I just busted out my sharkport because I realized they had the MVP 2004 rosters on there and the left handed fix. The shrarkport is the biggest piece of electronic **** I have ever encountered. I took pictures of what it took for me to get it to work(I might post them later) which included: 1-Finding new updated software that is NOT on activisions website 2-plugging my ps2 in next to my computer 3-using a ps1 cord to connect it to the component front of the tv in my room 4-balanced the ps1 cord pefectly so it wouldnt slip out because it is broken. 5-Holding part of the USB cord literally in my mouth pressing against the centerpiece while also jamming the other side of the cord into the centerpiece with my other hand. 6- putting things on there as fast as possible as to not lose the precious time of it working. BUYER BE****INGWARE
I just ran up to gamestop. I traded in 3 games, Madden 04, MVP Baseball 04, and ESPN NBA 2k4. Along with that i received a 20% discount so my game is paid for, just gotta pick it up tuesday.
for those of you wetting down one leg in anticipation.. spoiler videos and pics damn this game looks SWEET
Just picked up my copy (EBGames shipped early, and I convinced FedEx to let me have it). Unfortunately, one of my best friends' wife just left him (he's driving up tonight, going home tomorrow), so I won't be able to tell much. If you have questions, I can try to get to it by tomorrow night if you are DYING to know something. Just post here. And fear CU.
He wanted to play a little. He wanted a guys night thing, although toned down, so a few of us did that and then went out for a while. A few reactions: * Game is SWEET. Graphics are better. Game play is smoother. Everything has been kicked up a notch. * I'm on default settings right now. On 2004 I played on All American level and was pretty solid (80-90% winning percentage). * I've played three games -- one exhibition (in which I b****-slapped Nebraska like they deserve) and two dynasty (vs CSU on neutral field and @ Washington St.). Dominated on defense the first two games, allowing a total of 3 points. Offense struggled (especially passing), but defense was so good that I still scored 28 points in each of those games. Third game, defense was WEAK, but passing game was clicking. Offensive consistency is hard to find (for me so far at least). * Home Field Advantage ROCKS. CU's HFA is weak (which I don't understand because a lot of people say we have one of the better HFA's in the Big XII behind TexA&M, OK, Nebraska and around the level of UT and KSU, but that's another rant). At WSU (#24 hardest place to play), the screen was shaking pretty bad at times when I was on offense. I turned off vibrate on the controller (I have a wireless, saves battery), but it's supposed to shake pretty bad too. I tried to call a hot route at one point, and my WR couldn't hear, so I had to call it again. In hard road situations, I usually call any audible or hot route twice, just to play it safe. Even then, it's still an adventure. * They changed my playbook. I always used the "Balanced Pass" PB, and they COMPLETELY changed it. This is probably slowing my offense down as much as the computer. The defensive playbooks are all different as well. * "Rules Violations" SUCK! Well, they kick ass, but they're killing me. You're only allowed so many "violation points" to disciplen players. I don't know if it's just because CU is built for this sort of thing (thanks Barnett, jackass) or if it happens to everyone, but you have to sim a dynasty week by week because every week I've gotten a "violation" by players. Ditching classes, stuff like that. If you don't disciplen them, the NCAA will be on your ass at hte end of the season. The first dynasty season I simmed, I just went through the whole thing, didn't deal with any problems, and had 10 scholorships over the next 2 years taken away from me. My friend left last night, so I'll do some more playing today and let you guys know. ANY questions, don't hesitate to post them here, I don't mind answering them.
How about player ratings? I'm just curious who the best at each position is on the game, if you know? Also, if through simming the seasons, have you been able to get a feel for anything new in recruiting? Harder? Easier? How about the little things like fan and player celebrations? Cheezy or neat? I take it you won't know about player entrances if you haven't had the chance to play with many teams. I'm just curious how many "unique" team entrances there are. Last year, Notre Dame, Miami and a couple of others were the few. Thanks, Nugget4! I understand if you can't get to all these questions, but I' m just excited about the game.
I found a link with some player ratings earlier. I'll try to find it again, if I haven't by tonight, I'll go through and manually check them all. Recruiting is HARD. I've simmed 2 seasons just to see, and the most I've ever seen was three 5 star players signed by one team. There are only ~35 five star players in each recruiting class this year, as opposed to 100+ last year. Plus, you can "scout" players instead of recruiting them. It's wierd. Honestly, it's one of those things that you have to do a few times before you start to understand. The fact you can recruit "Athletes" though is sweet. Then, you decide what position they play depending on their ratings and your team's depth. The fan celebrations are cool IMO. I like the signs. Naturally, most of mine say "F**K NEBRASKA" or "Huck the Fuskers" (hey, I am a CU fan). Player celebrations are practically teh same as last year. Haven't seen any team entrances that are different. I was hoping CU would be special this year (GIVE US RALPHIE!), but nothing yet. I know they kept the ND, FSU, etc. ones in though. Dude, don't worry about pestering me with questions. As long as it stays somewhat reasonable, I don't mind. I'm answering them here because at the NCAA board, it's mass chaos, and I'd rather let the people that aren't running around like chickens with their heads cut off know.
Thanks for the update. I've tried checking out the EA SPORTS NCAA boards the last few weeks, but there are an abundance of trolls and ingrates on those boards, making stuff up, name-calling and other immature BS. I just want to get honest feedback on the game. Glad to hear recruiting is more difficult- it was WAY too easy last year to build an invincible team, especially if you put together a great season with a team that was already average, at the least. I am hoping there were more realistic intros, as I've read about some really cool traditions a variety of colleges have at the outset of a game. However, I'm sure that something that like probably isn't a big enough deal to the common fan. So, Nuggets4, can you tell me a little more about how the recruiting violation thing works? Do you know how severe the punishments can get? Originally, I thought there was even supposed to be the "death penalty," but I heard that the NCAA asked for it to be removed. Any feedback on all that? Well, my game is reserved, but I probably won't get it until Tuesday. I can't wait, though! Thanks, Nuggets4.
Damn, I forgot I had to have a UPPP performed next Wednesday and have to have blood work done for the surgery this Friday. That's probably going to take away all my cahs for this game damn it!
I found the Prima Strategy Guide rankings for all of the teams. It's not 100% accurate, but it gives you a general feel. Penn State isn't that as good as they're listed and I don't believe Florida State is either. If there are any specific players or anything you want to know, just let me know. The rosters are pretty accurate this year too, judging by CU's at least. I know last year, CU's rosters were pretty far off. This year, there are only a few minor things with rankings (two players are WAY too low -- our kicker and punter; and our WR's are probably a little too high overall), there's only one player on CU's roster on the game that isn't on the team in real life, and only one or two players have the wrong grade classification (our kicker is listed as a RS Sr., when in reality he's a sophomore). Just little stuff. Prima Rankings I'm not sure, but I thought I heard somewhere that the death penalty is in effect. I'm 9-0 in my dynasty right now. Finally getting offense under control. Last game was an overtime shootout with Texas. Unfortunately, if you have a running QB, they're overrated once again. Brad Smith was pretty realistic when I played Missou, but Chris Leak is leading the "Best QB" award right now, and Vincent Young was rediculous. I know UT fans are gonna try telling me he's "that good", but he's not as good as the game makes him out to be. He's better in this game than Michael Vick was in Madden '04. The Top 25 polls are a lot more realistic this year. Last year, it seemed that it went purely by records. This year, I started out 45th overall in pre-season and even though I'm only one of three undefeated teams, I'm #10 overall. A little extreme on the low side, but I'd rather have that than the Fresno State, North Texas, Air Force top three of last year's game every year.
Thanks for the updates Nuggets04. I'll be getting my copy tomorrow and i can't wait. The home field advantage is one of the biggest reasons why i'm buying it. Just sent out my memory card today to the guy over at ps2rosters.com. I've never done it before so i hope it goes alright; sent a 4 buck donation with it.
Would like to send my memory card to get the rosters, how great of a risk is involved? Would backing up my saves be necessary or is this guy really reliable?
Last year I sent him (the ps2roster.com guy) my only memory card. It had everything for all the games I own on there. There were no problems whatsoever. I got the card back 7 days later and the only thing that had changed was that it was full of NCAA rosters. You have nothing to worry about. When he copies the data onto your card, it doesn't affect anything else on you card at all. Just make sure you have room. If it doesn't, he'll send it back to you before he erases anything from it.
My friend got it today and said it was good. He said the matchup button was a nice feature but that home field is given too much of an advantage so when it comes to playing online nobody will want to be the away team.
