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Grudge Match: 'MVP 06: NCAA Baseball' vs. 'MLB 06: The Show' for the PS2
The debate over whether professional or collegiate sports is more exciting to watch lingers as a water-cooler topic and has no end in sight. Some argue that professional athletes are prima donnas who slack off once they've made their money and that college athletes play with hustle and all their heart. Others feel that college players have inferior skills and that, therefore, the quality of the game pales in comparison to the pros. While that argument stalemates, the battle between MVP 06: NCAA Baseball and MLB 06: The Show steps into the batters box.

2:36PM Wed. Apr. 26, 2006, Mark Fagan Read More | Comment »

'Fight Night Round 3' for the PlayStation2
The beauty of boxing is its simplicity. It's a sport of man vs. man with nothing but some barely forgiving gloves and only-somewhat concerting low-blow protection. This focus on the human form – one of the toughest challenges for game designers – makes boxing video games a struggle to perfect, kinda like trying to make a ballet video game. Nintendo's Punch Out severely lacked the finer aspects of what is known as the "sweet science." Fight Night Round 3 takes some great strides toward capturing the technical grace of pugilism.

First the science, or technical aspects: Even for the increasingly dated PlayStation2, the visuals are impressive; the controls are tried, true, and intuitive; and the character creation options are respectable. That alone makes Fight Night a winner. Not quite a KO, the soundtrack consists of too few hip-hop tracks – many with infuriating fighting imagery ("Mama Said Knock You Out" is thankfully absent). The sound effects are unobtrusive until a blood-/spit-misted knockdown punch is replayed in slow motion and the Foley artist gets a bit overzealous.

4:19PM Fri. Apr. 21, 2006, James Renovitch Read More | Comment »

'Arena Football' for the PlayStation2
Staying loyal to the AFL rules and regulations, EA Sports' Arena Football aims to keep sports junkies hooked on the juice during the off-season. However, unlike real-world NFL, Madden NFL 06 has no off-season, thus the need for another game is eliminated.

Necessary or not, Arena Football garners a lot of rave for its slamming sidewall and hyper-speed plays, but these features just dilute the feverish intensity of how a football game should play.

If your player gets anywhere near the Great Walls, he slams onto the ground or flies over the rails and crinkles like a tin can. Like driving a bumper car, except every time you hit something, your car dies. Warp-speed plays and passes keep you on your toes but make the action so fast that you never enjoy the precious moments playing as the Austin Wranglers or one of their rivals, let alone perform a play that is strategically satisfying or longer than five seconds. Overprotective walls and speedy play ejaculations turn what should be an exalting experience into a one-night stand.

3:41PM Fri. Apr. 21, 2006, Carson Barker Read More | Comment »

'ESPN NBA 2K5' vs. 'NBA Live 2005'
In the contest between rival basketball games ESPN NBA 2K5 and NBA Live 2005, things are as lopsided as a San Antonio Spurs-Chicago Bulls tilt. San Antonio (NBA Live 2005) by 20. Much like the Bulls, Sega's NBA 2K-whatever franchise was in the past a mighty contender, but oh, how the mighty do fall. Once at the top of their field, Sega's basketball series has become as ugly as a Pacers-Pistons matchup (Ben Wallace even graces the cover of this wretched attempt at hardwood happiness). This year's model is pretty much an unplayable mess. Poor graphics, poor gameplay, and basically poor everything else sum up ESPN NBA 2K5. Don't be seduced by the low retail pricing: Put those ducats toward EA Sports' vastly superior NBA LIVE 2005. As the Spurs dominate all competitors with a solid defensive mindset, Tim Duncan's inside presence and MVP abilities, and the gutsy team-first play of Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker, so, too, does NBA Live 2005 with strong, realistic graphics, a satisfying Dynasty mode, and the best gameplay on the market. The improved Dynasty mode is the way to go here. General manager, owner, coach, and player are the positions you fill here, and all must work in tandem to bring your hometown the coveted NBA Championship trophy. See how well you can handle the salary cap and re-sign free agents as you lead your squad into the future. While not quite as addictive as EA Sports' ultra-successful Madden franchise, this hoops game will keep you red-eyed and bleary all through the night.

2:45PM Fri. Dec. 17, 2004, Mark Fagan Read More | Comment »

In Play: 'NCAA Football 2004' and 'Madden NFL Football 2004'
EA Sports has truly outdone itself with this year's installments of Madden 2004 and NCAA Football 2004, with each game taking its respective franchise to the next level. College football is known for its wide-open and exciting play, and NCAA 2004 mirrors it. The graphics are beautiful and amazingly realistic. Whether running Cedric Benson up the middle, tossing deep to Roy Williams, or running the option with Vincent Young, you are 100% immersed in the game (and will hopefully fare better than sad sack Mack Brown). NCAA 2004 includes 36 new 1-AA teams and more than 100 classic teams, as well as an improved dynasty mode and the requisite online play. The improved dynasty mode gives armchair athletic directors more power to recruit for and build up their school's program and prestige. All of this adds up to one of the best (if not the best) video football games ever.

3:09PM Fri. Oct. 3, 2003, Mark Fagan Read More | Comment »

'Madden NFL 2003' for the PlayStation2
He's back, this time with Al Michaels and Melissa Stark in tow. Pigskin ballers have grown to drool over the latest Madden game in the same fashion as Mr. Madden salivates over his Thanksgiving spread. This game offers a delicious main course with an assortment of tasty sides that will satisfy even the pickiest of video-game football fans. This year's installment offers new features such as online play, minicamp mode, create-a-playbook, and the inclusion of the league's newest team, the Houston Texans. (Unfortunately for Texans fans, the team represented here is even less likely to win than the one taking the field down at Reliant Stadium.) Highlights include the excellent and mandatory franchise mode, a workable running game, amazing graphics, and all of your favorite players, including hometown hero Drew Brees. Madden 2003 will leave you as satisfied as the big man feels after gorging himself on his Turkey Day feast, but with a little room left for dessert.

3:16PM Fri. Dec. 13, 2002, Mark Fagan Read More | Comment »

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AE Rate Gate
It wasn't all that long ago when Austin Energy was the city's shining star, a national leader in producing clean, efficient energy with cutting-edge technology. Just an all-around good-guy city utility that zipped along for 17 years without a rate increase. What went wrong?

Amy Smith Read More | Comment »

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