NCAA Football 2010
System: Multi-platform
Release Date: 7/14/2009

We're coming up on that time when the latest football titles begin to pour onto shelves. And every year, before the behemoth Madden hits shelves, EA Sports releases the latest NCAA title to much less fanfare. But the secret is: the NCAA title is almost always better. Sure, the title doesn't sport graphics that compete with the latest model of Madden, instead using an engine that looks like the previous year's Madden title, but what NCAA has that curb-stomps the Madden franchise is balance.

The reason for this is because the developers always take into account that football players in college aren't the pinnacle of human perfection. Don't come into an NCAA title and expect players with a 99 overall rating. That shit doesn't happen. And to be truthful, it shouldn't in the NFL either. And because of this NCAA Football benefits so much because games become much more enjoyable and realistic. I've never seen a game of NCAA where you can continuously throw a hailmary with a 100% success rate.

The other thing NCAA has over Madden are the use of mascots. These cute, cuddly creatures are everywhere and gamers are the ones who benefit from their presence. While attending an NFL game is amazing, no doubt about it, there is nothing like the roar of a crowd and the passion of an NCAA game and EA Sports' NCAA Football always nails this aspect of the presentation.

This year's title even includes a number of brand new gameplay additions including the all new Season Showdown mode, EA SPORTS TeamBuilder, and Strategic Playcalling. For those intrigued by my NCAA manifesto you've just read, check out the game via the demo available now on Xbox Live and the PSN.