Prepare to be schooled, joystick jocks ... this stunning simulation crams countless semesters' worth of sports theory into a textbook award-winner. Or, in plain English, it's the most realistic representation of college ball yet.

Before you get into the game, take a moment to acquaint yourself with its new features--custom play calling, personalized celebrations, dynamic formation flips--via helpful tutorials. The most original enhancement: Chaotic crowds can make visiting teams suffer screen-shaking tremors and performance penalties. Athlete composure can be checked with a flick of the secondary joystick. Ferreting out potential ally/adversary mismatches therefore becomes crucial, as does buoying bruised egos during team timeouts.

Accurately representing all 117 Division I-A schools and stadiums, the package even goes so far as to greet players with their favorite squad's fight song upon start-up. Painstaking visuals--linemen stretch, coaches scowl, cheerleaders er ... cheer--and fluid commentary by Brad Nessler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso only amplify the experience's atmospheric charm.

Top off the outing with extensive online play options, hidden bonuses and hilarious movie clips, and a purchase proves mandatory. No title before or since so readily captures the sport's every nuance. One lone complaint: Beer and bratwursts sold separately.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Sporting News Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group