by Greg Miller

For the past week, I've been playing nothing but NCAA Football 12 so that I can review it this coming Monday (6 a.m. Pacific / 9 a.m. Eastern on IGN). So when I sat down with Madden NFL 12, I immediately felt comfortable behind my center. But then I started playing, and things got weird. The grass in Madden doesn't have the 3D texture to the same degree that NCAA does. The action in Madden doesn't seem as fluid. The announcers in Madden are nowhere as lively as Brad Nessler and Kirk Herbstreit.

NCAA Football 12 ruined Madden NFL 12 for me.

Now, this isn't a definitive verdict. I played a Chargers/Rams matchup for just half of a game. Madden still sounds awesome with its dynamic player performances and crazy franchise mode. All that said, the demo kiosk for NCAA Football 12 was just more fun. There's so much more life there with bands reacting to the action, people jumping around in the bleachers, and the sun spilling onto the field.

Here's a look at both in action, although the differences really didn't speak to me until I played each game.



Am I impartial? No. Ever since my days at Mizzou, I've categorically sided with the NCAA over the NFL because of passionate fans and feeling like you're part of something special and not just a business. But when it comes to games, I'm pretty levelheaded. Madden NFL 12 plays well and looks good, but NCAA Football 12 just out maneuvered it on the field today at EA's Showcase.

Take a look at those trailers and let me know which one you think speaks to you in the comments below.

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