NCAA Football '09
Reviewed by Rick Tittle
rick@ricktittle.com

There are many people who love college football more than they love NFL football.  I can see it: growing up in places like Norman and Lincoln, the NFL seems light-years away; mere actors on a television screen every Sunday in autumn.  The spirit and tradition of college football, along with the bands and raucous student sections of the stadium…it simply is a more exciting game.  I get it, I really do.  Even though I prefer the professional brand of gridiron to the college game, I can appreciate what a great game NCAA FOOTBALL ’09 truly is.

Mascots in the NFL are way lame.  The Kansas City Chiefs have a fox, for example.  Rancid.  But college mascots are the real deal.  Most of them were conceptualized over 100 years ago.  The Georgia Bulldog, Oski the Bear at Cal, the Navy goat…the list goes on and on.  Those are real mascots, and Electronic Arts makes sure to include them in the game with humorous touchdowns celebrations, many of which you can control yourself.

Also you will notice a big change on the offensive side of the football from last year’s release.  Ball carriers are no longer trapped in moves which will lead to a tackle, but instead moves can be initiated on a whim and thus avoid defenders.  You will also have to deal with your quarterback’s confidence, just like in real life.  If he throws too many picks, he will suffer more setbacks.  Conversely, more completions mean more touchdown passes.  Defensively things are more or less the same, albeit the gang tackling has been tweaked up a notch or two. 
    
The College Legend feature is back again this year but without the pep rallies and pick-up games.  It mostly deals with hitting the books and going to class.  Now that’s not very realistic if you go to class, it is?  You can also work out in the gym and visit the team trainer for advice.  Boring.  The Dynasty Mode is pretty cool, however.  This will allow you to recruit players and even call them when you’re too busy for a visit.  You can then go online and match your recruiting skills across the country with other players.
    
There are also mini-games such as tug-of-war and playing a game of H-O-R-S-E via field goals attempts.  And no, I’m not kidding.  But for me the game really shines when it comes to the details.  The stadia look like the real thing, the fight songs are the real songs, and the enthusiasm of the unbridled college spirit is palpable.  In many ways this title is even more impressive than EA’s Madden series, because there are so many more teams and intangibles to get right in the college game.  It’s just plain fun, and it looks pretty, too. 
    
“Give me an E, give me an I, give me a G, give me an H, give me a T…what’s that spell?  Eight!”  I give this game an 8.

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