Customer Reviews

College Hoops 2K8

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is still the best college basketball game out there. The best sports games have been ruined in this "next generation."

EA is AWESOME at MLB baseball games, and now they can't make them.

2K is AWESOME at NFL football games, and they aren't allowed to make any.

It's a real shame. If you want the best college b-ball game, you need to get this one. Hopefully 2K will be allowed to make another one of these games, b/c it's a real gem. It's a complete game -- whether you are looking for a good, shallow pickup game, or a full-featured simulation.

The same goes for the NBA 2K series. I would purchase NBA 2K10, but there's no NCAA Basketball 2K10. NBA 2K10 is awesome, but I just don't get as much enjoyment out of it, without a coinciding NCAA 2K10. ....so I bought NBA 2K8:)
-Eric

I bought this title for my new PS3 to replace 2K6 and 2K7 for the Xbox. This review will largely focus on the differences and improvements between the PS3 version and the older lesser versions. Reviewed at 1080i on a 53" CRT RPTV.

1) The graphics and engine are substantially improved over prior incantations. Player appearance is far sharper, as is general presentation. A substantial amount of detail has been paid to little graphical items - for example the cameramen on the sidelines are perfectly rendered and move appropriately, players move from the bench to the scorers table after you order substitutions to wait for the dead ball, after timeouts your players move back onto the court as the mascot/cheerleaders leave it, finally arenas are well rendered with accurate center logos (e.g. UCLA first to 100 championships). Also the animations are far smoother and more creative. Overall much improved.

2) Audio is generally comparable to prior versions of the game, and this is very good as the prior games had good sound design. The biggest difference is this game actually supports DTS (even though the box only says Dolby Digital), this produces sound that is generally richer and fuller. All sound options are individually adjustable (Commentary, PA, FX, band, crowd noise, chants, player chatter, etc.) thus allowing you to create the blend that you find most enjoyable. Teams fight songs are included and played back at appropriate times. The commentary is also generally solid and features the same guys as 2K7.

3) Gameplay is much more realistic than 2K7. In 2k7 on Xbox it would not be uncommon for me to amass 40+ steals in a game as the AI was reckless with the ball, in 2K8 for the PS3 the AI is much smarter with passes, and steals are closer to 10 per game. Offensive AI is much improved the AI cycles the ball well and takes good shots with open shooters. The improved animations are also huge with gameplay, they allow a wide variety of layups, dunks, fadeaways, and post shots that can be utilized to good effect. The control scheme is complex, but once learned is extremely effective. As other reviewers have mentioned the game stresses shot release for the accuracy of all shots, this causes some people trouble with layups, but once practiced layups do go down with regularity. Overall gameplay has maintained all the good of 2K7 and fixed most of the bad.

4) Game modes: Quick game - can choose any 2 teams (includes all D1 schools, plus dozens of historic teams) and play a quick game against the computer or another person. Legacy - not yet tried but was great in 2K7 and I have read it is even better in 2K8 with improved scouting and an AAU league. Practice - this allows you to run various drills (Freestyle, Fastbreak, Freethrow, etc.) that will help you master the control scheme and pick up the subtleties of shot release, ball placement, and picking the right shot at the right time. All-American Training - similar to practice but helps teach certain skills such as isomotion and post play. Online - not yet played. Overall great variety and replayability.

5) Other thoughts: 2KShare is a network service that allows users to post and share files with each other. You can share legacies, playbooks, and settings to help others and show your achievements. The biggest and best feature of this is ROSTER DOWNLOADS. 2K cannot officially include player names (default SG4, C45, etc.) but they have made it extraordinarily easy to download them and add them later. The roster loads automatically and allow you to actually use real players in games (e.g. Chris Douglas Roberts, Kevin Love, OJ Mayo, etc.). Most names are already recored for the in game commentary and will be used appropriately. This is a tremendous improvement over the XBox 2k7 game, and makes the game far more enjoyable.

In conclusion this is an exceptional game and a substantial improvement over the 2k7 variant. The learning curve is fairly high, but you are rewarded with exceptional control over the game when you do master it. I highly recommend this game to any college basketball fan.

I thought this game was official. The graphics are great, the game play is better. The controls are a bit difficult to get used to but they have the best free throw controls I've ever used on a game, and once you get the hang of the controls you'll be on the edge of your seat. A con is It is very difficult to make out the menus if you don't have a HDTV but believe me it's worth the purchase. I was pissed to find out that they are no longer making this series of games. I was an avid EA sports game player until I stumbled upon ESPN College Hoops 2K5 and I never looked back. This game will be a classic game to have, if you don't have it should be on your list of items to purchase. Get it before it's gone.

I've been a College Hoops fan since 2k6 and have been playing them ever since. It's been a great series of games that really haven't changed much over the years. That's why I was a little confused that the controls on 2k8 were so different. Some things are the same but there was just enough difference that it made it hard for me to just pick it up and start my career mode going. I also don't know why they don't make the view default to the 2k mode because that's what I prefer but that's just my preference. Still, it's a great game and I can't wait for the college basketball season to start. Go N.C. State!

This game rocks. I trade in march maddness and I have never look back.March Madness has been WACK for the last couple of years and 2K has token over in the basketball world.

This is my first review EVER online for any video game...or anything for that matter but felt compelled to give a quick review of this game.

I bought this game a while back and like so many of my other games, something new/shiny comes out and I end up trading most of them in for the latest and greatest. I've played College Hoops 2k7, 2K8, NBA 2k8-2K12 (which I still own 12 as of now) so I am very familiar with the 2K Basketball series. While I really like NBA 2K12, I really just couldn't get into it like I did 2K11. So, long story short, I was ordering something else from Amazon and checked to see what was cheap for PS3 and came across this for VERY cheap. I went ahead and ordered it as I thought, "hey ,for this price maybe I should give this game another go around as it was fun but I didn't play it for very long..."

When I got the game and fired it up for the first time, I came to realize how fun this game is!! Not only is the presentation AWESOME (especially the crowds, weekly wrapup shows, the selection show, etc...) but the game runs so smooth and fluid. One big thing (which is very realistic) is that combpared to the NBA game, you can't just size up someone, do a crossover, then to toward the hoop for a layup/dunk. Just like the real NCAA, you have to move the ball around, take advantage of matchups, and find the open man otherwise you'll get crushed. This is not a game where individual players can dominate so much like the pros.

One thing I did find a little disconcerting is the amount/accuracy of 3 pointers from average/below average teams the CPU will put up; even on starter difficulty. At the same time, though, it is exhilirating to drain numerous threes if you have good perimiter shooters on your team.

I haven't gotten into the recruiting (I usually let the CPU do that) but the tutorial is interesting, intuitive, and **gasp** pretty fun for a practice mode.

Bottom Line: this game is just FUN if you like great presentation/gameplay in a sports game. It may be a bit dated now, the graphics are good (but the NBA 2K series last few years looks significantly better), the gameplay is smooth and the atmosphere, oh the atmosphere. You just cant play a more exciting sports game like this (in my opinion). I'm going to trade my NBA2K12 game as soon as I figure out who's giving the best trade for it since I cannot see myself playing much of it now that I have this game.

i went back to college basketball 2k7. i dont like the menu options on this game. this game would be good if the menus on this wasnt so messed up. its quite annoying and frustrating. i like college basketball 2k7 better. their isnt much difference than between these game except the 2k7 version has alot better menus.

Because there was no college basketball game made for the 2010-2011 season, I decided to pick up College Hoops 2k8 again. Fortunately there was someone who uploaded current rosters so it was well worth it. The gameplay is excellent as it is with any 2K Sports basketball game. Despite the subpar graphics, the ultra-realistic gameplay makes it a fun game to play. Dynasty mode is very in depth and detailed.

this game is still fun to play it by far the best college game on the market. college 2k8 we only canhope that 2k will bring back college 2k11 hopefully.

Great Game, the range in which you can play this game, the legacy mode is outstanding, from recruiting, to keeping your players happy, to becoming a legendary coach... great game, just wish 2k would bring this title back