NBA Street Vol. 2

"The best B-ball game... EVER"

Oh my god! It's here! The best street b-ball game has come to town! And is it good? No, you're wrong. It's GREAT!

GAMEPLAY 10/10
First, I just want to tell you this is NOT a simulation game. This is a total insult if called a simulation.
After playing all the basketball games, this, reigns on top without a single doubt. The game delivers an excellent performance in every single aspect. You have a few modes to play (Pick-up, NBA challenge, Be a Legend and Street School). Few, but a very solid few. The game is simple, score 21 points before your opponent do. But don't misunderstood me, the AI is not stupid. They guard you well, they block your shots, the steal your ball, and they slam your house HARD. Don't let the AI hog all the fun. You too can make a serious 360 dunks, dish to alley-oop, etc, etc. The best part and my favorite part of the game is the gamebreaker (It's like limit breaks for RPG games).
When you deliver the gamebreaker, your opponent can kiss victory goodbye! Especially when you delivered level 2 gamebreaker. But the difficulty level can be adjusted thus making it suitable for even first-timers.
The career mode(Be a Legend) steals the show. You started as a nobody baller. Form a team and make your baller a legend. Too bad it's short. Can be completed under 9 hours.
The 4 player game is the cream of this game. Seriously. It's the best party game since Timesplitters 2! You can be the ooP, beat your friends 21-0 and trash-talk at the same time!(The best part)

GRAPHICS 10/10
Two words. Just two: VERY SWEET. The shadows maybe not real timed, but it's accurate and realistic. The environment makes the court looks alive with fogs, cars, busses, spectators, etc etc... truly. But one thing that makes the game differ from others is the bump-mapping. Example: At NBA Live 2003, when a player dunks, the ball passes through him. At NBA Street Vol.2, when a player dunks, put it anywhere, it'll bounce off. SWEET.

SOUNDS 10/10
With commentator like Bobito Garcia (a.k.a. DJ cucumber slice) just make the game better. He talks accurately, like he's in the game! Seriously, without this guy's voice, I've would give this game 8/10! The hip-hop track, well, I like hip-hop music so I like it. The track just mixed with the ball-game, you just gotta love it.

CONTROLS 8/10
Okay, this part is not very good. Just good. Well, in every basketball game you will have the analogs to move your baller, triangle for rebounds, circle to shoot, etc, it's normal until the BOOST button come along (The shoulder buttons). You gotta press em' simultaneously with different combinations each time if you want a new fancy trick. At first, it will be hard. A few weeks later, it's still hard! Need total concentration on that.

OVERALL 10/10
There you have it, The B-ball game!
The controller is good. But EA Sports right analog stick is still better. Should you rent or buy? Buy it. You can keep it until the end of the year and (probably) next year too.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/04/03, Updated 05/04/03