More than a year has passed since the world has been graced by Madness – March Madness. It comes to the real sport every spring, but that hasn’t guaranteed an annual game release.

Waiting a couple extra months for the season update, NCAA March Madness 07, is as challenging as Ninja Gaiden. It can be painfully difficult at times, but deep down you know you’ll survive.

The anticipation ends today with the release of the game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. 

Game Time

March Madness 07’s mode list is extensive, though not unfamiliar. The College Classics mode is back and is without sponsorship this time around (it was once called the “Pontiac” College Classics mode). Its contents are still the same: choose a game from a significant point in time – let’s use Indiana vs. Syracuse as an example – pick a side to play on, and enter the game to see if you can live up to the history books. EA is well known for this kind of classic content, just as they are known for their Dynasty modes.

Developers launched the first Dynasty mode with the intent to create a deeper season. Instead of merely going through the motions and playing against every team on tap, the game let you glance over an entire year’s schedule. Game dates were accessible at any time. Simulate, a feature that lets the AI decide who wins based on both team’s stats, allowed players to bypass the games they didn’t want to play. (That feature has since been improved with the semi-interactive simulator in FIFA 07.)

The Dynasty legacy is carried on in March Madness 07. It works just as described, minus the interactive simulator elements, which are currently exclusive to the latest FIFA.

Players also have coaching duties to think about. The school budget must be managed, and there are only 330 points to work with. Points can be applied to recruiting, discipline, and gameplan. 

Mascot mode les you control your favorite mascot in a game of big heads versus sweaty guys in oversized Halloween costumes.

Your specific coaching strategy rests on 10 different categories. They’re divided into two parts, the first one having things like fast break, team focus, and full court. Coaching strategy points are shot down the middle, with the other categories placed on the opposite side. They include star focus, half court, man-to-man, etc. By moving the slider left or right, you’re adding points to one area while taking them away from another. It’s a tough call to make. Which one is most important? Which should be the one that’s sacrificed?

As coach you’ll also have to assign training time. Shooting, offense and defense are integral, but conditioning – which focuses on speed, stamina, quickness (isn’t this the same as speed?), strength, and jumping – is not to be ignored. Training is done automatically. Assign the points and they’ll go to work. The next time you’ll grab the ball is when you’re on the court facing an opponent.

There are also Dynasty points to acquire and cash in. You’ll spend those on player ability upgrades like shooting, rebounding, timing, and free throws.

To find out how you’ve been doing as a coach, check out his report card from the Dynasty menu. You’ll get info on job security, fan base, stats, and titles.

More interesting than any of the menu- and number-based gameplay is what happens when you take control as a Sideline General. Instead of playing the game you sit back and watch with a close eye. At any time you can influence the game by calling plays. This can also be done while controlling a player by pressing the D-pad in various directions. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking about Comcast Digital Cable. Could it be something subliminal? 

When You’re Not Shootin’ Hoops…

…Stop by the campus bookstore. Don’t be afraid – it’s not really a bookstore. The developers just needed a relevant name, and I don’t know how well “Nike Shoe Shop” would’ve gone over in focus testing. But that is what you get – a place to acquire new socks, headbands, shoes (Nike Shox, Air Jordans, etc.) and historic teams / jerseys (including the ’98 Utah Utes and ’72 Marquette Golden Eagles).

Right next to the bookstore is the Hall of Fame, a place where you can peruse the awards and trophies given to the game’s biggest stars. Normally this wouldn’t be newsworthy information. Game details can be obtained online at any time. But only in March Madness can you view the Hall of Fame, bookstore, and College Classics via a cool and fast-moving 3D map. The game hops (with a nice, seamless zoom) from area to area, displaying different camera angles to compensate for your inability to physically live in the game world.  

March Madness 07 doesn’t move mountains with innovation or introduce any must-play elements. It’s very much the game it was last year: a good but dated variation of the NBA Live series. There’s only so much room for college basketball to differ from the pros, and there’s even less room for annual differences on the previous console generation. If PlayStation 2 is the only console in your home and you must own every EA update, March Madness 07 won’t be too disappointing. But it definitely won’t blow you away.

Gameplay: 6.9
Brand-new year, same old story. Last year’s gameplay hasn’t gone anywhere, which is good if you loved March Madness 06 but never made a purchase. If you have the game, however, there’s almost no reason to get this edition.

The Go-To-Guy and Sideline General features aren’t as intriguing as they sound. Being the Go-To-Guy just means you’ll benefit when the power increases. As Sideline General, I felt like I was playing a turn-based RPG that I had very little control over.

Graphics: 6.9
Not the PS2’s best or worst, March Madness 07 doesn’t shine as brightly as it once did.

Sound: 4
Oh the madness. The commentary lacks accuracy and enthusiasm, and the music – no matter how appropriate – is extremely annoying.

Difficulty: Medium
Debatable. I haven’t spent a lot of time with the series, so I wasn’t surprised that March Madness 07 was a little more difficult for me than the last NBA Street. But is it a really tough game? If you’ve played it before, there won’t be much to keep you producing high point totals.

Concept: 5
Every good series must run its course, and then move on to the next generation. March Madness 07 doesn’t introduce enough, nor does it grab hold of the player enough, to justify further iterations for PS2. If, for the last generation, there is more juice that can be squeezed out of this series – then by all means push ahead. Otherwise it’s DOA.

Multiplayer: 7
March Madness 07’s on-the-fly playbook selections lead the way for new multiplayer situations.

Overall: 6.9
NCAA March Madness 07 is a good rehash. That might sound like a bit of a contradiction, but it’s true. The game doesn’t showcase anything you’ll remember six months from now, but that’s only because this game has been done several times over. It’s not a step up, but it’s not really a step down either. It’s just kind of…there. Worth renting, but pass if you have last year’s edition, or can get the more promising version for Xbox 360.