NBA Ballers: Phenom

"Good thought that needs a little more"

This game looked great on TV because it was a basketball game that was
different than just NBA Live or NBA 2K6 but after a while you might be missing those games. One of the most repetitive games I've ever played. But you can try it out and see what happens.

Gameplay 4/10: It's really fun at first because you're really amazed at all the moves and alley-oops and act a fools. It's fun to juke your opponent so bad he falls over and stuff. But after awhile you start realizing how dumb it is that somebody would fall down while trying to defend someone that is just putting the ball between their legs. Once you play it for a little bit the game gets really easy and you can beat most of your opponents without too much of a problem. Along with getting easier it also gets really repetitive. I'm talking like blowing your brains out repetitive and the loading times are ridiculous which doesn't help much either. But if you are a huge basketball fan and you like watching streetball then you would probably like it.

Story 2/10: Not very interesting and could easily be the same game without even having a storyline. It's nice to have a cutscene every once in awhile though.

Graphics and sound 8/10: Good graphics and when somebody blocks a shot and you go back and slow-motion replay it he always makes contact with the ball and you'll never see a slow-motion instant replay where the ball will go through the defender's hand and doesn't get blocked. So all that is good. But you do see a couple of ballers cheering when they're opponent scores and shaking their head when they score but other than that it's good. All the sound is fine and the soundtrack includes unpopular rap/hip-hop/R&B.

Play Time/Replayability 2/10: Doesn't take much time at all to beat. Put a good week into it and you'll be done. There is really no point at all in replaying the game unless you want to go back and do some mini-games. Otherwise it's all the same.

Overall 4/10: Not the best game in the world but if you want a little side game to play maybe pick it up. If you can rent it for a week that would probably be better. If a friend has it, have them lend it to you for a week or two. Some of my friends have been able to beat the game on their own profile by just playing it when they were over my house a couple days. But if you like basketball and you can deal with insane loading times I recommend it to you.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 02/22/07