ONE WORD: REALISM Excellent college basketball experience with very minor flaws. If reality is your fortay, get MM07.
User Rating: 9.1 | NCAA March Madness 07 X360
March Madness 07 does justice to College basketball and its fans. For the first time in years, I can say that EA is definitely headed in the right direction in one of thier sports franchise games. The gameplay alone is something that college fans will enjoy because of the realism. No more 100 point games for your star player. EA did something that most fans of sports game have been waiting for years. The ability of the computer AI to learn as the game goes on. If your star point guard is able to drive down the lane for an easy bucket, he may not be able next time. After a few cases of success, the chances are the AI of the computer will key on that play. For instance, if my PG has scored 8 straight points, I will start to see double teams and less chance for my player to make things happen with the same play over-and-over again. I got so frustrated with previous versions of College basketball games because of the exploits and the ability to score whenever. On the more difficult levels you will see more and more of this AI. If you are the type to get ansty and want to score quickly, you will lose by 20 points. This game isn't for you if you don't have the paceince for setting up an offensive play. In EA's first attempt on the 360, they are headed in the right direction. There are a few bugs that GAMESPOT review did point out. In their case, it was a major flaw and needed to be fixed before playing again. Personally, I felt these flaws didn't outweigh the EXCELLENCE of everything else. In fact, I didn't even notice theese (minor) flaws until GAMESPOT pointed them out. Everything else around you (stadiums, the crowds, student sections, bands, the animations of the players) drowns out these flaws. But I do agree with GAMESPOT that these flaws need to be corrected on the next version, but they do, in no way...hinder your expereice in playing MM07. The Dynasty mode is as deep as ever, with the new unlockable upgrades for your facilities, student sections, bands etc. This, like many of the previous versions, has an excellent indepth in developing a coaches strategy and recruiting for the next year that could potentially busy for atleast and hour between each game. If you are familiar with previous versions, and you like how its setup, you will enjoy the improvements in the Dynasty. I am not sold on the point system for rankings (AP 25 and Coaches Poll) but I will play a full season before deciding on that. I will come back and update this review. The only thing its missing is the more "presentation" of inbetween game. Maybe every Wednesday and Sunday night on the calendar have a "Sportscenter" show to give more presentation value inbetween games. The Lockstick on defense was a NECESSARY addition and can't beleive someone hasn't thought of it before this game. It has helped with the realism on defense on stopping guards from driving the lane for an easy two. Obviously Centers have a tougher time guarding a point guard but when you have someone just as quick as the person with the ball, you won't see the overuse of the drive of the lane. I've heard some criticsm on the number of fouls called. My personal opinion is that its just the right amount called. In every sports game, I've always felt they do not call enough fouls/penalties during the game. I have my setting at 15 minute halves which I feel is the PERFECT amount of time for realistic stats and gameplay. I recieve somewhere between 15-25 calls on me per game. A good average is 20 a game which is REALISTIC. I haven't played 5 minute halfs so I can't comment if EA purposely increase the amount of fouls to keep stats realistic, but at 15 minutes its PERFECT. Your typical college game you watch on TV will have 3 - 5 guys in foul trouble which right there is 20 fouls between two teams. I've yet to see anybody foul out of any game, so I think the criticsm is unwarranted and people are not used to the realism of a basketball game. The post play in the game is one of the major plus points that I must point out. The post play in this game is so realistic, I find myself using it more often than not. I just love watching the guys fight for position. If you are playing against a excellent defender down-low, you will see alot of intercepted passes. If your guy is dominating down low, you may see some dunk action. But one thing is for sure, if its working often, you will start to see more double teams on your big guys once they get the ball. Overall, This game is a MUST HAVE for College basetball fans, and sports fans alike. If you were looking to play something similar to previous released College basketball games which don't have the realism that this has, this game isn't for you. EA does have a ways togo to be the perfect baseketball game, but it took a huge stride this year in what I feel is the BEST SPORTS GAME on the 360. 
