ESPN NBA Basketball

"ESPN-Your leader in Sports Entertainment"

I was a little reluctant to by ESPN Basketball at first look. ESPN had not made many games before, so with little experience I didn't think that they would be able to make a great game. I bought it, and it is quite possibly one of the greatest decisions ever.

Graphics-8/10
The graphics for ESPN NBA Basketball are good, but not as great as they could have been. Some character faces such as Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant are incredibly accurate, whilst lower, less-known stars such as Rashard Lewis and Zach Randolph are hideous. The stadiums are decent and accurate and the crowds are nice looking. The dunks are also beautiful looking, though not accurate.

Sound 7/10
The main menu music is definitely a negative for me. I, not being a huge fan of rap, sometimes have to mute it to play. The crowd cheering is nice, and the commentary gets repetitive.

Gameplay 10/10
There are so many different ways to play ESPN NBA Basketball. For those simulators out there, there is franchise mode, season mode, and tournaments. There is also 24/7 mode. 24/7 is probably the best addition to basketball games. It allows you to create your own character and play and take on challenges from other NBA Stars as you travel across the country. You gain items for beating certain people and your stats deteriorate if you go long periods of time without playing. Create-a-Player mode is superior in this game. There are so many faces and clothes to choose from. Whether you want a head band or pink shoes, this game has it all.

Replay Value 9/10
This game has an incredibly high replay value. Not just because of 24/7 mode and franchise mode, but you also have game sliders! you can change the three points from regular to low accuracy of making it. There are also five different difficulties to choose from. You can start at rookie and work your way up at your own pace.

Rent or Buy?
If you are a basketball fan or player, I would say definitely BUY BUY BUY! There are plenty of basketball games out there right now, with new ones coming out every year, but ESPN Basketball is a game unlike any other. If you are undecided, and have no real opinion of basketball you may just want to rent it to test it out, once you fall in love with this game, you will want to buy it right away, trust me.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/06/04