College Hoops 2k7 is simply the best college basketball game out to date.
Gameplay: Over the years College Hoops has been known for great gameplay. That continues here. 2k improved on a few things from last year's game, most notably the crossover ability. Last year it was somewhat difficult to perform a crossover or any type of juke move, this year it can be done with ease using the right thumbstick as well as the B and Y buttons. The players will also make apporiate moves at the right times, underneath the basket they will make a powerful post move or dunk and while driving to the basket they will adjust their layup according to the defense. You can help in all of this as well using the right thumbstick or Shot Stick as it is called. Another new edition is are the 60 or so different shot forms that have been added. Now every player has their own unique shot form, from the perfect looking jump shot to the crazy looking one. Going through the different shot forms I have been able to find a few very similar to my own shot form (which looks very good I might add.) As for the gameplay modes, all the modes from last year are back including the Legacy Mode, which is even more in depth than it was last year. One new gamemode this year is Coach Mode where you play as the coach from the sideline and coach your team. Though not the best mode, its a good idea that can be worked with. There is online as well, and though its not very detailed or complex, its very competitive. The only complaint I had in the gameplay is how many layups can be missed. Players will miss wide open layups when they should easily go in. Other than that the gameplay is great.
Graphics: The graphics for 2k7 have been improved from last year, it defiantly has that next-gen look to them, especially on a HDTV. The players have a little bit more individuality to them than before, however you will find player's that look the same. Of course you can always customize your players so they look different. The school gyms look great, the court and stadium-design are all great, though they did screw up a little when making Cameron Indoor (Duke's gym.) Duke's gym could have used some more work because it is not an acurate design of the gym. Other than that, the only other problem with the graphics is the players will appear with out a jersey so instead of the jersey-top you see skin. It usually fixes itself pretty quickly though.
Sound: A key to any college basketball game is atmosphere. If you don't feel like you're in a college basketball gym then the game is going to suffer. Fortuantly, 2k Sports made sure we felt we were in a college atmosphere. The obvious thing is how load the crowd can get. Like in a real basketball game, when you got the crowd screaming at the top of their lungs it can really be an advantage to the home team. The same is true here. There is a defianite difference between home and away games and it can just about affect the momentum of the game. Add a pep band to the already screaming crowd and you got yourself a true college basketball enivornment. The commentors from 2k6 are back again and they do a good job once again, especially the color commentator. There is a third commentator, a girl who talks to the coaches and gets insight but she gets repetitive and can be totally wrong sometimes. Im just glad they didn't get Billy Packer to commentate or it would be full of bashes against every team expect Duke. Packer seems has Dookie coming out of his ass on a daily basis.
College Hoops 2k7 is a must have for any college baskeball fan. If you are as big a fan as I am, you will find yourself playing this game a lot and there are plenty of things to do to keep yourself occupied with it for a long time. Not only do I recommend this to college basketball fans but also to basketball and sports game fans alike. In my mind it is the best sports game of 2007.