NCAA Football 2003 (Original Xbox) by Electronic Arts



NCAA Football 2003 (Xbox) by Electronic Arts Box Art




North Amercian Release Date: July 22, 2002.

Region(s) Released: North America

High Definition Resolutions Supported: 480p
Widescreen Supported (16:9): Yes
System Link Support: No

Average Overall Score:
8.71 / 10
87.1%


It's on and poppin' baby!!!"

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Description

NCAA Football 2003 returns for another year of legendary rivalries, emotional upsets, and unique college gridiron action. See and feel the difference that separates the pageantry of college football from the pro game. Only EA SPORTS delivers the tradition and spirit of college football’s storied programs, with intense rivalries at 117 Division 1-A and 27 Division 1-AA schools across the country. Control all the action on the field with defensive swats, stiff-arm broken tackles, fake-out moves, and much more. NCAA Football 2003 - it’s what college football is all about.

User Reviews

Score: 87
Overall User Average: 8.63 / 10 (87.1%)
Gameplay User Average: 8.52 / 10
Graphics User Average: 8.24 / 10
Sound User Average: 8.30 / 10
MikeMan91389
Date reviewed: December 15, 2003.

Overall: This game is so fun. I love the multiplayer, its just so cool. I really like how everything comes together to make an awesome football game. It just awesome. Im not kidding. First time i played it at his house, we played all night.
Gameplay: The gameplay is awesome. We started a Double Dynasty, so we each had a team, and played the games every weekend. I just had so much fun. Oh yeah, you cant for get the Mascot games. Haha. those are just soo much fun.
Graphics: The graphics in this game are good. Just like Madden. EA has great graphics, however, dont beat out ESPN. Eitherway, EA has the best college football game. I have noticed that when the running back has the ball, it actually looks in his arm, instead of floating, which means a bright futurE!
Sound: The sound in this game is a typical football game. I would give it a five, but then i played ESPN NFL 2k4. This game does have cool comentary, and the first round of sayings is really funny. There are a ton, so you dont hear repeats everygame, and i like that a lot.
Suggestions: None, and NCAA Football 2004 is PIMP


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %

metalmulisha13
Date reviewed: November 4, 2003.

Overall: This game is AWESOME!!! I rented it for the weekend, and couldnt put it down. I wanted to buy it SOOO BAD, but I was low on cash. Now that the price dropped, its in xbox library.
Gameplay: This game is so addicting. Once you start, it is really hard to stop. I especially enjoyed the trophy rooms. It took me quite awhile to get all the trophies, but thats what happens to you when a game is this good.
Graphics: GREAT visuals. I love how the players look and the field itself. The players look right. Not to big, not to small.
Sound: Sound is great. I really like how they (EA) included all the schools fight songs. It never gets old listening to your favorite teams fight song.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

Wilddude234
Date reviewed: November 4, 2003.

Overall: Another sports game by EA. Sports games are so dumb. Watch em or play them outside. Never play them on a console.
Gameplay: Nothing origional. An exact replicaof every other sports football game out there. GET A NEW CONCEPT!
Graphics: Decent. So I will give it a 2.0. Once again it is the same as last year's in this category too. Why buy these games if the will be upgraded in a year!
Sound: Annoying announcers. Cheesey tackles and grunts from the players. Unorigional once again. Boring!!!
Suggestions: NEW CONCEPT!!!


Overall: 20 %
Gameplay: 50 %
Graphics: 40 %
Sound: 40 %

xj74
Date reviewed: October 25, 2003.

Overall: An excellent college football game with a great atmosphere. I am a Sega fan when it comes to NFL games but EA definitely owns the NCAA crown. I actually bought this game when it came out last year and then a few months later sold it thinking I was done with it. Recently I got a hankering for it again and bought it for $15 on half.com (this time I'll keep it for good).
Gameplay: Gameplay is well done with some minor problems. The overall package is good with straight forward play calling, kicking, passing, and rushing. My only major complaint is the turbo button is B on defense and A on the Offense and can be confusing durning heated moments. At the same time the controls are easy enough for a novice to jump in play fairly well at same time offering enough depth for an advanced player to pull of some really technical moves and strategies. My most favorite feature of EA's Football games are stats tracking. My brother and I are extremely competitive and I love how this game keeps in depth stats on our records versus each other and against the computer. During the game it even brings up statistics on win/loss record, yards per game, etc between us. At the main menu we can go to My NCAA and compare our records to each other, bottom line it is an excellent feature aimed at hardcore football enthusiasts.
Graphics: Everything is good looking with good decals and textures. A nice touch is that the uniforms gradually get dirty as the game progresses. Sometimes the framerate dips when all the players are on the screen at once, but doesn't affect gameplay. Overall it has a PS2ish look to it.
Sound: Good, smooth, mostly on the spot commentary. The sound of the bands and fans fills the background and adds a nice touch to the atmosphere.
Suggestions: Remap the controls to have the basic controls for defense and offense be the same like Sega.


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 70 %
Sound: 80 %

X-Box23
Date reviewed: October 22, 2003.

Overall: Awesome game. Play as any of the 117 teams. Get bonus teams or create a team. Create a player. 30 season dynasy mode. Rivalry games. Ummm... this game is cool. The only bad thing is that by law they don't put the players names. Just puts like: QB #8. Go cougars.
Gameplay: Great! Easy controls. Very fun. Play anything from 1-15 minute quarters or even play just an overtime. Junior Varsity mode really easy heisman mode really hard. Great job EA.
Graphics: Great graphics. Nice stadiums. Nice players. Nice weather. Ummmmmmmm.... are you ready for some football?
Sound: Great sound. Announcers have good comments. Has teams fight songs. You can pump up the crowd. Once again good job EA.
Suggestions: I'll sleep on this one...


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 50 %
Sound: 100 %

treyz3
Date reviewed: May 10, 2003.

Overall: Great game and everything just makes you come back for more. This is the best football game I've played for the Xbox, much better than the Madden release for this year.
Gameplay: Gameplay is great. The atmosphere is about as close to a college football stadium as you can get. The gameplay is all very realistic, though on occassion you still get some of the freak things that happen (balls passing though people, etc.).
Graphics: The visuals in this game are great. The uniforms are magnificent looking and so are the stadiums. As you move through the game, you pick up grass stains and other wear and tear. The field ac !&%$@#* ulates these as well.
Sound: The commentary by Kirk Herstreit and Lee Corso is great. You only get those if your a "major" team playing another major, but it's very entertaining most of the time. The on-field sounds are very good as well.
Suggestions: Online play via Xbox Live. Bigger rosters would be helpful as well.


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %

Chogori
Date reviewed: February 18, 2003.

Overall: No game has spent as much time in my box as this one. But, then again, I'm a college football addict. If you have similar tastes, and haven't picked this up, do so soon (or wait a couple more months for 2004). This is the total college football experience
Gameplay: While in a FB game, the action is realistic and exciting. For the running game, you should tailor your recruiting and play calling to the way you like to play. If you, like me, like to mash the A button to break tackles and sprint, make sure to get big, strong lineman and running backs, and call a lot on dives and off tackles. If you're into the speed, spinning, and juking thing, you need to get agile OLmen and fast RBs. The passing game and the defense can similarly be tailored to fit your playing style (I throw it deep and blitz alot respectively).
Graphics: Pretty good. The bodies of the players are fairly realistic and the stadiums (including some cool sunsets) look good. 2 gripes: 1) the fans are 2D and look stupid, and 2) since when are there only 10 guys on each sideline for a FB team?
Sound: Again, the in game sounds are exciting. You will actually feel the bone-crunching hits with your sub-woofer. The crowd and the PA add excitement to the experience. I would have like to hear more fight songs though. Not all of the schools have all their songs and chants.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %

Kev Van Dam
Date reviewed: December 12, 2002.

Overall: I enjoyed the game I'm not really a HUGE football game type of fan but when I started playing this game I loved every minute of it and couldnt stop playin. Even though I can only play a 2min each quarter Miami vs. Texas demo game I still love playin every moment hopefully ill get this game for chirstmas. I highly recommend this game and I can just imagine how the other options are and how addictive those will be when I buy the game.
Gameplay: GAME PLAY IS AWESOME AND LUV EVERY MINUTE OF THIS GAME....EVEN THOUGH LIKE I SAID IM NOT A HUGE FOOTBALL GAME TYPE OF FAN BUT I DO WATCH FOOTBALL AND THAT IS HOW I GOT READDICTIVE TO FOOTBALL GAMES...SOO TRUST ME YOU WILL ENJOY IT AFTER U PLAY IT FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.
Graphics: When i was playin this demo game when I had company they all thought i was watchin a football game on TV and never thought of it as a video game until I told them...So i think this game has awesome visuals b/c it looks just like the tv games but ofcoarse there is some differences and stuff but you know what I mean. I think this game has the BEST DAMN GRAHPICS FOR A SPORTS GAME ON XBOX!!! AND BEST FOOTBALL GAME FROM WHAT IVE PLAYED SO FAR!!
Sound: I dont really care much of the sound but I say the sound is awesome and the announcers are very realistic for each plays and tell it like it is and talk like if your watchin the game on TV and its not really a game.
Suggestions: YOU SHOULD DO LIKE MADDEN WHERE U CAN MAKE YOUR OWN PLAYS THAT WOULD BE OFF THE HOOK


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %

wbio
Date reviewed: November 17, 2002.

Overall: I love this game! I didn't think I would like it too much because I had never liked the Madden games too much, but this is great.
Gameplay: Great gameplay, It's really adictive. I keep renting it over and over again because I've got a whole bunch of free rental coupons.
Graphics: The graphics are ok, but not great. It is basically just a PS2 port. I wish EA had put a little more work into the graphics.
Sound: Great sound, I love hearing the players being hit on the field. I think the announcers are pretty good, but I wish there would be some announcers on games that aren't televised. They could have different lines, so it sounds like it is on the radio.
Suggestions: Make the player entrances more realistic (not just eleven guys coming onto the field). Commentators on non-televised games. Make it a little harder to pass.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %

RathitzTretz
Date reviewed: November 15, 2002.

Overall: This game is completely awesome. This is easily the best college football game ever made, and one that the pro games should have looked to because honestly, the pro games were not very good this year.
Gameplay: The gameplay is solid and responsive. It is very easy to learn and understand. There are only a few issues I had with the gameplay, and that is just to speed up the characters a little bit.
Graphics: THIS GAME HAS AWESOME GRAPHICS!! I was awed when I first played this game. I have never seen a college game look so good. The mascots and player details are very detailed. Normally, college games looked rushed and the graphical quality is low, but this game looked just as good as Madden 2003.
Sound: The sound in this game is good, but could be better. I would like to see some better announcers next year. These ones were good in the sense that they had a lot of different phrases, but next year I want more funny phrases and also a little more excitement. I want to hear the accouncer get excited when I make a great play.
Suggestions: Keep on making the series better, pumping up the graphics and making the announcers better. Make some harder hitting tackles and also make it so that when someone is diving with the ball, if you hit them they stop or even fly back instead of just keeping on diving forward. Also, work out some of the gameplay issues, making the game run smoother and a little bit faster. Make this game and Madden compatible with system link and XBox Live. Also, try to name the players instead of just giving them numbers. Also, make it so that this game and Madden can both update themselves by going online and getting the new roster changes every year and updated stats.


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %

oddworld20-3000
Date reviewed: November 3, 2002.

Overall: The game is good but I don't really like the controls. To tight and awkward and the announcers can talk better and the graphics can be improved. If that happens a perfect game will happen.
Gameplay: The gameplay is fun with collecting trophys, mascots game, rivary games, and two players.
Graphics: Graphics are same as Madden players look skinny and not the best.
Sound: The sound is alright kind of boring after in a while. The announcers are no that very good compared to fever of Nfl 2k3.
Suggestions: College football can be good.


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %

Zachman123
Date reviewed: October 19, 2002.

Overall: The best non LIVE football game for X-Box... Lots of modes and features
Gameplay: Quick, easy controls, but still enough competition
Graphics: Good graphics
Sound: Detailed, changing commentary. Lots of it


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 100 %

Glennman8
Date reviewed: September 19, 2002.

Overall: This game IS College Football. No other game can touch the realism and pure fun it is to play as your favorite college, or even a college of your creation.
Gameplay: Gameplay is fluid and perfect. The A.I. really works great in the game. I have yet to find a "money" play that will work every time because the defense anticipates things well.
Graphics: Graphics are not best in breed, but they are still nice. The key thing that takes the visuals on this game to a 5.0 is the animations. They are so well put together that every single tackle looks a bit different, with both players' animations seeming to combine a little different each time to make a uniquely realistic impression.
Sound: Announcers are a bit lame, but the depth of announcing is nice. The crowd sounds and the sounds of pads on the field, other sounds are outstanding.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %

MrFootball
Date reviewed: September 18, 2002.

Overall: Overall, I have to say this game has more good than bad, but if you sit down and look at where NFL2k and Fever2003 are heading, EA Sports may be out of juice next year. Ever since the first NCAA football game came out for PS2, it has basically looked and felt the same for the past 3 years. Now, NFL 2k3 is totally different than the very first of the sega series. As for Fever, it didn't start out as well as the EA Sports did, but I think it is headed in a better direction than EA Sports. This is a good football game, but ever since Fever and 2k3 came out, you have to wonder, does this really look and feel like a good football simulation? Compared to others, I think it gets a rating of about 75 out of 100. But, were not here to compare this game with others, so let's move on.
Gameplay: These player models really do move like real life people, except for the fact that they move just a little bit on the slow side, and it is noticable. Whenever I was running the ball I hit a spin move, and it was like watching the guy in slow motion on a replay. As far as throwing the ball the computer is a little smarter than it has been, and they did a good job with the passing game this year. Bottom line, players move like they are covered in jello or something, but it's o.k.
Graphics: Very good player models and stadiums. I especially like at the beggining of a game when the players come out of the tunnel and run into the crowd. They could beef up some of the players a little, but overall these are some good graphics. Well, except for the faces, sometimes they just look too cartoony for me.
Sound: Good comentary and sound effects. I have no complaint here on really anything about the sound appeal. Football is football, as long as you have an ok commentary, a roaring crowd, and good sounding hits, I won't be complaining.
Suggestions: Speed up gameplay a little for next year. The moves that the players have on right on target, but they just don't have the right speed. Overall, great game, but watch for the cartoon look. Remember, your suppose to be getting more real-life each year, not sticking with the same thing over and over again.


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 70 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %

TheHaloMafia
Date reviewed: September 17, 2002.

Overall: The gameplay is very good, along
with everything else. the only
knock on it is the crowds, and how
hard it is sometimes to defend the
pass, but besides that its
top-notch.
Gameplay: I like the style of gameplay, it is
very comfortable. It took me
awhile to get used to running with
my QB, but it helps a lot when you
have 20+ yards in front of you.
Graphics: Very nice, I don't liek the graphics
on Fever, because it makes the
players all bent over with huge
asses, its very nice.
Sound: very nice, I like the fight songs and
the sounds of the crowd. i alwso
like the announcers, they're very
funny to listen to sometimes,
unless you're in the fourth quarter,
you're leading, and your receiver
drops the ball, then it get annoying
when they call you a retard
because you didn't want to run.
Suggestions: make the crowds more realistic,
on-line play please, defensive
secondary much harder.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %

djbuddha
Date reviewed: August 31, 2002.

Overall: There is no sport like College Football. The atmosphere is simply amazing. No money BS, only pride driving the athletes. I was very excited to pick up this game, and I wasn't disappointed. This is definately the best football game that I've ever played.
Gameplay: This game uses the Madden system of play, which is already a recipe for success. Everything seems to be here, even the ability to run the option, which adds much to the game. The only big problem is the receiver catching passes in heavy coverage.
Graphics: The level of visual detail in this game is simply amazing. Players get dirt on their uniforms during the game, and in closeups you can even see the mesh holes in their jersey. Absolutely Top-Notch
Sound: The sounds of College Football are there . . . the bands, the crowd, chants, and hits. Only drawback is not having enough commentary.
Suggestions: Add in some more commentary. Plus the players actual names should be in the game. Its a big pain to try and rename players manually. I doubt there would be a college football player that would object to having their name in the game.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 90 %

rollypop
Date reviewed: August 12, 2002.

Overall: EA SPORTS NCAA 2003 was very appealing to me. I had purchased and played so many football titles in my time. Of course I was going to get this. Since I had gotten my xbox I had been playing NFL Fever 2002 which I thought was fantastic, until I played this. This game is even more appealing now that I have played it non stop for days. This football game is the greatest thing I have ever seen. No other title anywhere comes close to it. This is the best of the best. And another thing. I will never stop playing it. With dynasty mode I will never be seen in public again. Thank goodness for delivery !
Gameplay: The gameplay is incredible. I have never played another game where the computer is like plying another person. I loved NFL Fever 2002, but nothing can touch the almost real like football games. You are never bored, the computer will beat you in any game. Not to mention you can adjust the degree of difficulty so many ways to make the game perfect. This is real life. So many different tackles,, im wasting my time. Gameplay is almost perfect ! And the only reason I said almost is because if there is a way for them to make improvements I want them too !!
Graphics: This game will blow you away. The graphics are tremdously awesome. Many times I forget Im playing a football game. Its more like being in control of an actual sporting event. Look the only way the graphics could be better is if the game was a dvd movie of ANY GIVEN SUNDAY.
Sound: HA ! This is funny ! Look the sound is purrfect !! To many different types of sound to even mention ... The crowd sounds awesome, the players hitting and smacking one another out on the field.. I love this game we call pigskin.
Suggestions: I have no idea ! Maybe make it where the user can change the button configuation. It took me a whole season to start hitting the intercept button. Just try to make this game even better if its possible, and talk those people into letting you have their names. It is a pain to add a billion names for the players.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

Bryce Butler
Date reviewed: August 10, 2002.

Overall: NCAA 2003 proves to be a very enjoyable college game. It captures the pomp of the college game right down to the nubile co-ed cheerleaders on the sidelines. Better yet, it features the varying playing styles of the college game nicely. However, the graphics still leave something to be desired, especially with the power of the XBox at the EA's disposal, and makes you wish Microsoft put out a college game to challenge it. The in-game sound and commentary save this game.
Gameplay: Good on the whole but a bit hard to run, which is the bread and butter of the college game. For example, you can control a stout 220 pound bruiser with a 90 rating and he'll get absolutely clothes lined at the line of scrimmage like he's a skinny WWF villain. Passing is nicely done in this game though. Defense proves a bit difficult as tackling can be a chore to get in position, but when done properly is oh so pleasing. The hitting in this game is possibly the only thing that brings it close to NFL Fever. The biggest problem with defense is that pursuit angles sometimes seem unnatural. You take your fastest DB and try to track down their fullback rolling out into the flat and he still will undershoot the guy. Very wierd... The play diagramming and on-field coaches camera is a great feature to help get your defense set. Lastly, the plethora of shifts on the defensive line, linebackers, and secondary makes this game a lot of fun scheming against the opposition's offense.
Graphics: Good but not great. Stadiums and crowds detract from the improvement EA has made in the players. Although it is an improvement over previous college games it still lacks the upper-tier graphics available courtesy of the XBox's power. My first question is what's up with the limited number of camera angles? There's only four, pitifully few for the XBox. Moreover, EA needs to learn from the makers of NFL Fever so their next offering does not look so much like a PS2 port. The stadiums, another major facet of the college game, are nice but incomplete. The litmus test for this area of graphics is Husky Stadium in Seattle. For fear of having to spend the effort detailing the lake behind the end zone EA simply puts up a shroud of trees. Very disappointing. The crowd in this game is pathetic. Every game is like playing in front of 2D cardboard cutouts that writhe and undulate in identical directions. Lastly, the cheerleaders, which admittedly are another major part of the college game, move nicely but suffer from polygon deficiency also. Nice try EA, instead of giving us more features please give us better graphics.
Sound: Surprisingly good. I hate Lee Corso but the combination of him, Kirk Herbstreit, and Brad Nessler make for great play by play and commentary. When you watch the "making of" section of the game and realize how they put the commentary together it is even more amazing. In game the pump up/quiet down the crowd feature is nice. However, late in the game the crowd seems to go flat. Flat out the best part of this game is the gameplay sounds. EA does an excellent job matching up the visual and the audio especially with hitting. The audio makes you wonder if your ball carrier, quarterback, or other unlucky player will ever walk, let alone play football, again. Great job EA!
Suggestions: 1. CONCENTRATE ON GRAPHICS! I will not buy another EA game until graphics are reworked. The other options are nice but do I really care how many yards rushing #19 of San Jose State has (no offense Spartan fans).
2. Work on offense. Running the ball should not be so difficult especially at the college level.
3. Work on the angles in the game. The physics are great but something is awry with how players act in pursuit closing in on ballcarriers.
4. The play diagramming and on-field coaches camera is great. This combined with the adjustments a team can make on defense make this game a keeper. I wish other game developers would take notice of these features.
5. Keep up the good sound work EA!


Overall: 80 %
Gameplay: 80 %
Graphics: 50 %
Sound: 100 %

robnyack
Date reviewed: August 9, 2002.

Overall: This game is DA BOMB! I am a lifelong pursuer of the perfect football game, and I'll be !&%$@#* ed if this is as close as I've ever seen to the perfect football game. This is my first time with a college football game, and I gotta tell you, the dynasty mode blows away any franchise mode you get in any pro game. GREAT game play, GREAT graphics, Really good commentary, really fun, deep and involving dynasty mode. Just an excellent football game.
Gameplay: great gameplay. playing a game is competative and fun. The best part of this game is the dynasty mode. What a fantastically deep involving fun mode. Blows away any pro game mode. The off-season recruiting is as much fun if not more than actually playing your games. I find I can't wait to get thru my season and to the offseason.

Bowl system is very nice. Two polls rank teams throughout the season.

Love this game. Love it.
Graphics: player graphics are very good. Stadiums looks excellent, even the crowds look fairly decent. Mascots are cool, cheerleaders, coaches. Very nicely done.
Sound: Great commentary. might be the best I've heard in football games. What is cool, games are either nationally covered, regionally covered, or not carried on TV at all. On the TV games, you get 3 great announcers...Lee Corso is very good. But, on games that are not on TV, all you get is the stadium announcer. No TV crew to cover the game. Very cool. All your favorite college music fight songs are there, and sound terrific and the 5.1 is excellent.
Suggestions: just kep adding the depth to the dynasty mode. The more involved the more fun. Also, keep adding stuff to the game...more sideline activity.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 100 %

High_Flyer
Date reviewed: August 8, 2002.

Overall: I admit, I am a real football fan when it comes to console games. I also have Fever 2002, Fever 2003, NFL2K2, and Madden 2002. And yes, I will be buying Madden 2003 next week. I have learned certain lessons though - and I will not be buying NFL2K3 or NCAA2K3 this go around. But make no mistake, NCAA 2003 is easily the best football game for the console to date.
Gameplay: When I first picked up NCAA 2003 I thought it was an ok game, but nothing special. But the more I played the game the more I realized just how good it really is. There is tremendous diversity (skill levels and play styles) in college ball and this game captures it perfectly. The college atmosphere is also captured beautifully. And while I didn't think that would make much of a difference at first, I found that it really does. The gameplay options you have are staggering. But what really makes this game awesome is the dynasty mode (including a very thorough of-season recruiting process).
Graphics: The graphics are OK, but nothing like what they could be. It looks like PS2 graphics on an XBOX (big surprise). It really likes the polish and lighting effects that the Fever games have. But the player animations make up for the lack of "eye candy." The animations are very varied and very appropriate. There is a little of the "floating on the surface" here and there but that is quickly ignored. Further (and this really should have gone under gameplay), the physics are very, VERY, good. If I shoulder charge someone bigger than me head on I get thrown back, but if I catch him on his side he'll spin off to one side as my course is pushed out the other way. Tackle a guy up high and he'll slam flat on his back, hit him low and he'll flip over you. Once you get the hang of it you can use these very realistic physics to make great runs up the middle breaking and shrugging off multiple tackles.
Sound: On field sounds are pretty good and the announcers are good as well. There is a lot more variety in the announcers comments in this game that most (though I expect Madden 2003 will win that race). But since I've played over 50 games already, I have come to expect what to hear on each play.
Suggestions: There are only two things they have to do to make NCAA 2004 truly awesome: 1) Online play; and 2) take advantage of the XBox graphics capabilities.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %

darkness2000
Date reviewed: August 8, 2002.

Overall: Sport game are always on the top chart but it is because you are all football fan. Nobody will rent a game that when you start it you are bored. So i decide to make the first review of a somebody who hate football. Finally i got something to say and it's that this game suck a lot. I played more original game on n64. It's always the same and it's boring.
Gameplay: The gameplay is pretty good because it's reflect football itself. A lot of tactic team and thing to do but i just don't care because they are not upgrading to a next version, they stay on the same step.
Graphics: Nfl Fever 2003 will be release soon, so this game got cool graphic but wait until this game i am sure that most gamer will buy fever instead of this game.
Sound: Yes cool sound and music but i saw better !
Suggestions: Stop wasting your time fever is better than you !


Overall: 40 %
Gameplay: 30 %
Graphics: 70 %
Sound: 50 %

Marc
Date reviewed: August 6, 2002.

Overall: NCAA 2003 is by far the best college football game ever created. I've had some issues with Electronic Arts and their somewhat lukewarm support of the xbox, but this game almost makes up for their lack of effort. There is so much detail in NCAA Football 2003, from the fight songs to the Bowl coalition points. The Dynasty mode gives you literally years of gameplay. If not for roster changes and such, this would be the last college football game I would ever buy because it would last forever.
Gameplay: The gameplay is sweet. It took a little time to get used to the controls, but now they feel like second nature. The difficulty levels are perfect. The game isn't impossible to play at the hardest level, but it isn't too easy either. The option and other forms of running are much improved. Once you learn how to follow the blocker and hit the right hole, you'll be running at will. The passing game is as perfect as I've ever seen. I'm really glad that the receivers will make an effort to get a foot down if possible instead of just making a normal catch out of bounds. The Dynasty mode, as I previously stated, gives you years of gameplay. I have noticed some slowdown on goalline offense, but it is minimal. The ability to have a mascot game will appeal to some for a change of pace. This could be the last football game a gamer buys, if not for the neccessary roster changes and occassional slowdown. You really cannot ask to much more from EA in terms of gameplay. Oh yeah, there is one little thing...ONLINE PLAY! It is really inexcusable that EA doesn't support xbox live. Think of the options if that were available...online leagues and bowl games. The endless possibilities boggle the mind...
Graphics: Although the visual appeal of NCAA 2003 is pretty good, I still found it somewhat lacking and I'll tell you why. As good as the game looks, it only looks a little better than the PS2 version. The xbox is capable of making this game look much better if only EA would make the freakin effort. Sad lack of effort on their part.
Sound: The sound of NCAA 2003 is excellent. Thank the powers that be at EA for at least adding the Dolby 5.1 support. The commentary gets a little stale after a while ,but it is still pretty good commentary. The fight songs are accurate and sound great. The sound effects on hte field are off the hook. The sound couldn't be much better, except for one major glitch. The weather effects do not work in 5.1. In Madden 2002, when it rained, you heard it all around you in all 5 speakers. In NCAA 2003, you hear it in just the center speaker. This is really unacceptable. I mean, how hard would that have been to fix?
Suggestions: Fix the 5.1 so the rain can be heard all around you. Add online play and xbox live support. Somehow make it easier to add the player names instead of their numbers. I know it is an amateur sport and all, but I bet every NCAA player out there would sign a waiver for his name to appear on a video game. Add online play and xbox live support.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 80 %

ssfoxhound
Date reviewed: August 5, 2002.

Overall: If your a college football fan you'l love this game. EA has come through big on this one. The gameplay is smooth and the sound is great.
Gameplay: Very easy to control. compared some other football games, making a reception is actually easy. This game looks and sounds awsome.
Graphics: The graphics are very smooth. Just wait till you lay the running back out and his helmet pops off. The replay is great to watch.
Sound: Commentary isn't to bad. The hitting sounds are awesome. It would be better if you could taunt the opposition after you get a sack or a touchdown.
Suggestions: I only checked out the demo and from it I can only say. "Keep up the good work, the game is awsome".


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %

aliaga61
Date reviewed: August 4, 2002.

Overall: This is a much anticipated, solid game all around. First off, the level of detail that went into this game is amazing. From the actual players' information to the stadiums and their surrounding environments, this must have taken forever to accomplish. The computer AI and the smooth graphics make this game i must have for any college football lover. This is by far the best football game i have played so far. Much has improved since Madden 2002.
Gameplay: Where do i start...

First off, the offense. The running game is much better. When running from one direction to the other, you no longer have the sudden change. It actually takes a second to pivot, and rebuild your momentum like it would in real life. Breaking tackles is more realistic as well. The passing game has improved also. The players actually try to stay inbounds when catching the ball near the sidelines (Madden didn't do this and it drove me crazy!!). One complaint i have about the option is that when the QB is running towards the sidelines, many times the HB continues to run out of bounds instead of running up field to block or take a last second pitch. Other than that one exception, the option is run beautifully.

As for the defense... The tackling has improved quite a bit, from the way the defense wraps the player up (grabbing at the knees, legs, or whatever they can get a hold of) to the way the offense reacts to the tackle. the computer AI is great, from pass coverage to attempts at intercepting the pass. You can no longer run in one direction and magically jump in the other direction to tackle a guy, you now have to use your strafe button to break down in front of the guy if you want to attempt this (I absolutely love this, although it is tough at times).

Graphics: The graphics are great as usual and even better this time around. The detail in both the players and the stadiums are amazing. The chearleaders are kind of a cool addition to the game, as well as the mascots (but no leprechaun for Notre D are a couple of things that could use some improvement. like in Madden, the players in NCAA tend to run through each other (this is mostly noticed in replays and in between plays). This also happens with the ball running through players. During one play, i fumbled the ball and it actually passed through my stomach and out my butt (which was sort of cool, however unusual). Also, after the play is over the players tend to knock down the people on the sidelines by barely touching them (looks like bad acting to me).
Sound: The sound is really good for a football game. The rain sounds real, the QB's cadences sound good, and the hits sound pretty good as well. I love the fight songs and the crowd chants.

Some notre dame specific complaints: There could be some more chants thrown in though, and in the game they play the fight song after both a touch down and an extra point (where's the song the really play after a touch down (not sure what the name is)). And finally, where is the "Go Irish" chant during kick offs?
Suggestions: Some minor improvements could be made with the visuals, such as the players running through each other and more accurate player entrances. Improvements on the post play AI could be made so that people on the sidelines aren't getting knocked around for no reason. Some additional detail to extra sounds could be made. Online play would be a wonderful addition!

This might seem like a lot of suggestions, but all in all, this is a wonderful game! Job well done.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 90 %
Sound: 80 %

Swerve
Date reviewed: August 4, 2002.

Overall: NCAA is a nice football game for the xbox.It has been polished from last years game just a tad bit. But its also the first college football game 4 xbox so i cant complain.
Gameplay: The game play is additive when u have lots of friends. Who like college football games. The Legacy mode is perfect! Thats the way it should be for a lot of these games.
Graphics: Now the visual is probaly the worst part of the game. I mean come on here this is Xbox where talking about here. This game looks 2 !&%$@#* close to the other systems. But its still pretty nice graphics but could have been a 1000 times better.
Sound: The sound is pretty good. Its on the money with the hits and the fight songs. The one thing they could have added though was player voices.
Suggestions: I really dont have any complaints but the graphics. Your playin with the power of xbox not PS2 or Cube.


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 70 %
Sound: 100 %

Ren37
Date reviewed: July 30, 2002.

Overall: If you buy this game you are dumb ! Nfl fever 2003 is coming and it's really better than this crap. The true football is better than some stupid students who are playing the same game. Why he rent it ? Prefer some crazy game than this !&%$@#* !
Gameplay: Mouahahahahahaa ! No where close from nfl fever 2002. I got both and in the oldest game you got more to do and more tactics.
Graphics: I must admit this is better than Nfl fever but the 2003 version is coming so don't lose your money on that !
Sound: There no good somg here or voices ! I can laugh loud and clear !
Suggestions: Ncaa suck i am losing my money with you !


Overall: 50 %
Gameplay: 30 %
Graphics: 60 %
Sound: 40 %

Aggie05
Date reviewed: July 29, 2002.

Overall: This is really a great game. I've been waiting for a good college football game for some time now and it looks like EA has made a good one here.
Gameplay: If you've played a Madden game recently, you'll pick up NCAA Football 2003 real quick. The best addition to the game is the college playbook. More plays and more teams make this game fun to play for a long time. The trophy room is an impressive addition to this game as well, as you get to show off all your rivalry wins or championship trophys. Playing through a season as your favorite college makes the game more personal.
Graphics: Like everyone else has said, this game isn't as good as it could have been. Compared to the graphics the Xbox is capable of, this is a little subpar. But still, the graphics are good, the characters look real and the cheerleaders are a plus. The crowd could use a lot of work. All this graphics power and the crowds look like cardboard cutouts...
Sound: The sound is amazing. The fight songs are amazing and the crowds noise get you into the game. Expanded commentary doesn't sound quite as cheesy as former football incarnations. One complaint here is that EA would capture some more of the college band songs and maybe even the college yells. Only time will tell....
Suggestions: EA could investigate some colleges a little more. Maybe some more detail on each school would help. Things like more fight songs, and for goodness sakes, take the cheerleaders away from Texas A&M. Everyone knows (or they should, and do now) that A&M doesn't even have cheerleaders! They have Yell leaders! (I guess this is a little too picky). Also, the graphics could definatly use some improvement. Take advantage of everything the Xbox has to offer. Other than that, its a great game and I'll be enjoying it for a while to come.


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 100 %

shane
Date reviewed: July 29, 2002.

Overall: this is the best college football game out i played ncaa 2k last year was not as good as game. this years game is even better then last years
Gameplay: the gameplay is allmost like madden but thats not to bad i have the controller s its much better with this game then the big bulky one. you get the college plays that the real teams use wich is cool
Graphics: the graphics don't take advantage of the x-box's power att all but the stadiums look real i have season tickets to utah the stadium looks like the real thing. the lighting looks alot better then on the ps2 or gamecube. the players look real nice. but why do all the coaches look the same
Sound: the sound makes you feel like yopu are really at the game. from the band down to the cheering of the crowd. the commentary do not repeat has often as last years game
Suggestions: please i mean really please don't kis sonys butt anymore and make the look way better on the x-box without the minor slowdown


Overall: 90 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 80 %
Sound: 90 %

B1adez
Date reviewed: July 29, 2002.

Overall: WOWA!!!..excellent game, awesome!..This game is well worth the 50 i put down on it. I love everything they have done to the game!
Gameplay: gameplay is fast and smooth, They did really good to the AI this year, i have been playing it alot, and i can see the diffrence in this years version. Yea there is alittle bit of slow down when ya got 22 guys on the TV, but no-way at all does it mess up the game play! Gr8 job EA!
Graphics: The graphics are very very good, when they go up close to the guys face, it looks almost just like him, no blurring or nothing, they did a really good job on that, helmets,uniforms, stadiums, man they did it all! They all look very nice! only bad thing is the 2d crowd, but ey i'm not always looking at the crowd when i play anyways.
Sound: Man the sound, OMG! it's like im in the game, see i got surround sound on, and it feels like i'm at the game, that makes the game that much better!,, audio is awesome!, they got the right crew for it this year! they are always on the right topic. Also after a TD! the fight songs come to play!..man what a gr8 job they did on that! Crowd noises are also good aswell, man i can go on and on about this gr8 game!, but i can only put 500 characters, this is a must get game!
Suggestions: None at all, they did a really gr8 job on this game this year!, keep up the good work EA!


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 90 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

bbchs_trash
Date reviewed: July 29, 2002.

Overall: NCAA Football= Football at its best.

NFL Football= Players playing for money.

EA represents the difference between College and Professional football quite well. In fact, they represent it excellently. When I play this game I see the players laying it all on the line for that one touchdown, or that extra yard. You don't see you computer coach's coming on the field and punting the ball down the field on fourth and short. Of course, you'll get punts every so often, but when they need it, they push for it. I have watched numerous plays over and over again in the Replay Mode, because they impress me with the amount of detail and just plain eXcitement put into this game. When you break a tackle or two on a play you really get into the game and get eXcited. Continuously I can really get into the "zone" and drive down the field in that last minute to pull off an amazing defeat. And not once, no, not one single time have I blown out a ranked team. I have pulled out some major upsets, but if you play #1 Miami with #116 Air Force, don't expect to pull out a huge upset, because it's not going to happen!
Gameplay: Fast, detailed, and exciting. Comparison of Madden 2002 too NCAA College Football 2003 = Turtle to a Fox. This game suprised me with the way it really came out and moved extremely fast. I was pushing the ball down the field and making drive that ranged from 1 minute to 6 minutes. I have seen some outragous catches and some very frustrating broken tackles made, but I have also seen plays that come straight from a little 6 year olds dream. Have you ever dreamed of trying to make a catch in the endzone that was tipped and then swatted, only for you to dive out and make the grab? Well lace up your cleats because your dreams are coming true. Every animation that is in this game, EA has made it believeable. It really does impress you on how fast and how detailed the game is. You won't find those money plays that have been known to be in EA's game. Sometimes I can take my quarterback and make him look like Marshall Faulk, but the Defense will recognize and shape up. After getting run down the throat on, expect the defense to grit their teeth and close the door with that monster blitz that stops you in the backfield. The AI in this game is incredible, and they know exactly how to use their players.
Graphics: Honestly, it's not what it could be. But then again, it gets the job done. These graphics are more than good, but fall short of great. The crowd looks like crap. The players look incredible. The field looks incredible. Those cheerleader upskirts look in... oh wait, I meant the cheerleaders look incredible. Everything besides the crowd in this game is incredible. But that's just eye candy. Once you get this game in motion you are in for a treat. Once you see one of your players break the tackle of someone that is on your knees, you are in heaven. From the time he shoves the defenders head back and jumps over the the arm that he is stuck out, you are in heaven. This is every football fans dream world. Once you see that long ball get tipped, only to get caught again by your wide out, you are in heaven. I think EA might have made Football Heaven, because this is like the Chicago Bear glory days... pure extacy baby!
Sound: Fight Songs.

Three announcer booth.

A screaming crowd.

Screaming players.

And the sickening thud of players being popped like a chubby fat kid on his first day at Varsity Practice. This game gets right down to the nitty gritty and dishes it out. These sounds are incredible, especially when you find out the back story on the announcing team. They didn't record the commentary at the same time! But once it's all peiced together, it sounds like you and two of your friends having a conversation. And out of the 20+ hours I have played, I don't think I have heard more than 10 lines of repeated commentary.

The fight songs being played is awesome. But the greatest thing is hearing the crunch of the pads, because you only hear the loud ones when it was a huge hit...

Somebody better call Nestle because my players seem to have eaten up all the Crunch Bars by the look of things...
Suggestions: Make another? But please, for Christ's sake EA, make a differencial between PS2 graphics and Xbox. I realize you make that jaggies dissapear sometimes, but you really could put NFL Fever to shame if you mixed in half of the graphics of Fever and all of the Gameplay of your football titles...


Overall: 100 %
Gameplay: 100 %
Graphics: 100 %
Sound: 100 %

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