
biglami Pro OVR: 11 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Blog Entries: 1	Re: NCAA Basketball 09 Review I am a gameplay guy...dont really care for the bells and whistles (dynasty, legacy, dunk contests, importing draft classes etc); and it seems that the one thing that EA got right (which they haven't done in a long time) is nail the gameplay. And thus, I will be picking this game up for sure, but not ASAP unfortunately. And I dont think this site is biased toward 2K. I thionk 2K has been kicking EA's *** over the years, and the comments on this site, reviews may have reflected that. However, this year, EA seems to have amazingly closed the gap and is the better product, not because they are so awesome, but simply because 2K has taken a step back and allowed EA to close the gap. Just my opinion tho. __________________ http://www.thrivemovement.com

11-17-2008, 11:26 PM	#3
Ty Just A Kid OVR: 18 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Galena, KS Posts: 322 Blog Entries: 2	Great review! This will definitely be one of the things to decide if I get the game or not. Thank you!

11-18-2008, 12:17 AM	#5
Behindshadows The Unbiased Gamer OVR: 50 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Somewhere in Texas Posts: 7,758 Blog Entries: 11	Good review! I guess your gripes are valid. Hopefully they can patch the boost in the atmosphere like 2k did with CH2k8 they can always add things. We were having the same discussion in the Live threads about download content adding commentary and things like that. Overall good review and it's sad to hear about the jacking up the menu system in Dynasty mode. I loved the one in March Madness it was well thought out and designed. I won't get my copy for another few days, but good too see you guys are on top of it.

11-18-2008, 01:20 AM	#6
HMcCoy Buckets! OVR: 35 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: XSFGY: Cleveland Campus Posts: 8,483	Nice review. Wasn't feeling the demo...

11-18-2008, 02:31 AM	#7
tabulaRasa Pro OVR: 22 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sweden Blog Entries: 1	I guess EA loves that the competetion is gone, finally being just ok is enough to get sales.

11-18-2008, 03:57 AM	#10
dbrandon Banned OVR: 17 Join Date: Mar 2003	I disagree the gameplay is fair at best. I really don't see how they can feel good about releasing a game this bad after over 10 years. Why don't they focus on gameplay and then move on? This is just a mess everything feels like it was rushed and put about 2 weeks work into.