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College Hoops 2K12 -- A Mock Review

Like the NFL 2K series and the MVP Baseball series from EA Sports, the College Hoops series is a defunct series that sports gamers have been missing since the legendary College Hoops 2K8. With all of the improvements to NBA 2K since CH 2K8’s release in 2007, fans can only envision what the team at 2K could do with the series now. What if 2K was releasing College Hoops 2K12? Here’s what the OS review might look like.

One Shining Moment Mode


The biggest addition to College Hoops 2K12 is the One Shining Moment mode in which gamers can reenact some of the greatest games in NCAA history. As added bonus, 2K was able to add the real likenesses of the heroes of March Madness’ past (as long as they've left the university), along with their signature shots. By winning these games, you unlock the teams for use in exhibition games and Season mode (you aren’t able to use the all-time teams in Legacy mode). Here’s a list of the 16 games in One Shining Moment:

1966 Texas Western v. Kentucky – “Glory Road”
1974 N.C. State v. UCLA – "End of an Era"
1976 Indiana v. Michigan – "Undefeated"
1979 Michigan State v. Indiana State – "Birth of a Rivalry"
1982 North Carolina v. Georgetown – "His Airness"
1983 N.C. State v. Houston – "Jimmy V."
1985 Villanova v. Georgetown – "The Underdog"
1987 Indiana v. Syracuse – "Knight's Last Dance"
1988 Kansas v. Oklahoma – "Danny and the Miracles"
1989 Michigan v. Seton Hall – "Rice Reaches New Heights"
1990 Loyola Marymount v. UNLV – "Cinderella Falls"
1992 Duke v. Kentucky – "The Shot"
1993 North Carolina v. Michigan – "The Timeout"
2003 Syracuse v. Kansas – "Melo: The Freshman Phenom"
2006 George Mason v. Connecticut – "Start of the Mid-Major"
2010 Duke v. Butler – "David vs. Goliath"

One Shining Moment gives players the option to play with rules in effect at the time (no 3-point shot, longer shot clock, etc.) or play the game with today’s rules. However, in order to unlock the teams you need to play with era-appropriate rules. The commentary of Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg also shines in this mode, as their conversations revolves around the impact of the game and what the participants would go on to achieve later in their careers.

One Shining Moment is definitely the highlight of College Hoops 2K12. The likenesses of the players and the superb commentary really immerse the player in the mode. The ability to change the rules adds to the lasting appeal of the mode e.g., Bird’s Sycamores possibly could have beaten Magic’s Spartans if Larry had the 3-pointer in his arsenal. Much like NBA 2K12’s Greatest, One Shining Moment adds an exciting dimension to the college hoops basketball scene.

My Athlete

My Athlete is the equivalent of NBA 2K12’s My Player mode, a mode that was not available in College Hoops 2K8. You create a high school player who participates in a season of the Amateur Basketball League. Based on your performance in that league and in interviews with coaches who come to visit you, you’ll get scholarship offers from different schools. If you’re good enough, you’ll be invited to participate in the McDonald’s All-American game.

Once on campus, you perform drills in order to improve your player and you can earn additional points through meeting certain in-game goals for both your player and your team. Reach a certain level at the end of one of your seasons (the earlier in your career, the higher the threshold), and you can declare yourself for the draft. From there, you can transfer your athlete to the “My Player” mode in NBA 2K12.

The My Athlete mode adds a different element to the game and can be quite a challenge, especially if you are trying to go pro early. The thresholds needed to reach the NBA are quite high, so you’ll need to put in a lot of work to reach them. This adds to the length of the mode since it would be fairly short if you were able to declare for the draft after only one college season every time. My Athlete doesn’t offer the same extracurricular activities like My Player’s endorsements, free agency, etc., but the mode still provides enough fun and challenge for the gamer who dreams of being a star in the Big Dance.

Online Legacy

One of College Hoops 2K8’s most revered modes was the Legacy mode, which offered unparalleled depth for recruiting. College Hoops 2K12 takes that mode one step further by bringing it online. You can compete with up to 12 others in an online legacy. Unfortunately, you are no longer able to play the ABL games like in CH 2K8. However, much like the Online Dynasty in the NCAA series, you can do your recruiting away from your 360 or PS3, via 2K Sports Online Legacy website. This mode is great if your wife has your gaming TV occupied with an episode of Toddler and Tiaras or if you’re killing time at work because you can hop onto the site and scout your recruits and steal away your opponents’.

Online Legacy has one major drawback in that you are only able to play as schools from one conference, which makes it difficult for those who don’t get the marquee programs in the conference and get left out of the fun of March Madness (Hello, Big East!). 

Online Legacy allows players to use custom rosters as long as every player is using the same set, so your rosters can be filled with real names if your league agrees to them. Fans of the Legacy mode from College Hoops' past will enjoy the ability to compete with their friends to see who can build the best program without the help of shady boosters.

Gameplay

Post-patch College Hoops 2K8 offered some of the most realistic gameplay around, and 2K12 hasn’t messed with that formula. The improvements in gameplay from College Hoops 2K8 to 2K12 are very similar to what improvements players saw in the NBA 2K series. The floor spacing is much better and the new play calling system is much more intuitive and effective. Plenty of new animations have been added, especially shot animations. The game includes all of the sliders that helped make its predecessor such a fan favorite because they allow gamers to tailor the gameplay to their liking.

Presentation

The graphics in 2K12 have taken a huge step up in four years. The detail in every school’s uniform is outstanding, whereas in 2K8 one might have a tough time discerning Michigan State from Cleveland State, other than the word “Michigan.” The graphics for the crowd and surrounding environment, including cheer teams and mascots, have also taken a huge step up.

As I mentioned earlier, the commentary from Nantz and Kellogg is much deeper in One Shining Moment mode, but it is still impressive in other modes, despite the fact that they can’t comment on individual players. The overall presentation is also strengthened with the weekly “Around the NCAA” show in which Greg Gumbel and Seth Davis break down the week’s action. The show includes highlights from the top performers and games of the week and culminates in a “Selection Sunday” show in which the teams making the NCAA tournament are revealed. I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s pretty cool when your team’s name is called.

Final Thoughts

College Hoops 2K12 is the game that college hoop fans have been waiting for since the last edition four years ago. The One Shining Moment mode will appeal to both diehard and casual fans who want to reenact some of their favorite match ups and then see how today’s teams would hold up against these all-time greats. Both the online and offline Legacy modes are very deep and give College Hoops 2K12 plenty of lasting appeal. It’s been a long wait since the last edition of the College Hoops series, but all sports gaming fans should be happy that the series has returned. 

College Hoops 2K12 is a must-own for basketball gamers.


Member Comments
# 101 R1zzo23 @ 11/20/11 11:39 AM
If they could just use the NBA 2k11/12 gameplay and the same set up in legacy mode as CH2k8 with some recruiting tweaks, the game would never leave my 360.
 
# 102 jr86 @ 11/20/11 12:07 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkharsh33;2043099368[B
]I wish 2K8 resembled NBA 2K11 with regard to fluid player movements and floor spacing. Players are a bit "stiff" in their movements, and the shooting animations get a bit stale after time[/b]. A great game, and it's a shame there is no updated college hoops option to play. Maybe with the NBA lockout there would be a renewed interest in a college basketball video game, but with a lack of star power (as there was years ago) I don't think the game could market itself well enough. There were more stars in the Big East Conference alone (for example) in the 1980's than the ENTIRE NCAA has today...
This is the exact reason that when college season rolls around NBA 2k gets shelved. I know if i went back to playing that, this is when Choops sore points begin to shine.
But if you just play Choops then you have nothing to compare it to so it does not look nearly as bad.
Amazing how you can trick the mind if you try(well mine anyway!)......lol
 
# 103 Jukeman @ 11/20/11 03:28 PM
How do we get them to lower the license?


Sent from my HumancentiPad using Tapatalk
 
# 104 SkillzKillz719 @ 11/20/11 04:53 PM
This is just mean... lol
 
# 105 boomhauertjs @ 11/20/11 06:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioBobcats
Whoever put together the "One Shining Moment" games did a terrible job. I could think of a better list in a minute.
I'd be curious to see your list.
 
# 106 OhioBobcats @ 11/20/11 08:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomhauertjs
I'd be curious to see your list.

Sure thing. Shouldn't have to explain these games. If you don't know, look them up.

1957 Kentucky vs. Kansas
1966 Texas Western vs. Kentucky
1968 Houston vs. UCLA (which is an absolute must by the way)
1974 Notre Dame vs. UCLA
1974 NC State vs. Maryland
1976 Indiana vs. Michigan
1979 Michigan State vs. Indiana State
1982 North Carolina vs. Georgetown
1983 N.C. State vs. Houston
1985 Villanova vs. Georgetown
1989 Michigan vs. Seton Hall
1991 Duke vs. UNLV
1992 Duke vs. Kentucky
1993 North Carolina v. Michigan
1997 Arizona vs. Kentucky
2008 Kansas vs. Memphis


Bonus teams (great teams with no real standout game): 1955 San Francisco, 1960 Ohio State, 1972 UCLA, 1996 Kentucky, 2007 Florida and 2009 North Carolina
 
# 107 ZoneBlitz @ 11/20/11 08:46 PM
I want this game back so bad. I will play any college game. Was the last one from EA any good?
 
# 108 VandyRedskins21 @ 11/20/11 09:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by GiantYankee
Do those rosters have the uniform glitch?
I'm honestly not sure I haven't really been on my 360 too much lately to really go too far in depth in them.
 
# 109 UMhester04 @ 11/20/11 11:10 PM
What are the chances that 2k brings college hoops back if the nba stays with their lockout?
 
# 110 Jakeness23 @ 11/21/11 02:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhioBobcats
Sure thing. Shouldn't have to explain these games. If you don't know, look them up.

1957 Kentucky vs. Kansas
1966 Texas Western vs. Kentucky
1968 Houston vs. UCLA (which is an absolute must by the way)
1974 Notre Dame vs. UCLA
1974 NC State vs. Maryland
1976 Indiana vs. Michigan
1979 Michigan State vs. Indiana State
1982 North Carolina vs. Georgetown
1983 N.C. State vs. Houston
1985 Villanova vs. Georgetown
1989 Michigan vs. Seton Hall
1991 Duke vs. UNLV
1992 Duke vs. Kentucky
1993 North Carolina v. Michigan
1997 Arizona vs. Kentucky
2008 Kansas vs. Memphis


Bonus teams (great teams with no real standout game): 1955 San Francisco, 1960 Ohio State, 1972 UCLA, 1996 Kentucky, 2007 Florida and 2009 North Carolina
Why not for '57 have the Tar Heels play the Jayhawks in the National Championship? UNC were huge underdogs in that game. (Think that's the right year)
 
# 111 Galarius @ 11/21/11 03:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by khaliib
Yeah, EA has had the rights for how long now and has done nothing with it.

This more proof that they got the license only to prevent 2k from retiring their tired, same-ol same-ol release.

The one thing good about the current financial state, just like California, developers like 2k that have been locked up with exclusive licensing, are soon to be released.

The day is approaching and I can't wait for another developer to bring us some College B-Ball.

I wish 2k12's create-a-team was more fleshed out, to the point that we could create college team logos to get a glimps of how it would look.

I say patch the create-a-team to be more customizable (as far as logo/court/uniforms)
i think you might be mistaken...i think with C-Hoops both 2k and EA can get if they want it...the catch?i think the NCAA wants too much dough, and unfortunately sales were too low to pay what they wanted
 
# 112 Galarius @ 11/21/11 03:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TracerBullet
What are you two talking about? EA never bought the CBB license. 2K deemed that it wasn't profitable enough and dropped out and EA happened to renew. Now neither of them find the license profitable, plus the lawsuits about players also impact their thoughts on whether or not to bring either series back. There was no EA vs 2K battle here, just a lack of demand honestly.
yes, correct
 
# 113 Galarius @ 11/21/11 03:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rated Type R
Exactly. EA has exclusive rights to NCAA Football- not basketball. 2K has constantly addressed this issue to the media; the NCAA licensing fees are too damn high, making the production of a NCAA Basketball game not worth the hassle or profit. 2K explained this to the NCAA but they weren't trying to hear it. So College Hoops got canned. =(:::::: I used to play College Hoops 2K7 way more than NBA2K7, and they were both great games.
don't EA lose exclusive rights after BCS championship this year?
 
# 114 OhioBobcats @ 11/21/11 07:44 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakeness23
Why not for '57 have the Tar Heels play the Jayhawks in the National Championship? UNC were huge underdogs in that game. (Think that's the right year)
Don't know why I said Kentucky. I don't even know if they played Kansas that year. Meant the championship game.
 
# 115 spottieottiedop @ 11/21/11 07:45 PM
Coach K College Basketball on the Genesis the greatest basketball game of all time
 
# 116 BiloxiSmitty @ 11/21/11 09:36 PM
College Hoops 2K12, what's next FIFA 2K12? Come to think of it.....
 
# 117 Pitfighter87 @ 11/22/11 05:09 AM
Dude i dam near fainted when i seen this pop up.Man what i wouldnt give for a new CH2k game right now.2k12 hasnt seen my xbox in weeks but CH2k8 is in heavy rotation and it always is everytime around this year.It has the best sports dynasty mode of any game period and i could only imagine what a new game would be like with updated graphics and such.Dam it man im depressed now.......
 
# 118 Suntan Superman @ 11/22/11 08:23 AM
Much like everyone else, I died of a heart attack and was the resuciatated after reading the word "mock"
 
# 119 theenemy @ 11/22/11 02:51 PM
"OMG", "How can I not know about this?", "OMG", "wait! what?", "It can't be real", "F!, it's not real", "not cool, they shouldn't do this" , "what if someone got a heart attack?", "bla bla bla" ... things that went through my head ...

maybe it's a good thing they don't do the 2k12 version, I played ch2k8 last week, it's amazing how passing went backwards since 2008. Can you imagine passing around the perimeter, trying to find a gap in the zone to shoot but the ball moves slower than the smoke off a fresh cow patty in January.
 
# 120 barrons01 @ 11/22/11 02:53 PM
how do you contact 2ksports to try and get them to make a game
 


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