NCAA 07 March Madness - E

Join in the excitement of college b-ball games.

Publisher: EA Sports Category/Genre: Video Games - Sports Platform: PlayStation 2 Price: $59.99 Online Enabled: Yes Graphics: High. Great graphics from sweat on players to rafters in the arenas. Playability: Medium. Controls relatively easy, but the AI can be frustrating. Reading Level: Light Release Date: 01/18/2007 ESRB Rating: E

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this basketball game features scores of college teams from around the country in realistic action. Players will be exposed to some in-game ads, and examples of unsportsmanlike behavior in excessive celebration upon scoring, taunting of other teams, and delivering rough fouls. However, the game really focuses on the on-court play. While the difficulty levels are adjustable, some of the controls, menus, and modes are probably too complex for young players. Parents should also note that kids can take their game online (Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for anyone under 12 years old) and be exposed to plenty of trash-talking. In addition to online play, the game offers multiplayer modes on the same system. This is a review of the XBox 360 version, but a PS2 version exists as well.

Families can talk about the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship. What kinds of plays do you find appealing: showy breakaways and dunks or coordinated efforts involving the whole squad? Since this game is set in college, families can discuss the role of athletics in school. For online play, parents may also wish to discuss trash-talking, proper sportsmanship, and etiquette for video games.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Chris Jozefowicz

EA Sports' March Madness college hoops franchise comes to the Xbox 360 for the first time with NCAA 07 MARCH MADNESS. Casual fans of the college game will find a lot to like: fun play, beautiful presentation, and heaps of rah-rah spirit. But players with a lot of sports game experience may notice some skimpiness in the modes of play.

March Madness 07 offers more than 200 teams from which to choose, and many play in great-looking versions of their real arenas. Once players select their favorite school, they can play a quick game, a tournament, or a dynasty mode. In the dynasty option, players manage the minutiae of a college program (schedule, recruiting, etc.), and can either play the games in their schedule or simulate them over multiple seasons.

The heart of the game, of course, is out on the court, where March Madness 07 provides plenty of exciting play. On top of the usual play-calling, passing, shooting, and dunking, March Madness 07 innovates on the defensive side of the ball game with a mechanic called the "lockdown stick." Players can use one of the thumbsticks to counter the motion of an opponent ball-carrier, which can fence opponents in and lead to steals. Another new feature is a game-intensity control: If players get enough steals, breakaways, or other hot plays, they can capitalize on that momentum and change the dynamics of the play by pumping up the crowd (motioning to the crowd) or intimidating the opposing team (getting in the face of opponents, fist-pumping, etc).

When the crowd really gets going, March Madness 07 does an excellent job of capturing the thrill of college basketball. The presentation is, for the most part, amazing. Not only do the players and arenas look good, but the game also boasts many excellent details, such as celebration animations after big scores or the reflection of the cheerleaders in the polished wood floors. There are a few real-life negatives like in-game advertising and overbearing announcers, but more often than not, the game is beautiful.

Unfortunately, the same level of TLC that went into the look of the game wasn't completely carried through to the gameplay. While the controls are relatively easy to pick up, some of the on-court action feels sloppy, including less than intelligent play in the computer-controlled teammates and over-active foul detection which makes steals and blocks very difficult to pull off without hearing the ref's whistle. Team practice might help players figure out such nuances, but March Madness 07 lacks a practice mode that gamers might expect from playing other sports titles.

Overall, March Madness 07 has a lot of decent play to offer and does a good job of capturing the feel of college basketball at tournament time. The game's online support includes play against human opponents and a link to ESPN's scores and talk. It may be window-dressing, but it helps tie the virtual world of the game to the real world of college basketball.

Players interested in a similar style of simulation basketball at the pro level may wish to check out NBA Live '07. Younger players and those interested in more arcade-style play should check out Mario Hoops 3-on-3 for the Nintendo DS.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence Players can deliver some hard fouls in the form of pushes, but it seems generally less aggressive than the real game.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior Showcases excessive celebration after scoring and taunting of other teams, which would warrant unsportsmanlike fouls in a real game.
	Commercialism A few in-game ads for companies like Champs and State Farm Insurance. ESPN also has a strong presence. And, the whole game is a promotion for the college basketball business.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value Players can learn the game and create their own plays. Playing as the coach in dynasty mode requires lots of planning and strategy.