College basketball is one of the most exciting sports to watch with the height of its intensity reaching its peak in March. The NCAA Tournament occurs in March, hence the aptly named ‘March Madness’.
The Power Five Conference Tournaments begin this weekend, and the selection show will follow. This means March Madness is right around the corner. Those looking for some tips and free bets, there are plenty of March Madness betting sites offering just that. Additionally, as we await the bracket release, why not take a look back at some of the best college basketball games of the nineties?
Top 90s Basketball Video Games
Dick Vitale’s Awesome Baby College Hoops
Dick Vitale is the voice of college basketball earning his game the first spot on the list. It looks perfect for a 16-bit video game. In the era of modern gaming, this game still is visually appealing enough to play, especially with Vitale’s name plastered over the package.
Every time a big play happens, players hear the famous ‘AWESOME BABY’ phrase. It definitely brings a smile to my face when it happens. There are 32 teams in the video games across four conferences. Additionally. the game includes six game speeds as well as three difficulty settings. In 2022, this game is definitely worth the meager price it’s being sold for while potentially growing in value as Vitale’s career comes to an end.
Coach K College Basketball
Coach K’s coaching career at Cameron Indoor ended last weekend when North Carolina beat Duke. With the Blue Devils poised for a great NCAA Tournament outing, this marks the last time we see Coach K on the sidelines.
Coach K College Basketball released in 1995. Many considered the first true college basketball video game. Some real players would now be acceptable in the NIL era. There were also 32 teams as well as eight throwback championship teams. The game highlights the Duke-National Championship teams, the Fab Five, and March Madness.
College Slam
Acclaim released College Slam released for the Sega Genesis in 1996. The game offers a college version of NBA Jam: Tournament Edition.
College Slam featured college teams with nameless players. Something we say in later NCAA games and popular arcade-style sports games. Gameplay consisted of two on two with control of the players feeling very responsive. Additionally, the game offers a variety of on the court mechanics like turbo. However, aside from gameplay, the suffered from low production quality. This include things like low quality audio and the limited crowd ambience.
FOX Sports College Hoops ’99
FOX Sports made various video games in the past. The most notable were their college hoops game in 1999. FOX Sports College Hoops ’99 is one of the best games of the nineties. Unlike others in that time, College Hoops ’99 featured star players. This was the first and only college sports video game to debut on the N64 as well.
The cover featured former Kentucky star, Jeff Shepard. This was a surprise cover athlete because he averaged eight points throughout his career. Shepard came alive in his senior year scoring 13.7 PPG, thought many argued whether his performance was deserving of the cover slot.
NCAA Final Four Basketball
If you enjoy fast college basketball gameplay, NCAA Final Four basketball would have been the product for you. Despite limited animations, the game did portray rather exciting drives to the hoop. Additionally, players can compete across exhibitions, tournaments, and practice games. The top college basketball teams of the nineties featured in the game as well. This added a lot of excitement for passionate fans.
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