If you’re looking for a football game with smooth flow and realistic action, Sega Sports’ NCAA College Football 2K3 will certainly fit the bill. The action here is evenly paced and straightforward–no flashy 10-foot leaps, no stiff arms that knock the defender into the rotunda–and the talent level is definitely collegiate.
A working knowledge of college playbooks can be very helpful as the sets here are often highly complex. The producers have added a slew of subtle but significant features to simulate the game’s nuances as well: a quarterback’s accuracy greatly improves when his feet are set; you can totally hide your play-calling by holding down the X button and scrolling through decoy plays; you can anticipate using a spin move on offense by hitting the O button before contact; and you can use the analog sticks (as opposed to the directional buttons) to run with the ball (and in maximum passing mode, you can add zip or a lob touch while also adjusting throws in the air).
The graphics–including players, stadiums, the ESPN-style presentation, and game intro–are all top-notch. With 117 Division I-A teams at your disposal, devoted players can play full seasons (complete with rankings and bowl selections) or, in legacy mode, multiple seasons, going so far as recruiting high schoolers and running spring drills. The major drawback here is the no-name announcing team, a flat-out terrible crew offering an endless stream of stupid jokes and poor analysis. But you’ll have the sound off and the stereo spinning anyway. –Marc Greilsamer
Pros:
- Smooth, realistic game flow
- Top-notch graphics and visual presentation
- Attention to game action’s nuances
Cons:
- Game announcers are silly and ill-informed
- Injury information is erratic
If you’re looking for a football game with smooth flow and realistic action, Sega Sports’ NCAA College Football 2K3 will certainly fit the bill. The action here is evenly paced and straightforward–no flashy 10-foot leaps, no stiff arms that knock the defender into the rotunda–and the talent level is definitely collegiate.
A working knowledge of college playbooks can be very helpful as the sets here are often highly complex. The producers have added a slew of subtle but significant features to simulate the game’s nuances as well: a quarterback’s accuracy greatly improves when his feet are set; you can totally hide your play-calling by holding down the X button and scrolling through decoy plays; you can anticipate using a spin move on offense by hitting the O button before contact; and you can use the analog sticks (as opposed to the directional buttons) to run with the ball (and in maximum passing mode, you can add zip or a lob touch while also adjusting throws in the air).
The graphics–including players, stadiums, the ESPN-style presentation, and game intro–are all top-notch. With 117 Division I-A teams at your disposal, devoted players can play full seasons (complete with rankings and bowl selections) or, in legacy mode, multiple seasons, going so far as recruiting high schoolers and running spring drills. The major drawback here is the no-name announcing team, a flat-out terrible crew offering an endless stream of stupid jokes and poor analysis. But you’ll have the sound off and the stereo spinning anyway. –Marc Greilsamer
Pros:
- Smooth, realistic game flow
- Top-notch graphics and visual presentation
- Attention to game action’s nuances
Cons:
- Game announcers are silly and ill-informed
- Injury information is erratic
NCAA College Football 2K3 re-creates the college atmosphere on the field, where you can execute plays such as the wishbone and other triple-option formations; on the sidelines, which are filled with cheerleaders and mascots; and in the stands, which come alive with enthusiastic student rooting sections and bands striking up fight songs. The ESPN-style presentation offers replays, scores, and more.
The new college-look player models and animations mean that, finally, NCAA football players have the proportions and physiques of real college-age athletes. You can choose from all 117 Division I-A teams and selected Division I-AA teams. The comprehensive legacy mode lets you assemble your football program from the ground up and build a Division I-A powerhouse. You can also create a school and join the conference of your choice. The game also lets you compete for the nation’s top high-school recruits and develop your squad in the off-season with spring practice sessions.
You can compare your coaching effectiveness with history’s greatest college coaches, and also save senior players from NCAA College Football 2K3 and draft them into NFL 2K3. New player names will appear on the backs of their jerseys. The authentic ranking system lets you track your team’s performance and its shot at the national title with the AP poll, coaches’ poll, and BCS standings. You will compete in the postseason classics, including all four BCS games: the Fiesta Bowl (the 2003 BCS championship game), the Rose Bowl, the Orange Bowl, and the Sugar Bowl. You will be surrounded with the sounds of pep bands playing university fight songs, students in the rooting section yelling school chants, and cheerleaders and mascots with hundreds of motion-captured moves.
- PS2
List Price: $ 4.84
Price: $ 4.84
DONT BUY NCAA 2K3,
I bought NCAA 2k3 thinking it was better then EA Sports 2003, man was i way OFF! I’ve played both games, and let me just ask, who in the world is designing the 2k3 games… for lack of a better word this game … . The create school well lets just say the only thing you create is a name, and where your team is from, as compared to EA sports NCAA 2003, you create the name, logo, color and type of equipment, type of football program, style of defense and offense, type of staduim and the list goes on. I’ve been playing 2k3 for the past two weeks, so ill go over the faults with you so you dont waste your money on it, first – there is no dynasty mode so u cant coach a team longer then a year, also when i completed a season, there are limited bowl games, there are no orange, fiesta, or rose bowl. Second the players especially the running backs move like stick figuers there’s no agility in the movements they make…. unlike EA sports NCAA. Thirdly – when you call a flat screen pass.. u have to roll out in order to actually see your reciever…otherwise you have no idea whats going on. Fourth – when the clock is running out and your trying to run a 2 minute offense, a screen 3inches by 4 inches appears, for some strange reason, in the upper left hand corner of your T.V., which in turn covers the receiver who may be running a pattern on the left hand side ( U CANT SEE HIM). Fifth – No awards, like heisman trophy, defensive player award etc. I mean do the people making this game at sega have any understanding of football, have any understanding of their competition, do they think the people buying their games are ignorant fools who just assume this is how football really is. Listen point blank, if anyone reads this take it into advice about buying any football games from sega sports, DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY, I promise you’ll be disappointed if you do, I’ve rented EA sports NCAA football proir to buying 2k3, and im kicking myself in the rear for not buying EA NCAA… EA sports is simply much more detailed, and involved…2k3 is for 5 years olds who dont know anything about football yet.
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|Has its good points, too,
A lot of people are saying they like the EA version of college football better. I am left wondering what it is they like about having absolutely ZERO control of what happens on defense and having the AI ALWAYS complete it’s pass on third-and-thirty, QB rolling out one way, backwards, turning and hurling (without looking) and completing a pass to a man 30 yards away who is triple-covered. That repetetive scenario has cost me quite a few controllers as I smash them into little pieces every time that happens.
This game at least lets you PLAY defense. Choose a linebacker, blitz around the OT, and score a sack with far more likelihood than with EA. EA: can you ever GET sack when controlling a defender? Maybe once a season?
EA’s offense is better, graphics are better, but gameplay is much better here with 2k3.
People critical of the Dynasty mode (“Legacy mode” here) are right to be critical. The “legacy” mode is average, but you can’t change schools: you are stuck with the one you chose to start with. This is disappointing.
Recruiting is pretty cool, though not of the same depth as EA. Still, if you WIN, you stand a better chance of securing good recruits. Players you go after will be swayed by your good W/L record. I’d really like to see Sega go into depth here, as I think recruiting is one of the best parts of sim sports games.
Would like to see more of a “box score”-type post-game stats presentation.
Also, would like to be able to call more running plays. The choices are fairly limited, and no chance to hand off the ball to a handful of different players throughout any one game.
One final complaint: My team up by plenty with a minute or so left on the game clock. The opposition is on the 3-yard line, heading in to score, and, on fourth down, PUNTS! Doesn’t go for a field goal or touchdown, but PUNTS!! What the heck is THAT?? Ha! That has GOT to be ironed out by 2k4.
I know I’ve pointed out the flaws here and given it a 4-star rating, but I think the game is a better game than EA. 989 Sports doesn’t even factor into the equation. I’m like everybody who isn’t just posting to be “loyal” (which really means “stubbornly stupid”) I would like to see the best of what BOTH EA and Sega have rolled into one game. Until that happens, I’ll stick with Sega, for it’s far better gameplay. Great graphics are nice (EA) but if the gameplay is overly (and unnecessarily) frustrating, it’s just not fun to play. Gameplay alone gives this one the nod over its competitors. They just had better improve certain aspects of this version for next year’s 2K4.
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