NCAA Football 2005

Startlingly good graphics mean that the GameCube version of NCAA Football 2005 is no slouch.

Excellence is simply expected with EA Sports? college-football series, and like the sun rising in the east each morning, NCAA Football 2005 shines brightly on the gridiron once again. Along with some razor-sharp tuning of last year?s little flaws, this year?s powerhouse posts big numbers with new features that bring home-field advantage to life, add a layer of depth to Dynasty mode, and even add a touch of humor with customizable signs for fans in the stands.

Storm Their Field
EA Tiburon continually defies that ?if it ain?t broke? adage by making each year?s NCAA Football game substantially better than the last. This season the development team was wise enough to mend a few details that were actually broke. Kick-off returns provide more opportunities for breaking free, avoiding last year?s repetitive shutdowns. Running the ball feels much better too?halfbacks can cut more sharply than other less agile players, threading their way through seams without getting stuck on teammates. Collision detection is improved, but you?ll still see limbs passing through limbs and players twitching robotically between plays.
Overall, NCAA 2005 is a huge upgrade?if you played the hell out of 2004, you?ll find a lot to appreciate. The addition of Xbox Live?NCAA?s the first-ever EA game to support it?will get the biggest headlines, but it?s not the biggest addition. That honor falls to the new focus on home-field advantage. When playing in a loud stadium, visiting teams face a rowdily vibrating controller, shaking screen, and players whose lack of composure causes bad plays. If you think you can handle it, you?re in for a surprise?the overall effect is huge, really adding to the challenge in key moments like kicking a field goal. A Stadium Pulse meter lets the home team amp up the crowd, and you can even create signs for fans in the stands to wave after big plays?that?s a whole lot of smack just waiting to be talked.

Tear Down Their Posts
Home field comes into play before the snap, too?the new Matchup Stick lets strategists determine which players are getting rattled and which aren?t, enabling you to call plays aimed at exploiting those weaknesses. Other cool new stuff includes a new kick-off camera, hot routes for running plays, and coaching during time-outs. Dynasty mode is also much richer, thanks to new elements like recruiting non-football athletes; dividing your budget between recruiting, training, and discipline; and disciplining players who miss practice or get into trouble.

Heckle Their Band
In the face-off between the three systems, the GameCube version will surprise you with its sharp graphics, but the lack of online play and that sports-unfriendly controller doom it to a third-place finish. Now that the game supports Xbox Live, that version is tops with its superior graphics, but there?s nothing shabby about the PS2 version. The choice is really more about which hardware and controller you prefer, rather than any big differences between the games.
As a whole, the graphics and sounds were upgraded in solid but not groundbreaking ways, ranging from roaring crowds in loud stadiums to better animations and lighting. The excellent controls benefit from new moves like big hits and the other new features. When ball?s kicked off, there?s just no way to go wrong with NCAA Football 2005.

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