Game Details
Price
  • $59.99
Available on
Genre
More details

NCAA Football 09 (Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, PlayStation 2)

common sense media says

Solid yet disappointing sequel to football series.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a college football game attempting to authentically replicate the NCAA atmosphere. The game contains a large dose of advertising from companies like Old Spice. It is playable online, a feature Common Sense Media doesn't recommend for kids under age 12.

Educational value: Teaches about how to play football.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Players may encounter foul language online, but nowhere else in the game.
Consumerism: Several advertisers, including Old Spice, will sponsor particular plays or segments of the game.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on NCAA Football 09

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the virtual game versus the real thing. How close does the game mirror the college football experience?

What's the story?

What's the story?

In video games, the college football season starts a little earlier than in real life. Electronic Arts has just rolled out NCAA FOOTBALL 09, the latest and perhaps one of the most disappointing in the series. Players can choose to command a school to supremacy via recruiting and clutch gameplay, or propel an athlete to Heisman Trophy status in Campus Legend. There are also mini-games to choose from, including a variation on Horse.

Longtime fans of the series will find the controls very familiar, although they might be complicated for new players. You can control everything from play calling to individual pre-play adjustments as well as straightforward passing and catching. Presentation is much cleaner as well. Visuals look more polished, particularly with players. Animations are more varied. You'll see multiple celebrations after plays as well as players slowly returning to their feet after hard hits. New to the franchise is a Breakaway Engine, in which ballcarriers can juke, spin, or stiff-arm their way past opponents for big gains. While this feat can be gratifying, it sometimes leads to sloppy tackling by computer-controlled players attempting to bring you down from behind.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

In general, NCAA Football 09 is a decent football game, just not as good as earlier versions in the NCAA Football series. Instead of introducing interesting or groundbreaking features, NCAA Football 09 is more or less a prettier version of last year's game. Defensive pressure is mild. Computer-controlled offensive schemes are adequate, and yet they focus on slowly moving up field as opposed to mixing up plays. There are some quality additions, like the increased appearance of mascots and cheerleaders to bolster the college atmosphere and the enhanced online components including dynasty modes and roster sharing, but overall, the game lacks real innovation to separate it from its predecessors. While the quality of football portrayed is solid, fans of this series may feel like it's a step down.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, PlayStation 2
Available online
Genre: Sports
Developer: EA Sports
Released on: July 15, 2008
Price: 59.99
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

This review was written by Brett Molina
 
 

Review It

 

Review NCAA Football 09





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

sfs1998
kid, 13 years old
 
Good game
This game is pretty good for a football game I guess. I'm not really sure because this is my first NCAA football video game though. I think it could be a little more thought trough but it's good overall.

coolkat
kid, 13 years old
 
good game
07 real always be the best you get sam bradford to be a sophmore travis lewis its good BOOMER SOONER AND GO PISTOL PETE HORNS DOWN

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you play NCAA Football 09?


Already played it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age