Alright boyz, here we go!!! NCAA 2006 First impressions

[ahbrady]

Before I start with my impressions let me say that I am not the greatest console gamer. I have played about 8 games so far with a few on varsity level and a few on all-american. I haven't messed with the sliders at all.

The dropped passes seem to be way down from last year. There are still some, but it doesn't seem to be unrealistic. I don't have specific stats from any of my games, but the only computer QB that was under 50% completion was when I played against Southwest Missouri State. My completion percentage has been under 50% a couple of times, but they were with a QB that is much better at scrambling, and much of it may be due to my lack of skill.

I read somewhere on here that there was a video of a 40 yard strike thrown by a QB while being tackled. I haven't seen anything like that. There have been a couple of long bombs that were completed, but nothing like that at all. I haven't seen anything so far that seemed too out of whack as far as big plays.

The computer running game seems much improved from any of the previous versions. The computer has rushed for several long runs against me, and I have broken away for a few as well.

I haven't done much in my dynasty, but I think I'm going to like the in-season recruiting. There is plenty of information to consider, but it isn't overwhelming in the slightest. I haven't gotten through a year yet, so I don't know anything about the offseason.

So far, I am very pleased with the game. It is miles ahead of 2006, and up to this point I like it more than any previous version. This is just after a handful of games, however, so I'm trying to be cautious in my optimism.

[jbmagic]

are running backs breaking big gains over 20 yards a lot in NCAA 2006? i hope not too much.

[CraigSca]

There oughta be a law that a guy who's really not into console games shouldn't be allowed to get an early copy of 2006. Just kidding - thanks for the update, ahbrady!

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Are the DBs on Steroids?

[CraigSca]

Ahbrady - are you on XBOX or PS2?

[sabotai]

If 1) The dropped passes are down (you say they are, yeah!), 2) The Computer QB can complete50% and higher of his passes most of the time (I played games in NCAA 2005 where the QB would be 4/22 or 3/25. No joke) and 3) The Comp. teams can run the ball (Never had the Comp. team run more than 100 yards or break a 20+ yard run on me last year) and 4) The XBox slowdown is gone, then I will seriously consider getting this one.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I sure hope I don't have to evacuate from Hurricane Dennis, because I'm ready to be in line on Monday night so I can get my copy at midnight Tuesday morning! I'll also be dead at work on Tuesday because I'll have been up half the night playing.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

I sure hope I don't have to evacuate from Hurricane Dennis, because I'm ready to be in line on Monday night so I can get my copy at midnight Tuesday morning! I'll also be dead at work on Tuesday because I'll have been up half the night playing.

Yep, I can't believe I may have to evacuate due to work related committments Hopefully, we'll be back by Monday night

[Comey]

Sab,

Those all appear to ring true this year for XBox.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Comey

Sab,

Those all appear to ring true this year for XBox.

Yeah, if all of the early impressions can be believed, those things are all true. I hope to be able to confirm that by the end of this week after quite a few games.

[ahbrady]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

There oughta be a law that a guy who's really not into console games shouldn't be allowed to get an early copy of 2006. Just kidding - thanks for the update, ahbrady!

I wouldn't say I'm not really into console games, I'm just not the greatest at them. I like playing console sports games.

I'm playing on Xbox. I haven't noticed a slowdown so far. From what I've seen so far, sabotai, they have fixed the issues that you mentioned from last year's game.

The DB's don't appear to be on steroids. My DB's still seem to be tipping a few too many. It also could be that I just take notice when they do tip passes, because I'm looking for it. Regardless, it is nothing like last year.

I forgot to mention one thing that seems off in my games thus far. My offensive lineman have a lot of pancake blocks. In my last game one of them had 31. This doesn't really bother me as I don't pay too much attention to my OL's stats.

jbmagic, the RB's don't seem to make too many 20+ yard runs. They will break a big one every now and then. The run blocking for the CPU seems to be vastly improved. Either that or my run defense is much worse.

[Eaglesfan27]

31 pancake blocks with one player?

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

31 pancake blocks with one player?

Eric Church would be proud.

[Doug5984]

Ok- I'm not sure if I want to get this for PS2 or Xbox. The past few years I have gotten it for PS2 and have then gotten the rosters pretty quickly. Is it posible to get real rosters for the Xbox version? If so- does anyone know where or how?

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

Ok- I'm not sure if I want to get this for PS2 or Xbox. The past few years I have gotten it for PS2 and have then gotten the rosters pretty quickly. Is it posible to get real rosters for the Xbox version? If so- does anyone know where or how?

Yes, you need an Action Replay for the Xbox or a similar device. Fairdalekings (I think that is his name - you can find info on operationsports or Maddenmania among other sites) has a roster that I think is already out for the xbox. You can download it from his site for free.

[jbmagic]

doesnt a lot of pancake by your Offensive line players cause there ratings to go up?

i hope the pancakes are not too crazy

[jbmagic]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Yes, you need an Action Replay for the Xbox or a similar device. Fairdalekings (I think that is his name - you can find info on operationsports or Maddenmania among other sites) has a roster that I think is already out for the xbox. You can download it from his site for free.

eaglesfan 27

i am thinking of getting the xbox instead of playstation 2

what size memory Action replay for the xbox you recommend?

do i need to get a seperate memory card too for my games i save?

thanks

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

eaglesfan 27

i am thinking of getting the xbox instead of playstation 2

what size memory Action replay for the xbox you recommend?

do i need to get a seperate memory card too for my games i save?

thanks

It comes with a memory card (although some of them are defective, but mine wasn't.) Since the memory card that came with it worked, I never bought any other one and don't know what size to get. Of course, most of my saves are on the hard drive and I only use the card to transfer the file and then wipe it.

[CraigSca]

Originally Posted by Doug5984

Ok- I'm not sure if I want to get this for PS2 or Xbox. The past few years I have gotten it for PS2 and have then gotten the rosters pretty quickly. Is it posible to get real rosters for the Xbox version? If so- does anyone know where or how?

Doug - check the other thread we have here. Someone near the end I posted a site that had XBOX rosters. AS to how to get them into your box, I'm not the guy - I don't have an XBOX.

[Emiliano]

For Xbox rosters go to Fairdale Kings' site.
Basically, you download the rosters on your pc, and then you have to transfer them into a memory card through an Action Replay device. From there, you put the memory card into your Xbox pad and you copy the rosters in the hard disk.

[Emiliano]

He already has the rosters available for download!!!

NCAA 2006 Xbox Rosters

You have to be registered on his site to download.

The guy is great, I'll donate some money to him this year.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by sabotai

If 1) The dropped passes are down (you say they are, yeah!), 2) The Computer QB can complete50% and higher of his passes most of the time (I played games in NCAA 2005 where the QB would be 4/22 or 3/25. No joke) and 3) The Comp. teams can run the ball (Never had the Comp. team run more than 100 yards or break a 20+ yard run on me last year) and 4) The XBox slowdown is gone, then I will seriously consider getting this one.

Agreed, I have been a fairly big critic of this game the last year or two but if changes like this truly have been made, they will likely get my money again.

[Doug5984]

Thanks for the help guys! I have a sharkport- and have never had a problem getting them for the PS2 but I think I'm going to swtich to Xbox this year

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Emiliano

He already has the rosters available for download!!!

NCAA 2006 Xbox Rosters

You have to be registered on his site to download.

The guy is great, I'll donate some money to him this year.

Excellent! I might not bother with Race for the Heisman in that case, or maybe I'll run it parallel to a regular dynasty.

I've never tried his rosters before, but I've heard nothing but good things. I'll probably donate a few bucks too.

[Celeval]

Originally Posted by ahbrady

I forgot to mention one thing that seems off in my games thus far. My offensive lineman have a lot of pancake blocks. In my last game one of them had 31. This doesn't really bother me as I don't pay too much attention to my OL's stats.

Varsity or All-American? How long are the quarters?

I wouldn't be surprised at 31 pancake blocks if you have a dominant lineman at 15 minute quarters on Varsity - figure that's probably 50-60 rushing plays.

[CraigSca]

Celeval, you bring up an interesting point - and one that has really frustrated me on the other boards. When hearing of other people's impressions, they only give the overview, but never the details (it's obviously not on purpose, but annoying just the same).

For instance, the PS2 slow-down issue - some people say it's there, some people say it's the same as last year, others say it makes it unplayable. The issue is - people are playing in different camera views, different PS2s (slim version or older?), different difficulty levels, some online, some in dynasty. People need to understand that the importance is in the details and they help determine whether the info is relevant or not.

[sabotai]

Hmm. Forgot to add one more thing. If 5) The previous 4 are not replaced by 4 or 5 other big issues...

Then it'll be a great game.

[ahbrady]

The 31 pancake blocks were at 6 minute quarters on varsity level. All of my games so far have either been with 6 or 7 minute quarters. It doesn't give a realistic number of plays, but I don't usually have enough time to play a game with much longer quarters. I've been playing with the default camera view.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Aw, damn, I've been trying not to do it, but I think I'm going to spend half of my Saturday going to the stores I visited earlier this week. I know that I'll have the game in 62 hours no matter what, but I can't help it. Besides, I'm really bored anyway. It's either this or the casino (and video game hunting is probably cheaper).

[ahbrady]

I may have jumped the gun a little in saying there were too many pancake blocks. In my last game the most I had was 9, so maybe that game was a fluke. Although I remember having 25 by one guy in another game. I had a few more dropped passes in my last game, but I'm playing with Arkansas State in my dynasty, so that could explain a lot of that.

[jbmagic]

the more you run , the more pancakes the Offensive line players gets.

its a concern if pancakes makes the OL players progress faster in ratings.

[MizzouRah]

Damn, I want this game. No luck today.

Keep the impressions coming!

[jbmagic]

Todd

no kidding. this game is making me plan to get an xbox too. and then i will play Ncaa 2006 on my 50 inch big screen tv with digital surround sound.

i never had a console since i had Sega Genesis and Atari 2600.

[Emiliano]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

Todd

no kidding. this game is making me plan to get an xbox too. and then i will play Ncaa 2005 on my 50 inch big screen tv with digital surround sound.

i never had a console since i had Sega Genesis and Atari 2600.

Get it jb, just get it. College football games are simply the best. I love 'em. I got an Xbox last year only to play the NCAA Football series. Well, I then bought other games, but still... I was in the same situaton as you. Plus, I think the Xbox now is really cheap. How much does it cost in the US?

[Eaglesfan27]

jbmagic, get 2006 not 2005


I swore I wasn't going to stay up until midnight to get it on Monday IF I have to work on Tuesday. As of right now, my contract isn't done and I'm off on Tuesday. However, all of the impressions are making me plan on ways to stay up until midnight and get in at least a game or two even if I have to work Tuesday. Perhaps a good nap when I get home Monday evening..

[jbmagic]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

jbmagic, get 2006 not 2005


I swore I wasn't going to stay up until midnight to get it on Monday IF I have to work on Tuesday. As of right now, my contract isn't done and I'm off on Tuesday. However, all of the impressions are making me plan on ways to stay up until midnight and get in at least a game or two even if I have to work Tuesday. Perhaps a good nap when I get home Monday evening..

yep 2006. fix it above


just brew some coffee and get the game at midnight.

come home and play the game. drink your coffee while playing.

good luck

[Neuqua]

I need to stop clicking on this thread.

This is going to be the first year that I do not get NCAA 2006 on the first day since I have spent all my money on various road trips and adventures in the city this summer and still have yet to get a job.

I can't tell you how tempted I am to just bust out the ol' credit card though.

[Ironhead]

Possible huge dynasty error. People are saying that after simming a year of their dynasty a huge number of the quarterbacks are completing over 70% of their passes and have QB ratings over 200. It seems that Matt Leinart wins the Heisman the first year and always completes 77-79% of his passes. Hopefully this is just a first year problem.

Here is a picture showing that Leinart completed 230 of 293 pictures and won the Heisman: http://sports.ign.com/articles/632/632401p5.html

[MizzouRah]

Hopefully it's just in the RFTH mode and not a normal dynasty?

[Eaglesfan27]

How many QB's are getting that high of a percentage? 70% or higher has been done by QB's before, and Leinart could conceivably go over 70% this year with all of the targets around him.


Edit: Just re-read your post. If it "huge numbers" or even more than 1 or 2 QB's that are passing over 70% each year that is disappointing

[Ironhead]

This is the post I saw over at OS that has me worried:

"so i simulated a dynasty last night to see how a season would progress and......what a disappointment!! the majority of quarterbacks throw for better than 70% completion and about 10 had a quarterback rating of over 200. in fact leinhart threw for 79% and 50 TD's with about a 235 rating. just terrible. none of the crappier quarterbacks threw more interceptions than tds and the yards were through the roof for all of the qbs. all of that really kills it for me...just throw any realism right of of the window EA"

[ahbrady]

I just simulated a season, and there were 37 QB's that had a completion percentage over 70. Six had a QB rating of over 200.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by ahbrady

I just simulated a season, and there were 37 QB's that had a completion percentage over 70. Six had a QB rating of over 200.

Darn

That isn't a game breaker, but that does hurt the realism aspect. I hope this is THE biggest problem with the game. It certainly will make winning the Heisman harder.

[mrsimperless]

If that's the biggest problem then this year's game is going to be sweet!

[rexallllsc]

Originally Posted by Ironhead

This is the post I saw over at OS that has me worried:

"so i simulated a dynasty last night to see how a season would progress and......what a disappointment!! the majority of quarterbacks throw for better than 70% completion and about 10 had a quarterback rating of over 200. in fact leinhart threw for 79% and 50 TD's with about a 235 rating. just terrible. none of the crappier quarterbacks threw more interceptions than tds and the yards were through the roof for all of the qbs. all of that really kills it for me...just throw any realism right of of the window EA"

How are the reviewers missing this? How did beta miss this?

[jbmagic]

for those with the game, are you seeing a lot of KR/PR return for touchdowns?

[ahbrady]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

for those with the game, are you seeing a lot of KR/PR return for touchdowns?

I had two punt returns for touchdowns and another that was close to scoring in my first game. I was worried about that, but I haven't had any since. I haven't seen a kick return for a touchdown yet.

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Darn

That isn't a game breaker, but that does hurt the realism aspect. I hope this is THE biggest problem with the game. It certainly will make winning the Heisman harder.

Game breaker for me. Glad I'll be able to for sure save the money this year.

[jbmagic]

how is the heisman play mode different than dynasty mode?

never own NCAA before.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by jbmagic

how is the heisman play mode different than dynasty mode?

never own NCAA before.

Heisman mode you just play the games,

Dynasty mode you are the coach and have to handle the recruiting and the discipline and stuff.