NCAA March Madness series
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The NCAA March Madness series is the main NCAA basketball series published by EA Sports, only on the two next-gen consoles (PS2 and Xbox) as of 2004.
Like other games based on NCAA sports, it cannot feature the players' names (as that is against NCAA policy/rules). Therefore, only the players' numbers are used (although many of their last names are featured within the in game commentary, like the NBA Live series). Generally, EA Sports has focused less on this series than NBA Live, leading to a less polished look, overall. NCAA March Madness 07 was released on January 16, 2007. As with 2006, the commentators are Brad Nessler at play-by-play, and Dick Vitale as color commentator.
[edit] Yearly Releases
[edit] 2007
| NCAA March Madness 07 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | EA Canada |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Release date(s) | January 16, 2007 |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer, multiplayer online |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 |
NCAA 07 March Madness was released in January 2007 and features former Gonzaga and current Charlotte Bobcats forward Adam Morrison on the cover.
Some of the new features include a new dynamic crowd environment, the ability to upgrade facilities, and intensity and composure. No more will you have a crowd packed arena regardless of school tradition, now you will notice a difference between the crowds for such schools as Duke or North Carolina opposed to crowds for schools such as Boston University or Idaho State, the latter being subdued and without celebrity commentary (Dick Vitale, Brad Nessler) or Energy. However you will have the ability to upgrade your programs success throughout the game. In dynasty mode, you'll be able to improve your school's facilities and school-pride rating as you complete challenges throughout the season. Completing challenges such as winning your home opener or signing high-profile recruits lets you upgrade the facilities of your program. Four main facilities can be built and upgraded: a practice gym, a weight room, a study hall, and an injury clinic. The higher rated a particular facility is, the more of a bonus it will give the players on your team. The better your facilities are the higher the chance that you'll land that prized recruit to help continue the rebuilding effort of your program. Increasing your program's success will help increase the level of fan and student support as you go. Having a winning program will unlock a pep band, a students' section, and a cheerleading squad to help motivate your players on the floor. It should be noted that the team behind March Madness 2007 has worked to make sure that the location of all 325 school bands and student sections are as authentic as possible. The last new feature is the ability to interact with the crowd, your opponents, your teamates and yourself, you will be able to raise and lower the intensity by performing well or performing badly on the court. You can then spend those intensity points and Interact with the mascot, the cheerleaders, the pep band, you name it, it gives a new dimension to the celebration and helps make the game ultimately more realistic. A idea ported from NBA Live is the ability to practice while waiting for the game to load. This allows you to interact and hone your skills, instead of just staring at a loading screen.
[edit] 2006
| NCAA March Madness 06 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | EA Canada |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports |
| Release date(s) | October 11, 2005 |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer, multiplayer online |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
NCAA March Madness 06 was released on October 11, 2005. UNC guard Raymond Felton is featured on the game's cover who is currently playing for the Charlotte Bobcats.
Games feature Brad Nessler and Dick Vitale as commentators.
March Madness 2005 featured former UConn star and Charlotte Bobcat Emeka Okafor on the cover.
March Madness 2004 featured former Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony on the cover.
March Madness 2003 featured former Kansas star Drew Gooden on the cover.
March Madness 2002 featured former Duke star Shane Battier on the cover.
