"Arch Rivals: A Basket Brawl! made me run to the store and buy it."

Ok, it didn't really make me run to the store to go and buy it. Just sometime last week, I went to this place called CJ Games and got it used along with Baseball and Mario Tennis for GBC. And unfortunately, Mario Tennis won't let me save a file and this game keeps not working. I only got it working once but soon after my game, it reset. = [ Ok, time to start the review.

Concept- 10/10
it's a basketball game. How can you not have a plot in a basketball game? Basically, you beat the other team. Not too hard, huh? It's not like you select the team. Player 1 is always the home team and 2p or the computer is the away team. You have 8 guys to choose from and you only get to chose 1. Your partner is chosen at random. Also with the computer people. Randomness. And you get 4 quarters to do the game. You got to punch your way to get that ball and shoot the ball from halfway across the court to get an advantage. Well, I guess not the ball thing but you got to punch! Neato!

Graphics- 8/10
Of course not as good as the arcade version but its still quite impressive. Not the total greatest but the big characters that they show whenever you score a goal look very well done. The glass shattering affect was super cool, too. And I guess the crowd was kind of so-so, but hey, it could have been worse.

Music/Sounds- 8/10
Ok, this is where it starts to kind of go down hill. Very little music. And also not too many sound effects. It kind of depressed me. = [ Good, fun but the games music that was there was not that bad. It could have used a boost or two but hey! It's the NES. Get what you can out of this little thing. It was total lamezor but the game is still great and fun to play.

Controls- 9/10
Wow, the second time I have EVER given an NES game lower than a 10. This is only because the controls are pretty confusing for people who are just starting. Hold this button the let go and press that...just kind of too much to handle for a basket ball game. But the simple "B" button used for pinching is so easy to do. And I also enjoy telling my partner to either pass or shoot. With "A" or "B".

Replay Value- 9/10
I would have kept playing this game but it just HAD to reset on me. It almost made me cry. After beating the computer 96-56, I felt like I could dominate. But, after a while, the game will seem tedious and then the fun will diminish because you are trying to actually win. But I would love to play it more but I am in disbelief of it not freezing. So, poopers.

Rent or Buy?
Unless every other copy of this game except mine, BUY. Every NES game should be bought! Never rent these bad boys. Even if you can! Just buy the game for like 4 bucks. That's how much I paid for it. Cheap price for a good game.

The Rundown
Great basketball game with Fist-Throwing action!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/28/04