Video Game Review: College Hoops 2K6 (Xbox 360)

For those of you who have played "College Hoops 2K6" for PS2 or Xbox and are wondering how the Xbox 360 version measures up, let me break it down for you: It's the same great game, not too much new has been added and the graphics are identical to what you're already familiar with.

But if you're like me, you sold your last generation system (and the old version of "College Hoops") for the 360 and still have had a hankering for some college hoops. This is your only option.

Despite the other versions being released more than three months ago, little to nothing has been added. If you have played or own "NBA 2K6," you know this is a disturbing trend with 2K sports games. Most abysmal is the minimal improvement that the graphics have received — although the players themselves have been touched up, the courts have been left alone. It's quite jarring to see high resolution players running around on a fuzzy low-res court. Additionally, because all of the camera views that are actually playable are so far away from the action, the courts stick out more and the players less. Another bizarre graphical glitch involves the names on the backs of jersey's not being readable during actual gameplay.

And it's not only the lack of improvements, but a willingness on 2K Games' part to let things slide. Team fight songs are very limited (Marquette's is nowhere to be found) and during tournament or neutral court games, one team is still designated as the "home" team and the stadium is completely taken up by that team's fans.

Finally, the announcing is a cruel lesson in monotony — instead of cranking Metallica or Christina Aguilera for prisoners of war, the United States should consider turning this game on. Seriously, the repetitive and inane commentary is that brutal.

Despite these complaints, the gameplay and the Legacy and Xbox Live modes make this a game worth getting your hands on if you're a fan of the sport. 2K Games' shot stick works beautifully and gives the user nearly perfect control in creating any type of shot they want. Post moves work well, and problems from the 2K5 version of the game, such as the ability to steal the ball at will, have been removed.

The Legacy mode really puts you in the Armani-wearing, Lexus-driving shoes of a big-time basketball coach. You're allowed to recruit players all the way down from senior to freshman in high school. Junior college players also remain a viable option. Developing players, scheduling games and leading your team through their respective conference tournament to the Big Dance are all part of a complete package.

And even though this game boasts intelligent opponent A.I., nothing can replace taking on a human opponent. So if you're one of the many who feels that "Felix" is a five-letter curse word, you can take your Marquette team onto Xbox Live and show the Alabama fans where it's at.

Grade: BC

This review first appeared in the March 23, 2006 edition of the Marquette Tribune.