When NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Football 14’ dropped in July 2013, no one knew it would be the final release for over ten years. Legal issues surrounding player compensation shut the series down, leaving a massive void in the gaming world.
For over a decade, college football fans waited for this moment – College Football finally coming back. After years in limbo due to legal disputes over player likenesses and the collapse of the original franchise, EA Sports resurrected one of the most beloved sports gaming series of all time. Madden games never fully captured the unique energy of college football: the popular player mode (road to glory), and the unmatched energy that college football brings to the world. Fans wanted their game back. And now, EA Sports has delivered, and it is even better than before.
The changes in rules and careers over the past decade with transfer opportunities and NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) deals has restructured the game of college football, as well as refined the sport in gaming as well.
The best mode by far is “Road to Glory”, and it’s not even close. This mode lets you step into the cleats of a rising star, giving you full control over your journey from high school standout to college legend. The ability to design your player, choose your position, and carve out your path whether it’s chasing the Heisman, or transferring to a better fit to raise that championship trophy in January.
Another standout mode is “Dynasty”, where you take full control of a college football program and build it from the ground up. You choose your school, recruit future stars, manage the chaos of the transfer portal, and lead your team through the highs-and-lows of each season all while chasing conference titles and national championships. Whether you’re turning a small school into a powerhouse or keeping a blue blood on top, Dynasty mode delivers that addicting, long-term challenge that keeps you coming back for more.
The best sports game I have played so far. Can’t wait to see what new features College Football 26’ brings when it makes a touchdown—’cause if these titles were any more fire, they’d need a Gatorade bath.
Verdict: College Football 25 – 9.7/10