When “NBA Street” first came in out in February of 2001 I was stoked. Finally a great hoops game that took over where the dying “NBA Jam” was leaving off. Don’t get me wrong “Jam” used to be great. In college, I spent almost as much time playing “NBA Jam”, “Madden”, and “NHL” than I did studying. Being house champ in one of those three games in my frat was serious business. .
But like most games in a long series (Madden anyone?) “NBA Street” has gotten stale, so it was with a little bit of trepidation that I started playing its newest iteration “NBA Street Homecourt.” Sure it doesn’t hurt that local sports stud and punch-and-run-like-a-nancy-boy Denver Nugget Carmelo Anthony is this years cover boy. I support my local teams as much as anyone – but that doesn’t mean the game is any good, does it? Actually the game is VERY good…but not because of the cover. “Homecourt” is a return to the series’ original roots – fun, physical, street ball action with an emphasis on dunks and embarrassing your opponent.
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Once the disc is popped in gamers are given the choice to play a quick game, practice, battle online or create your own player and run through the career mode known as Homecourt Challenge. The game options are pretty sparse but what’s there is enough to keep you busy. The game play is standard “NBA Street” fare - juking out opponents, bouncing the ball off their chest and then dunking on their melon. Basically, what I do ever day during the summer. What’s different in “Homecourt” is the sweet stunts and maneuvers are easier to pull off with only two trick buttons. This makes the game quick to pick up and play but also rewarding because of the brand new fun and easy to execute dunks. Jumping off of my teammates back from the three point line to throw one down never gets old.
Once the disc is popped in gamers are given the choice to play a quick game, practice, battle online or create your own player and run through the career mode known as Homecourt Challenge. The game options are pretty sparse but what’s there is enough to keep you busy. The game play is standard “NBA Street” fare - juking out opponents, bouncing the ball off their chest and then dunking on their melon. Basically, what I do ever day during the summer. What’s different in “Homecourt” is the sweet stunts and maneuvers are easier to pull off with only two trick buttons. This makes the game quick to pick up and play but also rewarding because of the brand new fun and easy to execute dunks. Jumping off of my teammates back from the three point line to throw one down never gets old.
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This is the first time the series has been on the next-gen consoles and boy what a difference an Xbox 360 and PS3 make. “Hardcourt” is stunning. The wide variety of courts are beautiful, with brilliant shadowing and lighting effects. The NBA players look, move, dress and even shoot like their real life counterparts. The other non-pro players look just as detailed, which just goes to show the effort EA put into the visual effects.
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The sound effects are equally impressive. Sneakers squeaking on hardwood, the slap of a ball when grabbing a rebound and witty banter between opponents are all heard during a game. My personal favorite is hearing “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock after earning a gamebreaker. It makes me want to start moonwalking.
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Despite all of its strengths, “Homecourt” has a few glaring weaknesses. The camera can act sketchy, occasionally leaving players off screen all together, especially when chasing loose balls. During load times the pro players’ voiced-over soliloquies about their real life home courts and playing ball in the hood comes off as self aggrandizing testimonies to their own greatness. And again, David Stern has found another way to jam the WNBA down NBA fans throats with the presence of a few WNBA All-Stars.
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However, more frustrating than all of those other things put together is the down right curse inducing habit of getting almost decapitated by the backboard during a game. When playing defense close to the basket, I’d go up for a rebound or a block attempt and jump smack into the backboard and land flat on my back as the guy I was guarding dunks on my concussed head. I’ve done this so many times, my created player is now as tall as Verne Troyer. Gahh!!!
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However, more frustrating than all of those other things put together is the down right curse inducing habit of getting almost decapitated by the backboard during a game. When playing defense close to the basket, I’d go up for a rebound or a block attempt and jump smack into the backboard and land flat on my back as the guy I was guarding dunks on my concussed head. I’ve done this so many times, my created player is now as tall as Verne Troyer. Gahh!!!
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But I digress. I’m not going to let a few minor flaws and a troublesome glitch (just don’t get too close to the defensive rim) keep me from becoming a street ball legend. “NBA Street Hardcourt” is a blast to play and reminds me of those boastful college days of many moons ago. Just try not to go Carmelo if you’re losing, you’ll get teased by your friends forever.
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NBA Street Homecourt
Price: $59.99
Category: Basketball Sim
Players: 1-4 (2 Online)
Formats: Xbox 360, PS3
Grade: A-
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Terry’s Top 5 Video Game Etiquette Rules (for playing against a friend in a sports or fighting game)
1. Trash talking is required – Not even mimes could resist trash talking while gaming.
2. No quitting – There’s no crying in baseball,there’s no quitting in video games
3. No punting – If you can’t get 10 virtual yards in Madden you need to go video game training camp.
4. No damaging the equipment – Want to lose a friend? This is a fast way to do it.
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NBA Street Homecourt
Price: $59.99
Category: Basketball Sim
Players: 1-4 (2 Online)
Formats: Xbox 360, PS3
Grade: A-
.
Terry’s Top 5 Video Game Etiquette Rules (for playing against a friend in a sports or fighting game)
1. Trash talking is required – Not even mimes could resist trash talking while gaming.
2. No quitting – There’s no crying in baseball,there’s no quitting in video games
3. No punting – If you can’t get 10 virtual yards in Madden you need to go video game training camp.
4. No damaging the equipment – Want to lose a friend? This is a fast way to do it.
5. No turning off the system – Nothing says sore loser like this.
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