NBA Hoopz

"Adding a "Z" does not improve gameplay!!!"

Introduction
Why do companies continually think that by turning every game franchise into a ''extreme'' game, that the game becomes better? This is a Dreamcast reincarnation of NBA Jam, with the only difference being another player. This is supposed to somehow boost one's passing options. How? You can not pass to teammates who are constantly lying on the ground!

Gameplay
With another player, NBA Hoopz succeeds in one area: flooding the screen with decoys. The game plays identical to its NBA Jam predecessors, so obviously passing is not an option. What makes this experience that more repulsive, is that there is no point in passing. The reason being, is that everyone of your teammates just ''happen'' to be knocked down (not fouled) when a pass goes their way. Likewise, if you attempt to knock their player down, you get a foul. However, if you love running down the court, pulling a head fake, and then shooting, this game is for you. Another part that this game disappointed me in, was the defense of the opposing team compared to my own. I try to dunk with Chris Webber, and I get blocked. Then Mugsy Bogues dunks on me like 5 straight times, how? However, it is very easy to head fake the other team, so maybe that is how Midway balances that out.

Graphics
These are decent, yet the drawn on muscles look silly. We all know Jason Williams does not have one muscle in his whole body, but at least the faces look like their real life counterpart.

Replay
If you are a type of gamer who loves beating every game 100%, then you may enjoy the challenge of beating every team and unlocking every character. However, for the other 95% of gamers, this one gets boring rather quickly

Conclusion
Just because Midway put Shaquille O'Neal on the cover, does not mean this game plays anything like he does. In fact, if I were to compare this game with an NBA player, I would have to choose either Will Purdue or Travis Knight. Why has Midway lost it? What ever happened to the company that got me to spend hundreds of dollars in the arcade, just to hear ''Boom-Shock-A-Locka?'' The only reason to get this game would be if you have 4 friends, then this might be worth playing. And, if you happen to have a Playstation 2, just get EA Sport's NBA Street and save both of us the headache! And oh yeah, if you think NBA Hoopz is a good game, you are ridiculouz. WORD!

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 06/26/01, Updated 06/26/01