WorthPlaying: NCAA Basketball 09 Review

WorthPlaying writes: "While many sports fans are busy arguing about what a ridiculous system the Bowl Championship Series is when it comes to crowning a college football champion, basketball enthusiasts have migrated over to the hardwood and are currently enrapt by the opening strains of the NCAA college basketball symphony. In a sport where momentum swings happen in a flash and upsets are not only dreamt of but are expected, the legions of Cameron Crazies and Rock, Chalk Jayhawks are packing into arenas across the country to root their classmates on to the win. For those wishing to relive the experience digitally, this year, your only choice is NCAA Basketball 09; and while the spirit is there, this is one Cinderella who is just a few key players short of making it to the ball.

First off, EA has dropped the March Madness moniker from the series, most likely because its franchise is now the only game in town. In traditional EA fashion, the company has bought up exclusive NCAA basketball rights, leaving perennial competitor 2K Sports high and dry without a roundball game to call its own. What EA could have done here is present a highly polished, sublimely enjoyable game that made us forget all about 2K and not lament the fact that we no longer have a choice, but instead they turned in a respectable, yet not entirely impressive, effort that will tide fans over until next year's edition." 7.7/10