Sports Video Games

The EA Sports blockbuster football game is back with Madden NFL 08. Focusing on "weapons," in game events, and features from previous titles, Madden NFL 08 offers gamers another chance to create a dream season alone or in multiplayer competitions. The "weapons" returns, and gamers can now locate dangerous players by reading weekly scouting reports, watching player introductions, and by using trigger buttons before the snap on the field. There are a total of 24 different "weapons" and they include big hitters, defensive linemen, running backs, and catch receivers. Each "weapon" has a counter-weapon that gamers must uncover in order to bring a potentially destructive competitor down. However, by completing the mini-games in "Franchise" or "Owner" mode, players can alter the attributes for each team member.

On the field, a number of events return including hurdles, player celebrations, and defensive hot routes. Now when a competitor is gearing up to lunge for the legs of the ball carrier, gamers can hurdle over them and avoid going down. After jumping over his adversary, the carrier can then make his way to the end zone for a touchdown and a celebration animation. Gamers can select from 60 different signature moves including Chad Johnson's "River Dance," Rex Grossman's "Gator Chomp," and Dante Hall's "X." In the trophy room, players can revisit victories by viewing awards for rushing and passing records and multiplayer competitions. Additionally, gamers can now create different rings to earn as they progress through the game. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

NCAA Football 08 spends another season on the Xbox by adding a Campus Legend" mode where gamers must begin as a greenhorn high school player and work their way up in status and skill. After completing an all-star championship series against other regional high schools, players are presented with a list of colleges interested in having their abilities on the field. Gamers begin as the lowest rated team member, and must spend time earning practice points in order to advance up the roster. Players may spend their free time playing basketball, going to movies, or studying. On the field, gamers can influence other players and lead the action during plays with the Leadership Control. Improvements with the Hit Stick allow smaller players to low tackle larger opponents who sport shoulders of steel. Throughout the game there will be chances to spend some time on the field of 115 different stadiums, as well as study the playbooks of each collegiate football team. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

Major League Baseball 2K7 continues 2K Sports' annual series with an emphasis on a more lifelike presentation, from the player models and animations to the commentary and crowds. Individual faces and body types have been refined, with in-game stars sporting the same accessories, batting stances, and home run celebrations as their real-life counterparts. The prior season's "Inside Edge" scouting data is now linked to user control, resulting in a temporary stat boost for players who successfully follow an athlete's particular strengths at the plate or on the mound.

On the diamond, the defensive AI has been tweaked to allow for more accurate positioning, relays, and cutoff throws based on scoring situations and the batter's tendencies. A number of new animations have been incorporated into the defensive game, allowing for fluid throws, slick dives, and show-stopping grabs. The popular franchise mode from previous iterations returns with a team's success now tied to ticket prices, attendance numbers, news, and fan hype. Veteran broadcasters Jon Miller and Joe Morgan reprise their commentary duties, and online support is once again included for head-to-head competition in custom leagues and tournaments. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Control your favorite collegiate basketball team by acting as manager, coach, and player, or create your very own squad and school in College Hoops 2K7. "Legacy" mode offers improved recruiting tools and bracketology, along with customization options for uniforms, schools, logos, and arenas. Create your own crowd chant so that fans can intimidate an opponent's free throw or celebrate a slam-dunk during the last second of the game. Success relies on team chemistry, so make sure your squad is well balanced and includes veteran and rookie athletes who are also team players or on-court actions can become less than satisfactory.

Halftime provides an opportunity to adjust your game based on where improvements are needed most. During a game you can watch the action through the coach's eyes, allowing you to pace the sidelines, make substitutions, and call plays. If you don't lead your team to the finals, you can get involved in Post Season NIT to gather more experience for the next season. College Hoops 2K7 also includes NCAA record books and a weekly broadcast of College Hoops Tonight, hosted by digital versions of Greg Gumbel and Clark Kellog. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

Built on a new engine, Tony Hawk's Project 8 is designed to be the most complete and well-rounded game in the series to date. Tony and his crew are looking for eight promising skaters, so single-players in "Career" mode must show the pros they can grind, heel flip, and spin better than the competition. Gamers may select their avatar from one of five characters each with their own abilities and a specific trick, and then begin to complete the objectives found in each environment.

Missions range from grind challenges to bail contests, and each activity has several variations. Players may also hook-up with photographers for picture challenges that require skaters to perform tricks and follow instructions while keeping up with the cameraperson. "Puzzle" goals make players adjust the rails, vehicles, and other objects within the closed course to create a skate-able path to travel without touching the ground. A text messenger will also beep in from time to time to alert gamers to newly opened goals or contests.

An in-game feature called "Nail That Trick" allows a player to slow the action down as the character enters the air, so that gamers may create new skills or perfect old ones by using the avatar's feet to flip the board in any direction. "Nail That Trick" can be accessed at any time, and can be used to transition into the next combo. Of course, there is a "Free Skate" area where skaters can spend time practicing tricks and earning upgrades. Skill enhancing bonuses are given while players are in "Free Skate," and can increase such attributes as spins, vert tricks, grinds, and airtime. All progress can be viewed in the move chart. Players who want live competition can access the Internet and engage in two-player challenges, a new game called "Walls," and more. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

Putt, swing, and slice with some of the biggest names in golf as you travel to various real and fantasy courses in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07. Practice your swing, play against human opponents online, or gather a team of golfers and go head-to-head against Tiger Woods and his team of birdie-scoring buddies. The game features 21 courses including the Four Seasons Resort Avaira, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Riviera Country Club, the K Club, and more with in-game commentary provided by David Feherty and Gary McCord. Select your character from such golfers as Vijay Singh, Ian Poulter, Annika Sorenstam, and John Daly, or create your own character from a variety of clothing, facial features, equipment licenses, and specialty items.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 comes with several gameplay options including "Team Tour," "Career," "Practice," and mini-games such as One-Ball, Battle Golf, and more. Characters will no longer spend money to earn experience points, and will gain experience by spending time in the "Practice" area shooting from six different tee boxes. Performance of your skills on the practice green translates to improved character stats that carry over into your career game. You also have two types of swing styles, Standard and Swing Stick, and the game will adjust the difficulty based on how well you are playing. To aim your shot, look for the circular area with a size determined by such factors as attributes and club choice, and then take a shot towards your goal. Online play features three person tournaments, stat trackers, leader boards, the ESPN ticker, radio updates, and news. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

Featuring 520 teams and 27 leagues from around the world, FIFA Soccer 07 is designed to imitate reality with improvements to sound, player movement, receiving, shooting, fans, AI, and ball physics over the previous year's version. Trending toward a more organic form of gameplay, FIFA Soccer 07 focuses on realistic athletic movement by altering the way players receive, shoot, and pass the ball, with such options as basic shot mechanics and a "skill shot" button for attempting a bend or backspin. Computer-controlled players are programmed to make decisions on the fly, including formation changes.

You can manage an existing team or create your own. Mold it into a million-dollar franchise by overseeing the budget, player development, wages, and league standing in "Manager" mode. As a manager, you need to keep an eye on such elements as team chemistry, job security, and fan support. You can recruit young players directly from your own academy and acquire more experienced players from other teams, and then mix and match the two to give the greenhorns a chance to improve under the watchful eye of a seasoned pro.

Internet play features room for eight players and an added Interactive League competition that is intended to add more to the online community by exploiting rivalries and competitive spirit between two teams. The league is based on real soccer teams that include English Premiership, Bundesliga, France's LFP, and the Mexican First Division. Choose a team to represent, wait until the real-life team is playing another actual squad featured in the Interactive League, and then play against online supporters of the opposing team. EA will keep track of the winners and the leading team at the end of the week is declared the winner.

Normal online games in the FIFA Lounge include a handicap adjustment so expert gamers do not discourage newcomers to the FIFA soccer series. FIFA Soccer 07 features a soundtrack with artists from around the world including Blasted Mechanism, Boy Kill Boy, Carlos Jean, Elefant, Keane, Malibu Stacy, Mellowdrone, and Muse, among others. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

In NBA Live 07, players can try their luck at every aspect of professional basketball. "Dynasty" mode promotes players to GM status, and they must manage their team from the first game of the season to the finals. Gamers will scout promising players, initiate trades, and investigate rumors to keep their team running smoothly. Players can emulate basketball legends by re-creating their moves in the "Superstar Challenge," and with total freestyle control, players may change skill attributes on the fly by switching through a variety of moves. Gamers have a total of 24 performances to mimic successfully, and over 100 moves to experiment with. Accessing the Media Center through the Internet earns a player updates every 20 minutes for scores, breaking news, video footage, and even radio content like The Dan Patrick Show and Mike and Mike in the Morning. Also accessible through the Internet is the "All Star Weekend" that includes such games as a slam-dunk contest, a rookie challenge, and a three-point shootout. Calling the action throughout the game is legendary announcer Marv Albert and former player for the Chicago Bulls, Steve Karr. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

The NBA 2K series continues its Xbox run with refinements in the visuals, sound, and controls. The right analog "shot stick" introduced in NBA 2K6 returns for this installment, with players able to directly control specific shot types as well as steals, blocks, and more without having to press a button. The same flexibility is offered in the passing game, where players can choose to perform bounce passes or lobs. A more dynamic presentation with television-style camera angles is also an area of focus.

Yet the biggest change involves instilling a sense of personality into the league's biggest stars, embodied by new signature-style animations and player-specific moves. The VIP system that monitors a user's playing tendencies and performance returns, as does Xbox Live support for each of the main game modes. A revamped streetball game and tweaks to the franchise mode, dubbed the "Association," round out the list of improvements to the heralded hardwood simulation. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Step into the realistic arenas of NHL 07 to take the role of both player and general manager. The game features a career-like "Dynasty" mode in which you must negotiate contracts, set salaries, and trade team members as the general manager. On the ice, with the help of an improved game engine, teammates display more realistic movements and position-specific behavior. For example, an offensive defensemen will act and play differently than a sniper or power forward.

As your team gains experience, rookies' skills and abilities will increase and veterans can help maintain good morale. Commentary, including ever-changing storylines and team rivalries, is provided by Gary Thorne and Bill Clement. The returning "Skill Stick" feature allows you to snap a quick wrister, pull back for a slap shot, or move the puck to the left or right to deke defenders and goalies without ever taking your thumb off the stick. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide