NBA Courtside 2002

"The first and the last LF Game on the Gamecube"

Graphics: 25/35
The graphics seem blurry and unpolished from the camera view. The graphics seem very mediocre from the game-play stand point. However, in replays, player models look quite clean, and much better. Unfortunately, the game is played through the standard camera, and the graphics aren't clean or beautiful. Furthermore, animations are bland and collision detection is shady. The physics seem off too. Players move slow and jump slow. Sometimes, passing the ball seems weird and wrong.

Gameplay: 25/35
The basics are here, except 'A' is to shoot, which can take adjusting to. The main innovation is the C-Stick passing mode, where you pass the ball depending on the direction you press on the C-Stick. If that is bothersome, you can also use the B-button to pass. Adrenaline can be measured by team. Its also the TURBO in this game. You go faster and improve production when pressing it. It runs out pretty fast though. Its an interesting feature to show what team has more momentum. The feature exists in NBA 2K2, except there isn't a meter showing it. However, the game moves entirely too slow.

Sound: 14/20
The crowd noises are acceptable, as no other basketball games have been especially noticeable with this. The announcers are pretty repetitive. For example, the announcers will repeat stories from player's college experiences and what not. However, they repeat it over and over.

Replay Value: 22/25
The game doesn't have a franchise mode, but the season mode is good enough for now. Still, the season mode features multiple teams, or multiple players, which is a saving grace for the game. Playing with your siblings or friends is a great feature that was added. Playing short seasons such as 14 or 28 games is a good thing with multiple players, plus you'll always be going back because your friends would be pushing you to. Still, you come back anyway because you can put up better games and what not. Plus, you can play your friends in a season, which is very fun. Playing through the playoffs with up to 16 players is fun too, especially with a 1-game series setup. Unfortunately, the single-player experience is hampered by shortcomings in control and gameplay.

Value/Tilt/Extras: 18/25
You only need 7 blocks, and with multiple-player seasons, the game is exceptional. The developers of the game, Left Field, left Nintendo, so NBA Courtside 2003 won't be coming. It's a shame too, since the game could have been improved upon for next season. It's still unknown whether the series will continue in 03-04. The game has a number of small flaws and in comparison to NBA 2K2, it doesn't stack up. It does everything NBA 2K2 does, except a step slower, a level lower. Still, playing multiplayer seasons/playoffs is great.

Final Score: 104/140
Gamefaqs score of 7 or 7.4 (rounded down)
Final Comments: NBA Courtside 2003 is a solid basketball game for the Gamecube. Still, if you're going to buy a basketball game, get NBA 2K2. Courtside moves too slow and has a number of flaws. The only reason to buy it is the multiplayer aspect.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/21/02, Updated 06/21/02