Xbox

NCAA Football 07

We could ramble on about other improvements -- in fact, we will. The Heisman difficulty level seems really balanced for the first time in years. The running game is great, with grind-it-out yardage available inside and game-breaking moves to be had outside. User picks and user catching is enjoyable and spot-on controlwise, offering those with stick skills a true advantage. The only thing missing, in fact, seems to be a tailgate, a grill, and some food and beverages. Those without the next-gen need not worry. NCAA Football 07 for the Xbox is an ESPN/EA instant classic.

What makes NCAA Football 07 so incredible is a single world: immersion. From the in game cheering to your campus legend's dorm room, you will be drawn into an atmosphere that's been missing from previous years' NCAAs or any other game of this variety. NCAA 07 not only improves on its predecessors but its big brother and every game before it. Any football fan owes it to himself to give this game a spin, as should anyone who wants to become initiated in one of the greatest sports video game franchises. Generally, I play NCAA until I make a quick option to Madden for the rest of year. This year however, I think I may hang on to the ball for quite some time, making the long break down the field until next season.

With so many amazingly awesome features and the gold standard of college football gameplay, NCAA Football 07 is without doubt the ultimate college football game for the college football fan (even for a Temple University football “fan”). Online play, new features, and completely perfect gameplay once again show everybody why NCAA Football 07 is always considered one of the best sports video games year in and year out.

NCAA Football 2007 is more than a simple upgrade of last year’s entry. Much the game, from the AI to the playbooks, has been revamped completely, and the new features and campus legend mode are a lot of fun. College football fans owe it to themselves to check this one out.

It seems like EA Sports is going to keep on chuggin’ when it comes to their NCAA Football series. Time and time again we see them make improvements to the series, and this one proves that they’ve mastered development of this series. Unlike most developers, when EA decides to make changes in their games, they also keep the “favorite” modes in there. From just plain old quick play to the hilarious Mascot mode, everything is in NCAA Football 07. It’ll be hard to think of where EA should start with next year’s game, but here’s to hoping it’s in revamping the franchise mode once again. But in the end, is NCAA Football 07 worth your time? It definitely is, no matter what version of the game you choose. The console versions of the game will keep you busy until next year, or at least until Madden NFL 07 comes out; the Xbox 360 version stands tall among other collegiate sports games on the console; and the PSP version is the perfect way to showcase your school pride on the go.

NCAA Football 07 for Xbox may not look as good as the Xbox 360 version, but it is by far more full-featured. There are tons of modes in the game promising countless of gameplay. The atmosphere and enthusiasm that the game portrays are amazing, second only to the Xbox 360 version.

It’s the new modes and small details that NCAA 07 packs into an Xbox disc that really put it over the top. Campus Legend is a fun distracter from the typical dynasty mode, and the new touches that they’ve added to the package like the new spring activities flesh it all out nicely. Put this feature set on the Xbox 360 version and then watch the series really take off into the next-generation.

There simply is no way to underestimate the passion fans have for the game of college football. By once again capturing that electric atmosphere in NCAA 07, and combining it with an ever-evolving set of control tweaks and gameplay modes, EA Sports has created a game that no fan of football video games--be they college or pro--will want to be without.

NCAA Football 07 manages to capture the back and forth emotional tide of the college experience quite well with this year's inclusion of the momentum mechanic. True, it may turn teams into superhuman squads on both sides of the ball when they're fully pumped up, but the feeling that the game can swing on just about any play is a welcome addition for any player that wants to feel like Captain Comeback. Tie in the additional changes made for both offense and defense, as well as the trick plays and playbooks and you're looking at a great football title for NCAA fans.

When making a decision on the Xbox 360 version of NCAA 07, it really boils down to whether you can stomach losing out on single-player depth in favor of improved visuals and stadium experience. On its own merit, this title provides near-perfect football gameplay with a decent dynasty mode. But when stacked next to the Xbox and PS2, its hard to justify the extra ten dollar price tag for a less extensive overall experience.

Never played EA's awesome NCAA Football game before? Welcome back to Earth! How was your stay aboard the mothership? You have played NCAA Football before? Then rent before buying.

And apparently, the same goes for EA. Over the past six years they’ve released six great college football games for current-gen systems, and that tradition doesn’t end here. With the enhanced Campus Legend content, realistic momentum system, excellent “Get the Jump” mechanic and the tried-and-true core gameplay, this is another championship season from the official alma mater of college football games. Go team.

Despite any grandiose new features, NCAA 07 is a smashing success. Yes, it's a glorified patch for last year's game – but it plays such a better game of football that the lack of new snazzy features should not stop fans from grabbing a copy. This is the best that the series has been since the 2004 version and shows that the franchise is finally back on the right track.

It's not all that other stuff the back of the box will tell you. Forget the Momentum System that adds clock-ticking tension to big plays, the intensive spring training and drill-running, and the ESPN license actually put to good use. It's the ability to live the life of a student athlete—balancing parties, homework, and practice—that demands expansion. Imagine: a playbook of beer bong strategies.

This presents an interesting dilemma. You have a choice of either settling for a less attractive game on an older system, or paying more for a title that's lacking in features, but has awesome graphics. This bizarre move by EA marred what would've been a perfectly good entry in the series. Hopefully they'll give us a complete experience across the board next year, rather than holding things back.

Is this worth upgrading over an earlier version? Probably not, and it is better worth a rental. But parroting what I said in the Madden review, regardless of what I might say there are people who are going to buy every release of this game each and every year regardless of the additions.

As much as I hate scoring these reviews, I’m going to save you some posts and nasty emails. I would give NCAA 2007 a perfect 10/10 based on the gameplay and the amount of fun I had with it. However, I’m knocking a point off for the lack of ESPN integration, the status quo on online play, and for not adding to the pre-game intros.