College Hoops 2K8

The game may feel rather complicated to younger or new players. But College Hoops has broadened its tutorials to help newcomers acclimate at any pace. An initial tutorial walks you slowly through the controls, while an All-American Challenge puts those skills to the test in a series of trials, including a 3-point contest and free-throw challenge. The game gets the fans more involved as well with a 6th Man meter. When your team performs well on the court, the fan meter soars as spectators become excited. Conversely, if you struggle, the arena quiets down dramatically.

What has made the College Hoops franchise so outstanding is not the graphics -- they could use more polish -- but the level of control you have over your team. You can call plays, substitute on the fly, change offensive and defensive tempos, and implement limitless strategic options. In Legacy Mode, you can control off-season activities as well, like recruiting and roster adjustments.