NCAA March Madness 09 News Post

NCAA Basketball 09 Review

01:00 AM - November 18, 2008 by RaychelSnr

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.

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Game: NCAA Basketball 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 29 - View All

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Member Comments

# 1 DustinT @ 11/18/08 01:13 AM

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.

# 2 Ty @ 11/18/08 01:26 AM

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

# 3 Behindshadows @ 11/18/08 02:17 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.

# 4 HMcCoy @ 11/18/08 03:20 AM

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

# 5 tabulaRasa @ 11/18/08 04:31 AM

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

# 6 bears5122 @ 11/18/08 04:40 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.

# 7 biglami @ 11/18/08 04:56 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.

# 8 HechticSooner @ 11/18/08 07:21 AM

yes the game in not going to be and end dev sequence, but as long as most are close I am fine with with. I am look forward playing an a team have to be bobble teams league. It would work. well no major power schools and just talk about who is the best at the game

# 9 countryboy @ 11/18/08 08:43 AM

great review and good read. I am going to pick this up and honestly was going to do so regardless, since I liked the demo, but its nice to finally read a review for this game that actually tells you about the game.

Great job Chris!

# 10 NoleFan @ 11/18/08 08:54 AM

Great read! I'll be picking this up after work.

# 11 countryboy @ 11/18/08 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbrandon


	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.

I'll ask again, have you played the game?

# 12 crques @ 11/18/08 09:36 AM

Funny Chris mentioned St. Mary's with South Dakota St. and Wofford. St. Mary's is a Top 25 team and made the tournament last year. They certainly aren't one of the top programs in the country, but they aren't a lower tier Division I school either.

Anyway, the review was still pretty good and seemed real. It was a whole lot better than the IGN review.

# 13 ehh @ 11/18/08 09:46 AM

Very good review. Seemed honest, realistic and unbias. The game isn't perfect but it's an improvement and a step in the right direction.

By far the best review we've seen on the Net so far, no shocker though.

# 14 sportznut02 @ 11/18/08 10:09 AM

Good read, still on the fence about this one my biggest complaint from reading your review would be the atmosphere. I`ll probably eitehr go rent this or just get it from EB games and take it back if i dont like it

# 15 funky_chicken @ 11/18/08 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HechticSooner


	yes the game in not going to be and end dev sequence, but as long as most are close I am fine with with. I am look forward playing an a team have to be bobble teams league. It would work. well no major power schools and just talk about who is the best at the game

Can I get a translator? I have no idea what this guy said.

# 16 ehh @ 11/18/08 10:36 AM

Annengeorge reincarnated?

# 17 fishepa @ 11/18/08 11:06 AM

Great review, I'll be picking it up today.

# 18 Skyboxer @ 11/18/08 11:11 AM

Learned more about the game in that review than all the others combined. Nice job!
Hopefully will be picking it up today after work. As long as the game is fun and enjoyable I can manage. We'll see how EA improves upon it next year and for now I'll support them.

Again, very nice write up.

# 19 sportznut02 @ 11/18/08 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funky_chicken


	Can I get a translator? I have no idea what this guy said.

lol what in the heck was the dude trying to say?

# 20 Scott @ 11/18/08 11:15 AM

Nice review...may have to pick this one up.

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