If there's something that the "professional" NFL and its collegiate counterpart, NCAA, differ in is that culture plays a big role in the latter. EA has done well with the series in presenting NCAA Football games with much the same flair you'd expect to see if you were at real games. They're always chalk-full of little touches and gameplay that differ the experience from the Madden machine. NCAA Football 09 should be more of the same, but with added tweaks and upgrades fans have been pining for.

NCAA vs. NCAA

This year, EA will be releasing two different versions of NCAA depending on what video game system you buy it for.

The Wii version ($49.99) will be adding the "All-Play" moniker and aims to ease the complexity of the 360/PS3 versions by simplifying the controls so even grandma can play. So much so, that the game will even control a player's movements on screen a la tennis in Wii Sports

The other console versions -- $59.99 for Xbox 360/PS3 and $39.99 for PS2/PSP -- will be largely the same as last year control wise, but with some improvements over 2008.

Online Dynasty...Oh, Yes, 12 Players

The biggest addition to NCAA Football 09 is that the game will finally put its Dynasty mode online, a first for the series, and will let players set up the games how they want. Leagues can even go as long as 60 seasons. Commissioners are free to create a conference mixing up Division 1 teams or go with an existing conference like the Big 10.

Dyanamic Animation System

One of the bigger improvements on the gridiron in 09 is the new animation system which gives you the freedom to readjust at all turns; negating last year's animations which would lock you in once it was performed. Now, the player has immediate control over anything the defense throws your way.

Mascots & Arcade Mode

Those of you who can't stand the rules and gameplay of simulation football should be pleased to know that there is a Mascot Mode in 09, which lets you take to the field and pit mascots against each other. The mode is more on the arcade side of things as all the mascots have special moves and jumps that the athletes they represent wish they had. Football aficionados will dig it for a game or two at a time, but non-purists should really take to the new mode. Here is a video of the mascots in action:

Try It Yourself

NCAA Football 09 is due July 15 for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and PSP, but you can throw the pigskin around now with the available demo on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.

Carlos Macias is a featured writer for Xomba.com. Read the rest of his work here .