March Madness 2005 Genre: Sports Platform: PlayStation 2 Publisher: EA Sports Price: $39.99 Four out of five stars

A warning to the nostalgic, the saps and the sentimental suckers: Don’t play ‘March Madness 2005.’ Because if they do, the rousing rendition of ‘One Shining Moment’ will surely leave them teary eyed. If game players can get over the initial emotion, ‘Madness’ will leave them equally amazed.

From the intro to the game play, ‘Madness 2005’ is the best college basketball game to date, and much better than its Electronic Arts predecessor, ‘March Madness 2004.’ The game is about as real as it gets, with real fight songs and back-flipping mascots.

One of the newest features allows gamers to be the Floor General, calling plays on the fly. They usually work to success, though the process of using the directional pad and the joystick is a little cumbersome. Also, EA has improved the dynasty mode. Now, gamers can enter the student bookstore and buy gear for a created player, or enter the hall of fame and access college basketball’s greatest teams.

But beware, the game is a lot tougher than in previous years. While there are four difficulty settings, the computer takes no mercy, even on the Varsity level.

The dynasty mode allows players to run their own program all the way through training camp to the NCAA Tournament. All the while, players receive text messages from the athletic director, boosters and recruits. You can use the services of alumni to help snag a prized recruit, but don’t commit any violations or the NCAA will be breathing down your back.

It all makes ‘Madness 2005’ about as real as it gets. Play it and be amazed. That is, if you can make it past the intro.

Published on December 5, 2004 at 12:00 pm