NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition First Look

[ExtremeGamer]

Gamespot has posted their exclusive first look at NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition. It looks like an Xbox 360 exclusive.

"EA Sports is diving into the DLC ocean with verve these days. Just a few weeks ago, the publisher announced the Ultimate Team Mode, a downloadable expansion to last year's FIFA 09, and now they're getting set to release NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition, a download-only, standalone game based around the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Exclusively for the Xbox 360 and available for download on March 11, the game will let you play out the tourney using this year's tournament teams, and will include updated rosters and seedings.

The publisher has been experimenting with March Madness-themed DLC in its NCAA Basketball series for a couple years now. In both 2007 and 2008, EA released Selection Sunday Bracket Packs which included updated ratings and seedings and a full virtual bracket. According to EA reps, those who have previously purchased the Xbox 360 version of NCAA Basketball 09 will still be able to download updated ratings and the authentic 2009 tournament bracket for free-- this year's Selection Sunday roster update will be available on March 18."

[Bigdmo9999]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

wow sucks for us PS3 users

[racerx]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

I can't say I am really happy seeing that I have the PS3 version. Did they not sell enough PS3 versions to warrant not having it for the PS3?

[BenGerman]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

Sweeeet. I gotta say, I'm looking forward to the rating changes more than anything.

[Victory23]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

Do you need to have the disc for this?

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

Do you need to have the disc for this?

Yes and no.

If you have the disc, it's a free download.

If you don't, then it's a 1200 point download as a stand alone game.

[Behindshadows]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition



Thank you EA Sports! Two Years In A Row!!!!

[johnny4LSU]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition First Look

damn that sucks for us ps3 owners lol

[Bumble14]

Are you still going to be able to force 50 turnovers a game by dropping into a 1-3-1 zone?

[Bigdmo9999]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition First Look

I wonder if they fixed the mid major freshman issue with their "roster update"

[Trini G1aDiaToR]

I think this is a great idea actually. I hope more sports games do this for their DLC. This way if you like the game enough to get the full version you can, but if you only want to play for a bit around tourney/playoffs time and not get the full retail version you can still get some time in with the game. Plus, the developers make a few extra bucks without doing foolishness like charging for alternate unis. Sounds like a win-win to me!

The only thing I ask is for them to add online to their DLC. Rockstar did it for their GTA IV add-on and it only cost $5 more... why can't EA do the same for March Madness (or other games they do this with)?

[cdj]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

I can't say I am really happy seeing that I have the PS3 version. Did they not sell enough PS3 versions to warrant not having it for the PS3?

According to vgchartz.com, the PS3 version has sold ~70,000 copies to date, up from ~40,000 for March Madness 08. The 360 version of MM 08 sold ~190,000 copies, with NCAA 09 selling ~150,000 to date.

Basically, last year the 360 version outsold the PS3 version nearly 5:1, while this year it is about 2:1.

Do you need to have the disc for this?

The March Madness Edition is DLC for those who don't have the game and are looking to play the tournament mode only. The MME appears to be for 360 only.

The Bracket Pack is available for both the March Madness Edition and the regular disc edition. It isn't clear if the Bracket Pack is available for PS3.....it will be very disappointing if it isn't.

[Jab_Step]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

The Bracket Pack is available for both the March Madness Edition and the regular disc edition. It isn't clear if the Bracket Pack is available for PS3.....it will be very disappointing if it isn't.

The Bracket Pack will be available for 360 and PS3

[racerx]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

The Bracket Pack will be available for 360 and PS3

Cool....
Thanks Jab!!!

[Pared]

Re: NCAA Basketball 09 March Madness Edition

Here is the official Press Release:

NEW DOWNLOADABLE EA SPORTS VIDEOGAME

ENABLES FANS TO replicate NCAA MARCH MADNESS

Fans Can Take Their Favorite School On The Road To The Final Four

Using NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – March 3, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced EA SPORTS™ will for the first time offer a downloadable official NCAA® Tournament edition of its college basketball videogame. Fans will be able to replicate the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship bracket and play with all the schools in NCAA March Madness®. Called NCAA® Basketball 09: March Madness® Editionand available exclusively for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system for 1200 Microsoft points ($15.00), it will be available to download just in time for the start of the NCAA tournament.The 2009 Tournament tips-off exclusively on CBS Sports on March 19^th.

NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition will be easy-to-download exclusively for the Xbox 360 through Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 1200 Microsoft points beginning March 11, 2009. The game will initially feature teams from last year’s tournament, and then beginning on March 18, will feature the just-announced official Selection Sunday brackets and accurate teams with updated ratings.

NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition will re-create all the atmosphere and intensity of NCAA March Madness by enabling fans to authentically replicate the entire NCAA Tournament andplay through the “virtual bracket” with their favorite team under the same conditions they’ll face throughout March Madness. Take on the challenge of leading any of the 65 schools competing on the road to the Final Four®, from the opening round right through to a virtual reproduction of the Final Four on the authentic Ford Field court in Detroit, where one team will be crowned NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Champion on April 6, 2009.

“We really wanted to make our game available to a wider selection of fans that are drawn to college basketball by the passion, excitement and drama that surrounds March Madness,” said Connor Dougan, Producer for NCAA® Basketball 09: March Madness Edition. “Fans will be able to experience the tournament, feel the adrenaline rush that comes with a single loss elimination tournament and write their own history.”

“Few sporting events capture the excitement and intensity of March Madness, so it’s great to be able to offer everyone a chance to play with NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition, an exclusive to Xbox LIVE and Xbox 360,” said Marc Whitten, General Manager of Xbox LIVE. “Xbox LIVE continues to break new ground, offering new ways to play and enjoy your favorite games and entertainment. With EA we are offering everyone a chance to experience a blockbuster game tailored specifically for March Madness in a way that has never been done before.”

NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition challenges gamers to replicate their school’s style of play, set the tempo and win. Plus, the game features Division I coaches in-game providing real time instruction and feedback, helping gamers control the tempo by executing their team’s offense and defense to perfection.

Download NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition through Xbox LIVE Marketplace and follow the tournament through NCAA March Madness on Demand®, the free, live, online streaming of all tournament games available at NCAA.com and CBSSports.com.

NCAA Basketball 09: March Madness Edition is in development at EA Canada in Burnaby, B.C. The game is rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB. To learn more about the game visit www.ncaabasketball09.com.



Sounds great! Very cool idea.