March Madness 07: Brand-New Year, Same Old Story

More than a year has passed since the world has been graced by Madness - March Madness. It comes to the real sport every spring, but that hasn't guaranteed an annual game release.

Waiting a couple extra months for the season update, NCAA March Madness 07, is as challenging as Ninja Gaiden. It can be painfully difficult at times, but deep down you know you'll survive.

The anticipation ends today with the release of the game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360.

Game Time

March Madness 07's mode list is extensive, though not unfamiliar. The College Classics mode is back and is without sponsorship this time around (it was once called the "Pontiac" College Classics mode). Its contents are still the same: choose a game from a significant point in time - let's use Indiana vs. Syracuse as an example - pick a side to play on, and enter the game to see if you can live up to the history books. EA is well known for this kind of classic content, just as they are known for their Dynasty modes.

Developers launched the first Dynasty mode with the intent to create a deeper season. Instead of merely going through the motions and playing against every team on tap, the game let you glance over an entire year's schedule. Game dates were accessible at any time. Simulate, a feature that lets the AI decide who wins based on both team's stats, allowed players to bypass the games they didn't want to play. (That feature has since been improved with the semi-interactive simulator in FIFA 07.)

The Dynasty legacy is carried on in March Madness 07. It works just as described, minus the interactive simulator elements, which are currently exclusive to the latest FIFA.

Players also have coaching duties to think about. The school budget must be managed, and there are only 330 points to work with. Points can be applied to recruiting, discipline, and gameplan.

Your specific coaching strategy rests on 10 different categories. They're divided into two parts, the first one having things like fast break, team focus, and full court. Coaching strategy points are shot down the middle, with the other categories placed on the opposite side. They include star focus, half court, man-to-man, etc. By moving the slider left or right, you're adding points to one area while taking them away from another. It's a tough call to make. Which one is most important? Which should be the one that's sacrificed?

As coach you'll also have to assign training time. Shooting, offense and defense are integral, but conditioning - which focuses on speed, stamina, quickness (isn't this the same as speed?), strength, and jumping - is not to be ignored. Training is done automatically. Assign the points and they'll go to work. The next time you'll grab the ball is when you're on the court facing an opponent.

There are also Dynasty points to acquire and cash in. You'll spend those on player ability upgrades like shooting, rebounding, timing, and free throws.

To find out how you've been doing as a coach, check out his report card from the Dynasty menu. You'll get info on job security, fan base, stats, and titles.

More interesting than any of the menu- and number-based gameplay is what happens when you take control as a Sideline General. Instead of playing the game you sit back and watch with a close eye. At any time you can influence the game by calling plays. This can also be done while controlling a player by pressing the D-pad in various directions.

When You're Not Shootin' Hoops...

...Stop by the campus bookstore. Don't be afraid - it's not really a bookstore. The developers just needed a relevant name, and I don't know how well "Nike Shoe Shop" would've gone over in focus testing. But that is what you get - a place to acquire new socks, headbands, shoes (Nike Shox, Air Jordans, etc.) and historic teams / jerseys (including the '98 Utah Utes and '72 Marquette Golden Eagles).

Right next to the bookstore is the Hall of Fame, a place where you can peruse the awards and trophies given to the game's biggest stars. Normally this wouldn't be newsworthy information. Game details can be obtained online at any time. But only in March Madness can you view the Hall of Fame, bookstore, and College Classics via a cool and fast-moving 3D map. The game hops (with a nice, seamless zoom) from area to area, displaying different camera angles to compensate for your inability to physically live in the game world.

March Madness 07 doesn't move mountains with innovation or introduce any must-play elements. It's very much the game it was last year: a good but dated variation of the NBA Live series. There's only so much room for college basketball to differ from the pros, and there's even less room for annual differences on the previous console generation. If PlayStation 2 is the only console in your home and you must own every EA update, March Madness 07 won't be too disappointing. But it definitely won't blow you away.