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.

Read More: NCAA Basketball 09 Review

NCAA Basketball 09 screenshot gallery - Click to view

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

NCAA Basketball 09 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 asu666 @ 11/18/08 11:36 AM

I didn't expect much from EA's basketball games this year and even though they went from being bad to meh, it looks like most of us are doing the wait till next year again.

# 22 yamabushi @ 11/18/08 01:25 PM

As a big Legacy player, I read nothing that would sway me away from last years CHoops game.

# 23 VTPack919 @ 11/18/08 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sportznut02


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

Hahahahhaha, that was one of the few posts on operationsports that I couldn't decipher.

crazy stuff.

# 24 Fluffhead @ 11/18/08 02:26 PM

I haven't been paying attention to this game at all so forgive me if this has been asked, but when did nut hugger shorts make a comeback? Just looking at a few of the screens and it feels like I'm back in the 80s. I'd probably be interested in this game at a $30 price point.

# 25 RaychelSnr @ 11/18/08 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffhead


	I haven't been paying attention to this game at all so forgive me if this has been asked, but when did nut hugger shorts make a comeback? Just looking at a few of the screens and it feels like I'm back in the 80s. I'd probably be interested in this game at a $30 price point.

Those screens are from the classic teams tournament in the game, it seems as if 70% of our screens were from that feature.

As I said in one caption, I pray we never see the return of said shorts.

# 26 jtarolli9 @ 11/18/08 04:34 PM

Good read, I have picked up the game, but haven't had a chance to play it yet. I plan on playing it tonight after I get home from the Cuse game.

# 27 RaychelSnr @ 11/18/08 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave374


	You were wrong about NBA Live 09 and my guess is the same for NCAA 09. Why do I get the impression half the reviewers of these games have the scores set before they even touch the game? Sorry Chris ... but I just think you're dead wrong about both these basketball games this year.

I would say that 90-95% of gamers think the exact opposite...very doubtful a game is a great game if most people don't think so.

# 28 ChaseB @ 11/18/08 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMChrisS


	I would say that 90-95% of gamers think the exact opposite...very doubtful a game is a great game if most people don't think so.

To be great is to be misunderstood.

--Emerson.

Come on Chris, you need to brush up on your transcendentalism philosophy.

# 29 RainZ @ 11/18/08 07:22 PM

Great review Chris, spot on the money with what I've been feeling about this one. The game to me has an almost token kind of feel about it and while better than their previous efforts, it just makes me wish there was a 2K version even more..I guess we will see what happens in years to come, but either way I guess this is an improvement for EA.

# 30 jfsolo @ 11/18/08 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	To be great is to be misunderstood. --Emerson. Come on Chris, you need to brush up on your transcendentalism philosophy.

Ballgame. Anyone who quotes Emerson owns the thread.

# 31 RaychelSnr @ 11/18/08 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfsolo


	Ballgame. Anyone who quotes Emerson owns the thread.

'Tis true...touche sir Chase....ballgame

# 32 aukevin @ 11/18/08 07:36 PM

Thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on this game at Christmas.

OS reviewers, you guys should really look into start doing video reviews. I'm not saying I'm too lazy for reading LOL, I just think it would take OS to a higher level.

# 33 ChaseB @ 11/18/08 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aukevin


	Thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on this game at Christmas. OS reviewers, you guys should really look into start doing video reviews. I'm not saying I'm too lazy for reading LOL, I just think it would take OS to a higher level.

You passing out the cash?

# 34 ChaseB @ 11/18/08 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfsolo


	Ballgame. Anyone who quotes Emerson owns the thread.

Thoreau > Emerson, for the record.

# 35 Jonny Toe @ 11/19/08 08:19 AM

An interesting review...I'll be doing more research on Google before I go for this.... Such reviews are also available on

http://www.sportsviews.com/index.php

# 36 aukevin @ 11/19/08 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseB


	You passing out the cash?

No, but I'm not the one running the website either. Instead of making my comments towards "OS reviewers" I guess I should have made the comment more towards Steve.

It would be nice to see some of the flaws and improvements in the game through a video review, sometimes you just can't visualize or get the severity of them by reading a review.

# 37 RaychelSnr @ 11/19/08 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aukevin


	No, but I'm not the one running the website either. Instead of making my comments towards "OS reviewers" I guess I should have made the comment more towards Steve. It would be nice to see some of the flaws and improvements in the game through a video review, sometimes you just can't visualize or get the severity of them by reading a review.

Trust me man...if we had the cash, the studio, the time, and the editing equipment we'd be all over it. It's something we really want to do, but something we really want to do well also. So yes, they're coming but not in the short term unfortunately.

Oh and as for the idiots spamming OS right now..a little helpful advice, if you have to spam a message board to get new members, your site sucks. That is all......

# 38 ChaseB @ 11/19/08 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMChrisS


	Trust me man...if we had the cash, the studio, the time, and the editing equipment we'd be all over it. It's something we really want to do, but something we really want to do well also. So yes, they're coming but not in the short term unfortunately. Oh and as for the idiots spamming OS right now..a little helpful advice, if you have to spam a message board to get new members, your site sucks. That is all......

Whoa whoa whoa. Let's not forget at one point Steve was a spammer too. Humble beginnings my friend.

# 39 Eton Rifles @ 11/20/08 09:39 AM

ohh baby, those are some short shorts there.

# 40 Jonny Toe @ 11/21/08 03:30 AM

A superb review..I'll buy it most probably in a day or two......Looks good in the first attempt

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