"Played the arcade version? Then you've played this."

For fans of Sega and NBA-Jam-Style basketball action, this is quite the treat. I fit into that category. After playing this game, you'll find it very hard to go back to Hangtime or the other older titles.

NBA Showtime was a great arcade game, and for this reason, it's one of the DC's best multiplayer games thus far (4/14/00).


Gameplay 9/10

To be very honest, it's been around a month or two since I have played the game. I played it a TON when I got it though. There's no problem with the control, except that it's quite a bit harder to steal in this game. Fans of defensive ''strategy'' may not like this, but then again, they'd probably stick with a sim game. I would much rather have more stealing... that's why the point-total lacks one mark from being a ten.


Sound 9/10

Everything is here and sounds life-like. You can hear all the smacks, rim rattles, and backboard bricks. After a while, the generic announcer will get VERY annoying. It seems the developers would realize tis afte 5 installments in the series (I almost forgot about NBA Jam Extreme). A 2-ma announcing team with Bob Costas and Isiah Thomas would've been the bomb. Oh well...


Replayability 7/10

You wanted an arcade game, well Sonny Boy, you got it. This isn't at all bad, but you don't get any extra modes. Er, no season? That stinks, BIG TIME. It seems the team that brought you NFL Blitz would have realized this. Also, a 3 on 3 mode would have been nice... Maybe even a one-on-one?


SUMMARY

This title will offer hours and hours of no nonsense, hard-smackin' action. Buy this over NBA 2K if arcade-style dunkfests are what you crave.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/14/00, Updated 04/14/00