NCAA 07 March Madness (PlayStation 2)

NCAA 07 MARCH MADNESS offers more than 200 teams from which to choose, and many play in great-looking versions of their real arenas on the Xbox 360. 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.

March Madness 07 innovates on the defensive side of the 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 or intimidating the opposing team.

Casual fans of the college game will find a lot to like, but players with a lot of sports game experience may notice some skimpiness in the modes of play. The presentation is, for the most part, amazing. Not only do the players and arenas look good, but the game boasts many details such as celebration animations after big scores and the reflection of the cheerleaders in the polished wood floors. There is some in-game advertising and overbearing announcers, but more often than not, the game is beautiful.

Unfortunately, the same level of TLC wasn't 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 by the computer-controlled teammates and overactive foul detection that makes steals and blocks very difficult to pull off. Team practice might help, but there is no practice mode. The game's online support includes play against human opponents and a link to ESPN's scores and talk.