Aside from actually being a member of a college football team, I cannot think of a better way to experience the sport than by playing NCAA Football 09. EA Sports have released the game to a number of consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, Wii, and PS2), and it is my honest opinion that the PS3 version is by far the best version of the game. This is due to the fact that the PS3 version has realism to it that simily cannot be matched, and whether it is through the numerous amount of tackling and running animations that are present or through the sheer personalizability of the game.
The fact that the control of a character is done through the use of the analog stick will ensure that the quickest individuals will break the biggest runs and have the most breaks for touchdowns of all their friends. However, what may be the most interesting addition to NCAA Football 2009 would have to be the home field advantage that players will have. In this mode, the increasing crowd noise will ensure that the away team’s quarterback is shaky, meaning that routes are unsure and even the individual that the QB will ultimately throw to is up in the air. Of course, individuals can insert the tracks that they want to hear with the custom music option, but another fun distraction has to be the ability to choose which specific celebration dance that the mascot does.
Furthermore, there is a mini-game present that brings a little bit of arcade fighting (or You Got Served) to NCAA Football, which may even be preferred at point to the actual in-game play. For fans of a specific college football team, such as the Ohio State University Buckeyes or the USC Trojans, there is a dynasty opinion available to up to twelve players that allows season after season to pass, teams to be built up, and schedules to be made that will make players feel as if they are the athletic director of their favorite team. With such solid graphics and game play, I cannot image how EA Sports would be able to top themselves with the next iteration of NCAA Football: what I do know is that players will have enough in the way of distractions and replay value to the game that the next iteration of the title will be out before they are bored in the slightest.
Rating: 9.3/10
NCAA Football 09 (PS3) / 2008 EA / http://www.ncaafootball09.com / http://www.easports.com /