NCAA March Madness 06 - Review
Added October 17th, 2005 by Kisan Parikh
Introduction:
With the college basketball season still a few months away, NCAA March Madness 06 has been released. While teams are just beginning to prepare, gamers are able to start playing immediately. EA hopes that this early release will boost the game’s sales. Let’s take a look at what March Madness 06 has to offer and if it’s worth the purchase price.
Gameplay:
The gameplay of March Madness 06 is, in many ways, similar to that of NBA Live 06 in terms of basic mechanics. The biggest differences lie in a slightly difference pace and style. There aren’t too many differences in gameplay from the previous version, but the ones that are included are well implemented.
This year’s edition of the game is obviously geared towards improving the defensive side of the ball. The biggest new feature is the Lockdown Stick. This new feature utilizes the right thumbstick and allows gamers to play more aggressively. By using the left thumbstick to stay in front of your opponent and the right stick to stay in an aggressive stance, you are able to restrict the ball handler’s movement. Additionally, you can take charges and steal the ball while in this aggressive stance. On top of managing the ball handler defensively, you can cut off passing lanes with the Lockdown Stick. You are able to get in front of a player without the ball and force him to catch the ball outside, or you can pick off the pass.
Another new defensive feature is the Defensive Floor General Playcalling system. This allows you to select defensive plays and set up trap zones on the court with a simple press of the D-pad. You can even have the trap zones diagramed on the screen, and this allows you to use the Lockdown stick to force an opponent into a trap. The Floor General Playcalling system doesn’t stop with just defense. You are also able to manage your offense with a similar system. Instead of trap zones, you are able to see diagrams of where your player will be. Although defense has been changed for the better overall, big men can still power their way to the net, even when their defender is of the same size.
Other than that, the gameplay changes include small tweaks and fixes. One new ability is executing dribble handoffs. This allows you to break free of traffic to open up opportunities. Changes have been made to the fast-breaks, just as in NBA 06. Now you are able to more easily acquire a fast-break and turn it into a basket. Besides this, gameplay sticks to that of the previous year.
The main mode of play, Dynasty Mode, allows you mold your program into top shape over the course of 30 years. Dynasty Mode is very deep, and it really has a ton to offer. The mode is run off of a points system. You are assigned a budgeted number of points in the categories of recruiting, discipline, and gameplay. The in-season recruiting allows you to locate talent around the league and attempt to bring them to your school. Players seem to be less interested in coming to play for you when you are far away from their home state, but you have options to try to persuade them. Your points can be spent on sending program packages, inviting them to watch games, watching their games, and scouting players. Once you think a player is interested enough, you are even able to offer them one of a limited number of scholarships.
The discipline system involves keeping your team from getting in trouble with the NCAA by punishing players for infractions. Your players can have dropping grades or illegal infractions involving the booster clubs that can cause the NCAA to take action if you do not suspend your players. This means that even your top players may need to sit out some games. Your game-plan points allow you to set up your team’s strategies for your next opponent. Spending points to improve your team’s game-plan before big games can be essential to earning a victory.
In addition to game-plan points, your team’s style can be optimized for the type of players you have through the strategy menu. Here you can choose whether to play zone or man-to-man, full-court or half-court, and even whether your team focuses on star players or the whole team. In addition, you can change what plays you run with the Floor General Playcalling system.
Overall, the gameplay of NCAA March Madness 06 is a step in the right direction. The freestyle dribbling and basic mechanics work well for the game, and the additions enhance them. I really think the defensive features add to the overall gameplay experience. Dynasty is as fun as ever, and gamers will enjoy the deep recruiting modes and deep strategy options.
Graphics:
Graphically, NCAA is solid, but not great. The players have a little shine to them. This was supposed to be sweat but the current generation technology definitely limited the appearance. Other than that, the player models are decently done, but the crowd isn’t done as well as it could have been. March Madness 06 sticks to the 2D, cardboard-style crowds.
Animations were the best visual aspect of the game. There are many more, varied movements, especially when compared to the previous year’s game. All the motions are executed well, including the defensive abilities. The game runs smoothly, and this helps enhance the basketball experience.
Audio:
The soundtrack featured in March Madness 06 is possibly different than you would expect, but it turns out to be very fitting to the spirit of the game. Each track is performed by a college band, and that helps further distinguish the game from NBA titles. The in-game sounds are well executed as well. The crowd roars at appropriate times, but it isn’t excessively loud. Unfortunately, the game suffers from some poor commentary. At times the announcers ramble for much too long, and these ramblings prove to be useless most of the time.
Controls:
The control scheme of March Madness is basically the same as NBA Live. The new Lockdown stick is implemented perfectly, and it feels like a natural way to defend. In addition, the Floor General Playcalling is very intuitive, with its use of the D-pad. Everything just works as far as controls go.
For people who want to learn the new defensive additions, there are video tutorials included with the game. They run through everything in an easy to follow manner, and watching them can aid your understanding of how to use the new features. Gamers should really have no trouble picking up this game and playing if they have played basketball games in the past.
Replay:
As mentioned earlier, the Dynasty Mode is 30 years long. This provides a good amount of replay value in itself, but it really isn’t enough. The Xbox Live mode included in the game doesn’t really offer anything groundbreaking. You have the standard features such as Optimatch and Quickmatch, and you also are able to match up in lobbies with players close to your skill level. Rivalry and Mascot games are also included, and they are fun alternatives. Everything runs well over Live, and playing online can be a great alternative to facing AI. The game doesn’t have a whole lot in terms of extra modes and ways to play, but what is offered will keep people entertained for a while.
Summary:
NCAA March Madness 06 is a solid game that shows some steps in the right direction. The game continues to build on the basic elements of gameplay with some new additions and changes to Dynasty Mode. The visuals featured in March Madness attempt to show some sweat effects, but unfortunately it just makes players look a bit shiny and fake. Fortunately, the animations make up for this. The sound is solid as well, with the only hiccups involving the commentating. The control scheme is excellent and the game will offer an acceptable amount of replay value.
This all adds up to a solid game that ends up being a solid pickup for college basketball fans and basketball fans in general. While gamers split between NBA Live 06 and NCAA March Madness should probably stick with NBA Live, NCAA 06 offers a great alternative to people who want something a bit different from the professional basketball videogames.
