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Platform: Playstation 2 |
Developer: EA Sports |
Publisher: Electronic Arts |
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Genre: Sports |
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ETA: Nov. 30, 2002 |
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March Madness 2003
The
March Madness series, which might have been EA Sports’ biggest flop
last year, hopes to rebound with an impressive sophomore year on the
PS2.
Although
the game play was tolerable, the omission of such fundamental game modes
such as a Dynasty mode and even a single season mode was
outrageous. The only
available game modes were exhibition and playing a NCAA Tournament.
The blunder was unexpected from an EA Sports’ company that
prides itself on having a bulky amount of game modes.
March
Madness was torn apart by critics who saw the game as a retail demo
version of what the actual product should have been.
I hate to admit it, but I agreed with them.
But if the revival of the NBA Live series is any inclination of
EA Sports’ ability to turn games around in a single year, that reason
alone is enough to believe March Madness will be a contender for the
best college basketball game on the PS2.
This
year March Madness 2003 will have six game modes, including a season and
a Dynasty mode. But the fun
doesn’t stop there.
The
Freestyle Control that has Live gamers jumping for joy will also be included. In a video of the
game, the crossover and spin moves looked pretty tight.
There will be fully animated 3D crowds, 49 mascots, and over 120
fight songs and 300 crowd chants. The
graphics look top-notch and the animation speed looked pretty decent.
I was disappointed to see a poor example of defensive A.I. by the
CPU as an offensive player was able to shoot a lay-up down the middle of
the lane uncontested. The
ball was in the basket before any of the defensive players moved an
inch.
The
one thing I am looking most forward to is the Dynasty mode.
The video also showcased the interfaces for some team stats,
standings and recruiting. The
recruiting interface looks a lot like NCAA Football’s.
It will be interesting to see how solid the recruiting engine is.
You can customize your non-conference schedule and there will be
end-of-the-year All-American awards.
There was mention of the EA Sports Roundball Classic and EA
Sports’ Maui Invitational, but other than that I am not sure of what
pre-season and post-season tournaments will be in the game.
I also am unsure if the mid-season match-ups (such as EA
Sports’ ACC/Big 10 challenge) will be included in the game.
Fifteen
coaches from 12 of the top conferences developed the in-game strategies
and tendencies. You will
also have the ability to call plays on the fly.
This will help out most on defense where you can quickly switch
to a full-court press. There is also a Create-A-School option.
There
was no mention in the feature sheet if the game was going to be online
compatible or if you could import draft classes to NBA Live.
March Madness 2003 will be released November 29, 2002.
- Tim Martin (November 3, 2002)
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