NBA Street

EA Sports has been hitting and missing with their sports titles on the PS2. Madden, NHL, soccer and boxing have all had impressive titles on the ps2 thanks to EA, but the baseball & basketball series haven't had such a blazing debut. That is, until now. EA has allowed the canadians of EA big to give basketball that same makeover they gave snowboarding. What's the result? One of the best games on the ps2, and any system for that matter.

In this game, EA Big takes the 'tricky' mechanism that made SSX so great, and incorperate it into a 3-on-3 streetball game showcasing the flashy moves and style of playground basketball. There's more to do than just play ball. Here, you have to do tricks and combos together to unlock new venues to play, your favorite NBA Players, new games and cool create a player characters and accessories. The challenges are ENDLESS. Take on a level-based tournament, facing Streetball legends that you must beat and unlock to reach the top. During this tournament, you have the legendary Michael Jordan as an option to place on your team...until the final battle where you have to take on Mr. Airness himself. If thats not your cup of tea, battle in a 3 to 4 game match to determine who's the "King of the Court".

This game is overly addictive. Once you pop this game into your system, time becomes nothing more than a word to annoy your vocabulary. You will be so engaged to beat the next team, and score the highest tricky point score that you will ignore normal hygeine practices. Don't let you loose, then you'll play the game over and over until you get past that challenge. That my friends, is the key to a great game. Though you may loose, it doesn't get frustrating or boring to play it over again. It just gets that more exciting. The comments from the game commentator are downright hilarious (Imagine Stuart Scott of ESPN doing the talking), and the new characters that are unlocked add more flava to the game. From the white boy Drake from Detroit (who can rain threes like a mad man) to the 7 ft Asian Takashi (Mutumbo on acid)...each one carries their own personality that make NBA Street not only fun to play...but fun to watch.

The control may seem a little weird at first, but once you play for a few minutes. You will see that it seems a lot harder than it truly is. Once you get that down, you will be in the zone. You will then be able to try and master the tricky system, which takes this game from the typical "NBA Jam" type game to something all its own. Strining together cross overs with pump fakes and alley oops are what its all about, the more points..the more things you unlock and the faster you get your gamebreaker. "Gamebreaker" you ask? This occurs when you get enough trick points. Your bar will begin to flash, and if you execute it will add one point and take away one point from your oppenent (Two points if you shoot a two pointer). This can change the way a games score looks totally, because a two point gamebreaker shot can cause a 4 point turn around. This can bring the game back into reach if you were struglling, or but the dagger in the heart of the opponent. Its freakin awesome!!

Every game has a few faults, and NBA Street is no different. Basically, NBA Street has a serious bug in it that sometimes really pisses Vigilante off. The 2 point line (three point line in regulation NBA games) really doesn't mean a thing. If your player happens to be in the general vicinity of the line (behind it, on it, or 2 feet in front of it) it will be classified as a two pointer. I know there aren't any ref's in teh game, but this is something that just shouldn't be happening. Also, the fact that you can snatch a ball out of the air 24/7 without goaltending problems makes the team with blockers damn near unbeatable. I think this is a nice challenge for the game, as it causes one to use Tricky's a little more wisely. It also is pain in the ass, and cane become somewhat frustating from time to time. If there was an option to turn goaltending on & off, this whole little mishap would be avoided.

NBA Street is the ONLY basketball game on the ps2 that anyone should own. Take Live back if you own it, and trade it in for this. This is the best bball game on this system, hell the best one on any system. Street is one of the few PS2's MUST HAVE games. Stop reading this damn review now, and go get it.

The Good!		The Last Word(s): EA BIG has done it again. First it was SSX, now its NBA Street. They have changed the way that people look at these sports genres, and made two must have PS2 titles. It doesn't even matter if you're a basketball fan or not. This game has to be owned, you will never have so much fun on a videogame system for some time. Final Rating: 98% Iconish
EA BIG = God of Sports graphics Replay Value unmatched by most games. Create a player is awesome, and detailed. Single player and Two Player Mode are wonderful.
The Bad...
Option to turn goaltending on & off is seriously needed. After a few days of playing, commentator becomes a tad repetitive The stats for all players is not available.
The UGLY.
Can someone please tell me why you can make two point shots WAY in front of the two point line?