Critic Reviews
| 90 |
GamePro
While the series has strayed from its hardcore sim roots pioneered by Coach K College basketball way back in the Genesis’s heyday, it at least has defined an identity and found a fun formula as well.
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| 84 |
Sports Gaming Network
The atmosphere is there, but the game style, more so than a lack of animation or AI, is not correct.
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| 82 |
Operation Sports
Its fast and furious gameplay provides for an entertaining, if unsophisticated, arcade romp.
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| 80 |
Game Informer
Easily the best option for college hoops fans. [Jan 2003, p.96]
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| 80 |
Play Magazine
Gameplay is exactly like "Live" (with EA's exclusive Freestyle Control), so players can expect fast, adrenaline-pumping gameplay. [Jan 2003, p.84]
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| 76 |
GameZone
This game does have appeal, but it isn't a strong reflection of the college game.
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| 75 |
Electronic Gaming Monthly
It's just an overall final layer of polish that keeps March Madness from the National Championship. [Jan 2003, p.176]
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| 73 |
GameSpot
EA Sports simply hasn't made enough gameplay changes to make it feel even remotely different from its NBA counterpart.
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| 71 |
IGN
A fast arcade experience for players who like their simulations anemic, it's not quite enough to compete with the excellent Visual Concepts vehicle in the least.
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| 70 |
PSM Magazine
The main downside of MM 2003 is its graphics... It's aggravating trying to play this game when the framerate and animations are so jittery. [Jan 2003, p.26]
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| 60 |
PSX Nation
The implementation of “NBA Live 2003’s” Freestyle Control doesn’t mesh perfectly with this particular engine’s loose physics. The sameness of the b-ball courts and annoying cutscenes from “Live 2003” don’t help the cause either.
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| 60 |
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
I feel like nothing I do matters. The game is completely out of control. [Jan 2003, p.138]
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| 50 |
Cheat Code Central
Too slick for its own good and offers little of the gritty reality of college basketball.
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