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Game Review of:
NCAA Football 99 
by Bill Klutz 
 
Note: EA stands for Electronic Arts (computer generated) and is assigned to a series of sports games (Football, Baseball, Soccer, Hockey, Indy/Stock Racing, etc.) which appear to be ahead of most competitors products. All can apparently be played from the keyboard, or a "Gamepad Pro" or "Sidewinder" type device.
    The box has a "ball carrying" player in what looks like a "Wolverine" helmet and uniform, and several program generated, color pictures on the back. Teasers on the pictures included: "Big Hits," ". . .3-D Rendered Stadiums," "Epic Rivalries," "All New Animations," "College Playbooks," and "Dynasty Mode." Features listed are: 
  1. Exclusive National Championship 
      2. NCAA Football 99 is the only game in town. We give you every major conference championship and the exclusive rights to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. 
  2. All New Animation 
      3. Pump fakes, pitch fakes, wrap tackles, and more new controls get you off of the bench and into the game. 
  3. Expanded Dynasty Mode With Recruiting 
      4. Take total control of your team's place in history. Play multiple seasons and recruit next year's top talent. 
  4. True College Atmosphere 
      5. Every division 1A team complete with '98 rosters and 123 authentic 3-D Stadiums. Real fight songs and chants as dynamic crowds react to the action. 
  5. Great Games 
      6. Avenge that bitter loss that cost you the title or relive your school's greatest moment when you play classic games with 80 all-time great teams. 
Boy, after reading all that I am really getting "Fired Up." No reason to send off for any tickets to any games this season, I have it all here. Just let me "suit up" and we will be off to the game! 

First, let's see what else is in the box. CD obviously, a 15 page System requirements/installation/trouble shooting booklet, and a 24 page "operations" booklet. (The latter will definitely come in handy as I "attempt" to learn all of the operating commands for the plethora of options available. That will be a separate "play book" in itself!) 

Now that DirectX 5.2a is installed (Application Programming interface that allows Windows 95 based applications to have high performance, real-time access to your hardware), the program is installed and "Warm Ups" are complete, a quick tour of the "operations" booklet indicates I have to decide whether I want a "local game" (solely my computer) or a "remote game" (my computer connected to another computer by LAN, Modem, or Serial Link). Think I will just keep it local for now. Okay so far! Now, what level of Play? From the choices — Practice, Exhibition, Tournament (4, 8 or 16 team single elimination), Dynasty, or Great Games (40 of the greatest matchups in history) — lets keep it simple (so I don't get injured early in the season), so I'll just select Practice. Since I am not in the best of "electronic" condition, better make the quarters only 3 minutes each. 

On to the "Gridiron" and the traditional Coin Toss. The visiting team calls the "toss" and then the "winner" and "loser" get the appropriate choices (Kickoff, Receive, Defer; Defend left or right goal for the 1/2). "Special Teams" on the field and no "onside kick" since it is too early in the game. 

With the ball in play after the kickoff we're now at the Offense/Defense selection level. From the "Play Calling Screen" (playbook options) use up-down arrows until you see the formation you want, then left-right arrows until you see the set you want. Once those selections are made we need to select the play (up-down) and then the corresponding option. WOW, they even include a "bluff" and "audible" option, plus pass control (touch, bullet, etc.) and control of the intended receiver. On running plays I can control the ball carrier in trying to break tackles and shake defenders (dive, spin, explode, lateral, juke, hurdle). Whew! Sure glad I selected "Practice" mode. 

Think I will use one of my 3 "time outs" for this half to catch my breath. As the season progresses, I am sure I get into better "electronic" condition and will learn the whole "game system" better. By then, I might even be noticed and signed for the "Pros." Yea, Right! Dream On! 
  

Note: the team's default playbook contains only those plays that are characteristic of the team's actual style. You can edit any team's book by adding or removing formations and reorganizing favorite plays for faster play calling.
     Maybe I could talk to the camera crew about a little "coverage" so the "Pro Scouts" will notice me. The camera crew has all the neat things available which can direct the camera just about any way possible - move camera target, rotate around the target, raise and lower the camera, zoom in or out, instant replay. They can also depict team profile, player stats, game stats, and penalties. I'll talk to them right after the game. 

On with the game! Let's see, let me open the book so I have the Offense and Defense the keyboard key codes in front of me. The keyboard key I need first are. . . 

From what I can see at this point, there has been some serious thinking about the "die hard" college football fan/player. Looks like for about $40 (street price) he/she can enjoy the atmosphere or participate any time they feel like it. With more play the game gets easier to "play." I would recommend the program to anyone who likes college football. Other than having to learn the respective "controller" areas of responsibility for play, I believe the program will be well suited to anyone interested in college football. NCAA Football 99 should be available from most of the local major software vendors. EA Sports

Minimum Configuration/Recommended: Windows 95, Pentium 166/200, RAM: 16 MB/32 MB, CD-ROM drive: 4x/8x (with 32 bit driver), High color, 1 MB, DirectDraw 5.2a compatible video card (640x48016-bit]), DirectXTM 5.2a (included on CD), DirectXTM 5.2a compatible sound card, 5/10 MB of Hard Disk Space (plus space for saved games), none/3-D graphics accelerator using 3Dfx VoodooTM Graphics or Voodoo IITM chipset, Keyboard/Gravis Gamepad Pro or Microsoft Sidewinder Gamepad, Mouse. 

Bill Klutz does consulting work, primarily in the areas of Management and Computer Applications/Hardware/Software.