Two months ago I reviewed the most realistic basketball games ever to be developed, NBA 2K7. Visual Concept’s focus on creating a genuinely immersive experience through NBA player likeness and style and the environmental surroundings of loud crowds and detailed stadiums made it a must-have title for any basketball fan. College Hoops 2K7 follows in step, delivering a similar experience on-court. Some of the major features of NBA 2K7 couldn’t be included such as player rosters, but the inclusion of a cheer-making system and player unity makes College Hoops 2K7 another solid experience.

The game features all the well-known teams from all major conferences such as Duke and UCLA. In addition, a ton of lesser-known teams are available to select. Some teams have ridiculously low statistics (I have a better chance of marrying Eva Longoria than some of these teams have at winning their conference championship) but the fact that you can play as them is a great addition for college pride.

When I said earlier that College Hoops “follows in step” with NBA 2K7, I really mean it’s the same game with different teams. Isomotion is back, allowing gamers to pull off dribbling maneuvers to get by a defender. Just as before, Isomotion makes it easier to lose the ball while performing a move so use it with caution. Besides utilizing the thumb stick, however, the Y and B buttons also control dribbling. Shooting the ball is also identical to NBA 2K7, giving you the option to control it through the right analog stick or X so you can perform all sorts of lay-ups, dunks, and post ups. You must pull back the shot stick and release it as the player does on-screen. Luckily, the difference in timing the shot between players is nonexistent, making it easier to develop your own free-throw technique. One problem I did notice was some passing precisions problems. There were times when I saw a teammate completely open, but when I passed to him he had already moved to a different spot on the court and the ball would go out-of-bounds. Also, just like NBA 2K7, it is nearly impossible to pull off a fast break. Overall, the controls are generally pretty good despite some minor snags.

The problematic 2K Nav menu system that plagued NBA 2K7 is also back and equally as confusing. You navigate using the right thumb stick and the main team-selection menu is cluttered, separating the teams into their respective conferences instead of one list organized alphabetically by college name. Create-a-player and create-a-school are also back with a pretty solid variety of attributes. Visual Concepts has expanded on the customization options with the inclusion of a chant creator. You can select when you want the chant to be heard during game-time, the length of the track, and the kind of chant you want to be performed (whether you want to include cheerleaders, mascots, or letter cards). Besides being absolutely awesome to hear a chant you put together, it really adds to the overall realism the developers are continuously striving for.

Another new feature is Team Unity, an interesting gameplay option where teamwork, substitutions, and the vibe of the home crowd affects the performance of the players. Whenever there is a significant change in Team Unity, a meter filled with bars will appear indicating how well your team is working together. When playing in simulation mode as opposed to arcade mode, your team will show fatigue as the game progresses. Substituting players for more refreshed ones will keep your players in top-notch condition, but will negatively affect your Team Unity. You really must weigh your options, requiring a level of coaching I have never seen before.

Besides Quick Game, there are six modes including Pontiac Tournament Mode, College Hoops Classic Mode (a pre-set bracket tournament), Coach Mode (an interesting simulation where you sit on the sidelines and call the plays to be performed), Rivalry Mode (a pre-set list of rivals per team is included for your convenience), Practice Mode, and Legacy mode. Legacy mode is an absolutely fantastic franchise mode that has been improved with the inclusion of a new in-game show called “College Hoops Tonight” that features basketball news, player highlights, and quirky analysis from Greg Gumbel and Clark Kellogg. The online component is also great with weekly tournaments and leagues as well as the standard quick-match and opti-match, which runs near flawlessly.

The NCAA has strict rules that companies cannot make money off student-athlete likeness. For that reason, College Hoops does not offer a genuine player roster. Luckily, you can create it yourself (although it doesn’t really add to the realism). What Visual Concepts has been promoting coach likeness, touting names like North Carolina’s Roy Williams and Memphis’s John Calipari. Unfortunately, the character model details are unimpressive and are only useful during the five-second locker room cutscenes. The strongest part of the game’s graphics is its attention to detail of the campus courts and crowds. I’ve visited several college basketball arenas and the in-game representations are nearly spot-on. The crowds’ excitement and college pride feels just like you are sitting in the stands of your favorite team. The player animation is also just as smooth and realistic as NBA 2K7. The sound is also incredibly exhilarating to hear considering the vibe of the crowd, the customizable create-a-chant, and good commentary.

In all, College Hoops 2K7 is a very realistic basketball title. The game is very similar to its NBA counterpart with the inclusion of Isomotion, the menu system, and the shot stick. But considering NBA 2K7 is the greatest next-generation basketball title available, that’s not a bad thing. Creating your own chant, Team Unity, and “College Hoops Tonight are all fun additions to the game’s franchise. If you’re itching for a little NCAA Basketball action, look no further than College Hoops 2K7.

Gameplay: 8.6
I enjoyed NBA 2K7’s gameplay mechanics. But the new gameplay additions such as create-a-chant and Team Unity make me love College Hoops even more! There are a few gameplay problems that haven’t been fixed, such as pass precision and the awkward menu system.

Graphics: 8.3
The coach models need a lot of work, but the college courts are in detail and the crowds are wild.

Sound: 9.0
Realistic audience sound effects boasting customizable chants and good commentary make College Hoops sound very realistic.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard

Concept: 8.5
It’s College Basketball baby, show your colors!

Multiplayer: 9.2
College Hoops does basketball gaming right on Xbox Live with tournaments, leagues, and lag-free gameplay.

Overall: 8.6
Unlike some developers, Visual Concepts continuously improves upon its tried-and-true 2K Sports game formula. I really enjoyed the create-a-chant option and Team Unity adds to the simulation experience by measuring how the team works together. It has the most solid gameplay system I have ever experienced in a basketball game and a lot of fun!