When playing in season mode, the computer sets up a schedule of 30 games against 23 opponents. You do not have to play each game during a season, the game allows you to skip the ones you do not want to play as the computer will play them out for you. After completing a season, tournament play begins. The brackets are set up for you and all you have to do is choose which games you want to play and those that you would like to simulate. The basketball court changes to one that contains the Final Four logos giving you the feel that you are actually there.

On the court, gameplay is action packed. The motion captured players perform various moves during gameplay making NCAA Final Four 97 look like one of the most realistic basketball simulations available today. While playing a game, you have the ability to call both offensive and defensive plays on the fly. A playbook allows you to assign these different plays to your team. Each individual team also has its own personality which is noticeable from game to game. Different teams have different playbooks – some teams will pass the ball around and look for good open shots while others will press the ball underneath the hoop.

There are more than 35 motion captured dunks within the game and they vary depending on the situation. These are spectacular to watch, especially on a fast break. NCAA Final Four 97 also includes shot blocking and pivoting. These features have never been seen before in a basketball game on any platform.

By releasing a basketball simulation, Mindscape Sports Advantage has climbed onto a mountain that has been dominated only by the king of sports, EA Sports. NCAA Final Four 97 is the first real competition that can give NBA Live 97 a run for its money. By boasting impressive motion captured animation along with the hype of college basketball’s final four, NCAA Final Four 97 is a force to be reckoned with.