College Hoops 2K8

Download College Hoops 2K8 and experience the excitement of college basketball! Lead your team to victory, recruit top prospects, and build a dynasty that will stand the test of time. The road to the championship starts here – play now!
a game by Visual Concepts
Platforms: XBox 360, Playstation 3 (2007), Playstation 2
Editor Rating: 7.8/10, based on 3 reviews
User Rating: 7.4/10 - 25 votes
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See also: Sport Games, Basketball Video Games
College Hoops 2K8
College Hoops 2K8
College Hoops 2K8

As one of the most beloved sports in the world, basketball – and specifically the National Basketball Association (NBA) – gains fans all over the world. However, outside of the NBA we also have the college basketball level which is considered by many to be among the best sporting competitions in the world. The arrival of College Hoops 2K8 by 2K Sports, then, was seen as a hallmark for the series: a new focus on the importance of college basketball. How good, though, was this game compared to the highly beloved 2K series of NBA games?

The Stars of the Future

Released in 2007, College Hoops 2K8 compiled the very best college teams and players from the era. It gave basketball fans the chance to play with some of the up-and-coming megastars of the era, including cover star Greg Ogden.

Just about every school included in the Division I NCAA tournament was included, including new additions at the time such as the Florida Gulf Coast.

The game offered a realistic, fast-paced approach to college basketball and looked to include as many player likenesses and licenses as it could.

A dime for the time

While College Hoops played mostly like the NBA 2K series of the era, it did have its own style. Given the differences in how basketball is played at college and NBA level, the game done a fine job of trying to mimic those changes. The player likenesses were well-received at the time, too, seen as fair representations of the ability of the players who played at that point.

The game was also noted for having a diverse soundtrack, deep editing features, and a range of useful modes. The Legacy Mode was seen as the major feature, allowing players to start out at a low-ranked basketball school and work towards becoming a national starlet. The Open Legacy version allows for the player to choose any school they want and begin building towards their own future stardom.

Another interesting feature was the ability to track and recruit students from high school, as well as junior college. With over 300 teams included and a gluttony of arenas, players, and features such as on-the-fly playcalls, this offered more depth than most other basketball games that came out at the same time.

The main problem with College Hoops 2K8 is that it was never followed up upon. The licensing issues meant that a 2K9 edition never arrived, so many of the good ideas that were used here were either never used again or ported into the wider NBA 2K series.

7.5

Overall, though, for those who want to look back at a previous draft class and play through college on their own, this offers an enticing, exciting opportunity.

Pros:

  • Great basketball gameplay, authentic for the time
  • Massive roster and team combinations allows great variety
  • Attention to detail in licensing and likeness was very impressive

Cons:

  • Lacked coaches due to licensing issues
  • Was never followed up with a much-needed sequel

Download College Hoops 2K8

XBox 360

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Playstation 3

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Playstation 2

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

Sports games in general have to adhere to a rather strict set of rules and limitations that usually hinder the creative potential of gamers to enjoy the game just how they want it. For those reasons, games like College Hoops 2K8 are such a refreshing take on a tried-and-true genre.

With its focus on player creativity and nearly limitless amounts of customization available, College Hoops 2K8 is a veritable playground for basketball fans who might be still on the fence about whether or not NBA 2K8 is the right game for them.

Play Your Way

In College Hoops 2K8, there are plenty of ways to stay busy. Players can create their own chants, players, schools, sound clips, and highlight reels. But new this year, the game lets players create their own plays.

The interface may not be particularly user-friendly, but it's worth it when you’ve created the perfect play. And if you’re feeling generous, you can share all this content online. Online play in College Hoops 2K8 is of the same high standard as other 2K sports games. A real-time ticker shows the latest sports news, and the online front page shows college hoops news, upcoming games, and current scores.

More Ways to Play

College Hoops 2K8 offers more ways to play than ever before. Players can set up their own conference tournaments and even the NCAA Championship in the Pontiac Tournament mode, or take part in the College Hoops Classic.

Coach mode lets you call the plays while your players execute them. New this year is the All-American training challenge and tutorial modes, which teach players the ins and outs of the game’s controls.

Legacy mode lets players lead their favorite team or alma mater to glory. Players can choose between open legacy mode, where they take over the school of their choosing, or career legacy, where they start at a small school and work their way up. This mode is quite similar to last year’s, but it has some new additions carefully designed to keep things feeling fresh.

Fast-Paced Controls

On the court, College Hoops 2K8 plays almost exactly like its predecessor, with a few exceptions. Lock-on D makes its way over from NBA 2K8 and allows players to really shut down an opposing player. But as in NBA 2K8, this feature can be abused.

Also new this year is the sixth man advantage, which lets players' teams play better when the home crowd is going wild. The rest of the gameplay feels just like last year’s: The controls are responsive, and there is a wide variety of animations. The game just feels good.

Overall, College Hoops 2K8 is a slam dunk for basketball fans. While there are a few minor issues, they don't detract from the game’s overall quality. College Hoops 2K8 is definitely worth the investment for basketball enthusiasts who are looking for a new game to sink their teeth into.

8

Despite a few minor annoyances carried over from its predecessor, College Hoops 2K8 innovates and improves on the franchise's entertaining formula.

Pros

  • Realistic gameplay that feels great to control
  • Deep customization
  • Comprehensive game modes

Cons

  • Graphics look a bit outdated
  • Limited licensed content
  • Lacks a bit of innovation compared to previous games in the series

College Hoops 2K8 is a basketball video game developed by 2K Sports and was released in 2007. It is the seventh installment in the College Hoops series. It features realistic college basketball gameplay, a deep dynasty mode, and an extensive online multiplayer component.

Play Ball

One of the most impressive aspects of College Hoops 2K8 is the level of realism that it offers. The game accurately simulates the college basketball experience with detailed player models, authentic arenas, and realistic gameplay. The game's animations are smooth and fluid, and the controls are responsive, making it easy to pull off complex maneuvers like crossovers and dunks.

One of the standout features of College Hoops 2K8 is the game's dynasty mode. In this mode, players take on the role of a college basketball coach, managing their team's roster, recruiting new players, and guide their team to victory on the court. The game's AI is intelligent and challenging, making it easier to win games with careful strategy and planning. Additionally, the game's recruiting system is extensive, allowing players to scout high school players, offer scholarships, and build relationships with potential recruits.

Face Your Opponents

Another aspect of the game that makes it stand out is the extensive online multiplayer component. Players can take their custom-built teams online to compete against other players from around the world. The game's matchmaking system ensures that players are matched against opponents with similar skill levels, making for fair and competitive matches. The game also features online tournaments, allowing players to compete for bragging rights and prizes.

College Hoops 2K8 also features an extensive selection of teams, with over 300 Division I programs. Each team has its unique playstyle and strengths, meaning players must adapt their strategies to each opponent. The game also features a selection of classic teams, allowing players to relive some of the most memorable moments in college basketball history. One of the few drawbacks of College Hoops 2K8 is that it was only released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles. This means that players who own only some of these consoles will be able to experience the game's excellent gameplay and features. Additionally, while impressive for their time, the game's graphics may look dated by today's standards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, College Hoops 2K8 is an excellent basketball game with a realistic college basketball experience, engaging dynasty mode, and extensive online multiplayer component. The game's attention to detail and fantastic gameplay make it a must-play for any basketball fan, especially those who love college basketball. While the game may be showing its age, it is still a fun and engaging experience that will provide hours of entertainment. So if you're a fan of sports games and have played its previous titles or even other games like NBA 2K, you will enjoy this one.

8

However, the game is over ten years old, so expect to run into performance issues and be prepared to face old graphics.

Pros

  • Fun gameplay
  • Amazing soundtrack
  • Immersive experience

Cons

  • Poor frame rate
  • Outdated graphics

Snapshots and Media

XBox 360 Screenshots

Playstation 3 Screenshots

Playstation 2 Screenshots

See Also

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