I was really looking forward to getting this game. I was really disappointed today when I opened my package and started the game. The graphics are absolutely HORRIBLE. They are an insult to 1998 graphics. I don't even know where to start. First, the crowd is completely flat. The graphics are similar to a game from the mid 90's, and for that reason it is almost impossible to play. Even the field looks terrible. Yes, there are a lot of stadiums to choose from, but with bad graphics, who cares? Ok, now for some of the specifics.
Yes, you can shake the wii remote to control certain actions, such as on offense, you can snap the ball, pass the ball and evade tackles by shaking the remote. Also on defense you can block the pass, give a big hit or rush the QB all by shaking the wii remote. Overall, I would say that part of the game isn't that bad, but the controls are very simple. (Note to EA, buy a copy of PES Soccer. Copy their player controls. You will have a lot of happy customers...)
There are several options available to start off. You can go right to a game, you can play a "mascot game" which is also pathetic. Why do you want an entire team made up of the same mascot? If you do want that, you can play, but it is nothing more than the players running around in chicken suits. And see my previous comments on the graphics, and you will understand it is not fun to play. You can also go right to a rivalry game, which seems like a neat idea...and you even see who is winning the overall series. There is dynasty mode available, but I have not tried that yet.
You can pick from over 110 teams, and there are a lot of stadiums to choose from. I counted at least 160, plus a few special venues, such as Mile High for CU-CSU, the cotton bowl for Oklahoma - Texas, and about 4 others for Florida - Georgia, Army - Navy, The ACC Championship Game, the SEC Championship Game and the MAC Championship game.
The only part of the game that I liked was the use of your mii character to track your results, and it shows your picture if you make a tackle or big play. I don't know if it will show your mii in uniform, but with the absolutely horrific graphics, I doubt you could tell who it was anyway. I don't know if there is the "locker room" feature available like there is supposed to be in the xbox and ps games so you can download all of the player names. I could not find it if it is there. It appears that you have to go in and edit every player to get the right names. Why not add the locker room feature to the wii version EA???
I am a big college football fan and was really looking forward to playing this game, but I am very disappointed. For the umpteenth time, the graphics were so bad, it rendered the game unplayable. Don't waste your money, I am returning it as soon as possible.