NCAA March Madness 99 (PlayStation)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Nelson Taruc
• Reviewed on: 01/11/1999
• Updated on: 05/02/2000
• Released on: 11/30/1998
• Originally published on GameSpot: NCAA March Madness 99 (PlayStation) Review

Now that the NBA strike's finally over, casual sports fans will probably forego college basketball as their primary source of hoops entertainment. However, for poll-watching die-hards who view college basketball as a religion, and the NCAA tournament as judgment day, EA Sports has dropped its newest installment into the mix: NCAA March Madness 99. While the game has enough features to keep avid college fans interested, its sluggish gameplay speed won't win over many new converts.

At the start, this game has so much to offer that it's hard not to get excited. Aside from the game's meat and potatoes - its fully customizable 64-team NCAA tournament mode - there's a dynasty mode that allows you to play multiple seasons and recruit new talent. A practice mode helps you learn offensive plays and hone playing skills, while a three-point shoot-out mode lets up to eight players hurl the rock from long range. Most interestingly, EA Sports has "narrowed the gender gap" by including the women's NCAA Sweet Sixteen portion of their tournament. While there aren't enough teams or unique features to consider it a women's college basketball sim on its own merits, it definitely adds value to the game (kudos to EA Sports for being the first to try). Another great feature preserved from last year's version is the momentum meter, which gives the team that's "in the zone" during a game a slight boost in stats. This feature accurately portrays how college teams gain and lose confidence as they get hot or start shooting bricks.

Yes, from coaching plays to multiple poll rankings, this game offers plenty to work with. Unfortunately, things begin to go south once you actually start playing.

Don't blame it on the graphics or AI. The stadium floors and various animations are done well, although some of the dunks are a bit too "hammy" for college-level play. For the most part, computer opponents are sharp, such as an open shooter stepping back behind the arc when his team's down three late in a game (this writer was impressed the first time he saw it) or a point guard milking the clock. There's an unrealistic glitch during inbound plays under the basket: Sometimes the computer will play the inbound pass too far from the baseline, creating a wide-open lane to score. Also, players tend to bunch up during transitional fast breaks, which doesn't look all too realistic. Still, most of the time the computer does a good job of accurately portraying the sport - especially the half-court game.

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