Electronic Arts continues their dominance in football video games with NCAA Football '07. College football has never been so fun to play, nor had this much depth.

Of course, you can setup some great matches between your favorite team and their hated rival. The video game looks great across the board - from the tackles to the camera pans - and it sounds great, too. Brad Nessler provides play-by-play with Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit offering varied color commentary, so it feels like you've got ESPN on.

It's the campaign modes that have really started to make the NCAA Football titles excel. The dynasty mode lets you control everything from recruiting to how the depth charts look after the spring game.

Apart from an easier-to-use analog-stick-based kicking system, gameplay on the field hasn't changed much from previous versions of NCAA Football, although the new momentum system reflects real-life games nicely. An interception or a fast touchdown boosts the momentum bar your way. With enough momentum, you gain overall bonuses for your team and can keep things going your way more easily.

Interestingly, there are some major differences between the various console versions of this video game. The Xbox 360 game of course offers improved graphics, but it also has a few added features such as a more interactive stadium crowd and a photo album that lets you snap shots during instant replays. But it lacks the major Create a Legend mode found in the Xbox and PS2 versions.

This mode lets you turn a young player into a superstar who will be remembered on campus forever. You control your player's action both on and off the field (through social events and classroom studies) and try to break the records and earn the championships that will bring him the laud and adoration of the masses.

It's not a sorely-missed part of the game, and the graphics and animations are much sharper on the Xbox 360 version so there are still a lot of compelling reasons to get it over other versions, but it is interesting that lines are being drawn between previous and next generation consoles.

Depending on your system, you could end up with a different video game than your buddy, but NCAA Football '07 is a great sports game no matter what console you're playing it on.



Pro: Great graphics, fun gameplay and campaign modes
Con: Not all console versions have all modes