NBA Street

"NBA Street... Streetball done right"

One of my favorite games on the Gamecube, NBA Street brings all the street ball action, and the best thing about this game is that it completely focuses on street ball, and doesn't try to put it in as a ''mode'' in a regular B-Ball game, which usually come of as weak. Enough talk, lets start the review.

Graphics: 9/10
This game's graphics are beautiful. They don't seem to suffer from the ''washed out'' lighting seen in some other Gamecube games. The player textures are detailed, and the game overall has a nice, realistic feel to it (graphics wise). My only complaint here is the weak create mode has no decent looking player faces.

Sound: 9/10
Joe the Show is amusing... for the first 10 minutes. And the chick that announces the name of dunks.... AARGH!!!! Ambient sound effects, like birds and the like, give a feeling to the game, but there isn't much to say about a game where the main sound effects are a basketball bouncing up and down, feet hitting the ground, and shoes squeaking, although the sound it does have is good.

Gameplay: 10/10
The gameplay here is perfect for the purpose. The game starts without a timer. The first team to make 21 points win. The simplicity is what makes it beautiful. It also has the arcade elements you have come to expect. Of course, you have your turbo button, but then you have the Game Breaker shot. Do tricks on the court, or dunk, and the Game breaker meter goes up. When it is full, you can make a Game breaker shot and if it goes in, you get points and your opponent LOSES points! A nice touch. The game has an arcade feel for it, but it IS street ball.

Control: 7/10
The one point where the game is kind of weak. It's obvious the GameCube controller isn't made for a game like this, but they still managed to pull it off, although it can sometimes be confusing. Simply said, there is a learning curve to the controls.

Replay: 10/10
This game never seems to get old, for one simple reason. The concept. Sure, it may not have any of the fancy things that basketball sims have, but you can always pick it up and play a quick game with friends. The simplicity of this game is what makes it fun.

Buy/Rent?
This is definitely a buy if you like street ball, and even if you don't like basketball, rent it and give it a try.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/02/02, Updated 09/02/02