In this week's Monday Tip-Off, Andrew recounts his recent interest in college basketball video games, particularly EA Sports' NCAA titles.
The post Monday Tip-Off: Giving NCAA Games The Old College Try appeared first on NLSC.
We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Join me as I begin the week here at the NLSC with my opinions and commentary on basketball gaming topics, as well as tales of the fun I’ve been having on the virtual hardwood. This week, I’m tipping things off with some reflections on my recent interest in college basketball video games, particularly EA’s NCAA series.
As I’ve mentioned in previous articles and on our podcast, I didn’t grow up playing college basketball games, as issues with international licensing rights prevented them from being released outside of North America. With no PAL versions of the games, it was usually unfeasible to import them, since they wouldn’t work on the hardware that I own. Of course, college basketball itself isn’t as popular in Australia as the NBA or our own NBL are, so I’ve always had a more casual interest in the NCAA anyway. At the same time, I was intrigued by college basketball video games.
After all, I loved playing with the fictional players in World League Basketball, which of course was originally a college hoops title that was rebranded for PAL regions. I also read previews of NCAA games with a degree of envy, my interest piqued by mechanics such as momentum meters, the ability to shatter the backboard, and the inclusion of classic teams. When a friend gifted me his old PlayStation 3 back in 2019, I was finally able to add a few college basketball games to my collection. It was satisfying to track them down and finally check them out after all this time, as well as write about them. Recently however, they’ve been getting more time in my rotation.
Ironically, given that a big part of their appeal was the idea of playing with fictional players, the classic and All-Time squads are what have been drawing me to EA’s NCAA March Madness/Basketball games. Of course, this also reflects my NBA gaming habits over the past year or so, as I’ve often preferred playing with pre-made and makeshift classic teams. Undoubtedly, the reason I’ve developed that preference – aside from the simple fact that it’s really fun, of course – is that for many years, I was on the grind with MyCAREER. When you’re dedicated to levelling up a player, it doesn’t leave much time to enjoy regular gameplay or any of the historical content.
Also, let’s be honest: the classic teams in NCAA March Madness 08 and NCAA Basketball 09 allow me to play with collegiate versions of NBA players that I’m more familiar with. Sure, there are some college legends that I’ve had to research while I’ve edited their placeholders on those classic teams, as adding all the real names is a long-term goal. However, in the meantime, I’ve enjoyed playing games where the renamed NBA alumni are flanked by fictional players, such as in the Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird showdown that I posted last December. In short, even though I’m enjoying the college basketball gaming experience, I’m also indulging my nostalgia for the NBA.
I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise when I say that the 1982 North Carolina Tar Heels were the team that I was immediately drawn to, and the one that I saw fit to edit first. Adding Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler to the 1983 Houston Cougars, Patrick Ewing to the 1984 Georgetown Hoyas, Christian Laettner and Grant Hill to the 1992 Duke Blue Devils, and the entire Fab Five to the 1993 Michigan Wolverines, was also a priority. The fact that they use generic faces and there’s no in-depth face creation functionality doesn’t matter. Even the mismatched years – normally a detail that I’m admittedly a bit too finicky about – hasn’t bothered me when setting up those games.
The All-Time Teams in NCAA March Madness 08 also kept me hooked for several sessions. It obviously helps that they needed to be unlocked first, which provided a low stakes but nevertheless fun activity to sink my teeth into via a series of Play Now games. Like the All-Time Teams that we’ve had since NBA 2K18 – and in so many unofficial roster mods for NBA 2K and NBA Live over the years – it’s a blast to have legends from different eras on the court together. A backcourt of Michael Jordan and Vince Carter is a recipe for high-flying highlights when using All-Time UNC, while Wilt Chamberlain and Paul Pierce are a deadly inside-outside duo for the Jayhawks.
Novelty is unquestionably the name of the game here. These are games that I didn’t play until many years after they were released, and I’ll admit that after I covered them for Wayback Wednesday, they fell out of the rotation. I do have a large collection after all, and many old favourites that appeal to my NBA nostalgia. With NCAA titles, I don’t have that same nostalgia for the video games, or the collegiate scene for that matter. It’s still basketball though, and there’s obviously that NBA connection with the classic teams. As such, it’s a new way to enjoy those great players, with fresh matchups to play, and different basketball history to relive via the virtual hardwood.
Again, it comes down to novelty, and that also applies to the gameplay. Thanks to the developers’ efforts to not simply make a re-skinned NBA Live, the gameplay in EA’s NCAA games noticeably differs from their NBA counterparts. The same goes for the College Hoops series and NBA 2K. Sure, there are similarities in the animations and controls, but replicating college basketball gives those games a distinctly different feel. The longer shot clock and different rules – including ones regarding late game fouls – effectively changes up the pace, style, and crunch time strategies. Momentum mechanics added intensity, as well as controls over player reactions and interactions.
And of course, there’s the presentation. The atmosphere in NCAA March Madness 08 and NCAA Basketball 09 wouldn’t be complete without the team of Brad Nessler and Dick Vitale on the call. Dickie V alone makes the virtual broadcast come to life, just as he does when calling real NCAA basketball games. Much like having Marv Albert on the mic from NBA Live 2004 through 10, the authenticity that Dickie V brings, and the excitement of his trademark calls whenever there’s a highlight play, enhances the experience. And of course, they’re different voices than the ones I’m accustomed to hearing in NBA video games, new and old. It’s all part of the novelty and freshness.
Obviously, there are many great NBA video games with their own unique mechanics and charm, and to that point, they’ve become retro kicks and reliable standbys in my hoops gaming rotation as well. NCAA titles have something different to offer though, which is why I’ve had so much fun mixing them in with the NBA games that I’m into. And yes, it’s also an opportunity for some minimalist modding, with the classic teams being ready-made and largely only in need of real names. I won’t rule out playing with the then-current squads – especially with real names added – but the classic teams do appeal to my current desire to play exhibition games with meaningful scenarios.
I’ve enjoyed creating videos from those sessions, and it seems the community likes them too. Well, apart from one unhinged and profane comment from someone who took exception to me defeating ’92 Duke with ’93 Michigan, as that never happened in reality. I guess college sports fans are notoriously passionate, but getting upset over a fictional result from a video game? As much as it’s become an overused term online, by the terminally online, I would suggest that “get a grip” definitely applies here! That odd reaction aside, most people seem to have enjoyed seeing EA’s NCAA titles back in action, with quite a few remarking that they’d be in favour of the series returning.
I’m right there with them! Should EA Sports decide to return to the virtual hardwood with a new college basketball video game, I expect that it’ll be more accessible than their previous NCAA titles. First of all, international licensing may no longer be an issue following their split with the NCAA. I expect that a new college basketball title would adopt a similar approach to their college football game, which will include real schools and any players who sign on, but no NCAA branding. Second, with modern consoles being region free – as are PCs, obviously – importing from the US shouldn’t be an issue, if need be. In short, I’m all for the return of virtual collegiate basketball!
For now, I’ll enjoy the handful that I have in my collection. While I’ve mostly been playing NCAA March Madness 08 and NCAA Basketball 09, I do also enjoy NCAA Basketball 10, and hold College Hoops 2K7 and 2K8 in high regard as well. With that being said, the historical content in March Madness 08 and NCAA Basketball 09 are giving them the edge right now. I wouldn’t be opposed to playing through a season or tournament with real or generated names in those other titles, but I can’t get enough of historical showdowns on the virtual hardwood these days. Researching names and fixing up all of those placeholders has also held my interest since I dusted them off.
This is ultimately why I collect basketball video games, and don’t mind if they’re not always complete in box. My goal is to have a variety of hoops titles to play; they’re not for display, or reselling. Sure, they facilitate content creation, and that’s also a reason why I’ve tracked down certain games, including foreign releases and special editions. They’re also for my own enjoyment, though. Granted, some of them likely won’t be in the rotation as often as others, as there are some quirky and downright bad games in my collection. Of course, they’re still fun to break out occasionally, if only to have a laugh and wonder what the developers were thinking with some of them.
When I discover a hidden gem, or give games a second chance, or revisit a game on a whim and it really captures my imagination, it’s a true joy. It may sound as though I’m stating the obvious, but video games are meant to be enjoyed; we’re supposed to have fun with them! As I’ve found myself disappointed with newer titles and uninspired to play them, I’ve looked to the past to get my virtual hardwood fix. I’ve got my long-time favourites that I can always revisit, but I’ve loved discovering new favourites in recent years. I’m sure The X and JaoSming thought they’d never see the day, but that now includes NCAA games as well. They’ve definitely been worth the old college try!
The post Monday Tip-Off: Giving NCAA Games The Old College Try appeared first on NLSC.
