65
NBA for PSP is an ok game for being the first basketball game on a handheld in years. Wait for NBA 06 or NBA Live.
80
This game doesn't get a lot of props. It is actually a pretty cool game and has really cool online play. I would definetly suggest it if you like sports B-Ball in particular.
70
So I just recently picked up NBA by 989 because I am a basketball fanatic. I must say this game is pretty good. Despite the mixed- bad reviews, I thought it wasn't that bad.
First of all what appealed to me was all the features and game modes. There are tons of them, quickplay, exhibition, season, playoffs, online, practice (shootaround and freethrows), skills challange, 3 PT contest and Paint Mode. I was impressed with the last three mini-game modes. Paint mode is a battle to paint the court by making shots. 3pt needs no explanation. And Skills challange is an fun obstacle course of dribbling, passing and shooting.
The controls in NBA were an issue. I was dissappointed that 989 used a clutch shooting technique. I am so used to the press and release that it felt unusual. Fortunatly after playing a while it becomes second nature. But the controls knocked down my rating of it.
The pros in online play are that exhibition and all minigames are included. But the cons are that the setup is very bland and games lagged. Graphics are very well done and players faces are represented well. Animation of players is also good but some shots and layups look horrible. Load times are longer than average but aren't frustrating. Also the AI in the game is good because it is really hard to get a shot off, you have to pass and strategize.
When compared to console NBA games NBA for PSP is below average, but when compared to handheld bball games it is above average. If you are a bball fan pick this up, if you just want a bball game in your PSP collection, you're better off with NBA Street Showdown.
70
First of all, let me say that I love basketball. I try to play every day and never get tired of keeping up with stats and whatnot.
Cons
This game may seem like the holy grail when you first begin to play, but the crude textures, easy gameplay, lack of replay value, and no commentary make what would have otherwise been a classic, a rushed mess.
Pros
The shooting system is very innovative, the minigames can be fun with other people, the sound is a home run, and the controls run smoothly.
I suggest you rent this one before buying.
90
Good graphics, fun season and good mini games but there should be a dunk contest. A great game.
75
I have had this game for a few weeks now, and I think it's a solid hoop game for the psp. The full season mode gives you an nba live feel on the handheld. It's too bad you can't create a player on it though. overall i give it 7.5/10 must buy for the hardcore hoop fan.
65
I got this game only because it came bundled with my PSP order (Twisted Metal was the other).
The initial game play was good... very easy to get into and such. But the overall possibilities are fairly limited. One can complete and win the Play-offs after several attempts. Was disappointing that there weren't any movies built in, e.g. winning the playoffs or such.
65
NBA is one of the first sports efforts on the psp and besides the fact that the game looks pretty good, the slow and repetive gameplay is slow and repetetive, lol. Anyways, unless u just dont like bball, there are plenty more reasons not to enjoy this game, like espn2k5, theres not much defense, but unless you get lucky and your player chips the defender and gets by him, theres no offense either. Unless they were trying to make this more of a sim, they didnt do a good job since it just slows down the pace of the game and shooting the balls a biaatch, so is taking freethrows.
Some of the player models are bulky and even running with the "turbo" button still feels slow. The load times are bearable even though the quarters are just like 4minutes long, theres quite a bit of mini games to play and i got hooked on the 3 point contest for a bit (only a bit) and there are even ndba teams, so theres enough to keep you busy for a while even if its not that fun, because it feels like a chore.
I say that unless your absolutely a hardcore nba fan or your losing sleep and waking up in a cold sweat waiting for nba steet showdown and you need to pass the time, dont buy this game.
95
I'm a straight up sports gaming nut. The entire EA Sports line is why I bought my PSP (except for Madden.... his quips just get to me!!). This was my first PSP game and I've enjoyed every minute of it!
The menu interface is the first thing you encounter and it's beautiful and easy to navigate. One note on Season Mode: if you have a game selected in your schedule and hit the SQUARE button by accident it will simulate the game. No warning.
Gameplay is great with a shooting system that takes a game or two to become accustomed to. Hit once to jump and a second time to release (a colored halo around the ball gives you feedback when it's the best time to release for the shot). You'll find that the better the player the easier it is to make shots. I've played an entire season and still see different types of dunks and moves keeping things interesting.
The drawbacks are small and acceptable for a portable game-- especially one with such great graphics and game play. Some of the minor things are the AI of both your team and the opponents. It's a bit lame and sometimes gets caught in loops. It's rare (maybe once a season) but you'll notice when the player on your team with the ball isn't the one you're controlling. One other minor squabble is that I chose to play shorter games (I think) and in season mode I'm not even close to being in the "Leaders" charts in any catagory. PPG, Rebounds, Assists and so on are really lead by other teams playing a much longer game then I am. At the most I score about 60 or 70 points a game with the high scorer having maybe 20 points a game. Hardly enough to compete with teams scoring 100 or so points a game.
The last thing I have to mention is the "minigame" mode where you can try your skills in three different events: Skills Challenge, Paint and 3 Point Challenge. Each game is fun and really helps you get better with basic controls. After finishing the three point contest, though, it displays your score for the "first round" and lists no scores under the second and third rounds. The only thing to do at this point is to hit X to continue..... Which, surprisingly just takes you back to the main menu. No idea what that is all about. I'm assuming there are two other rounds of the three point contest I can get into but just don't have that option... Yet. Odd? Yes.
Overall, this is an excellent basketball game with continued variety and a few "minigames" to play. A must have for basketball fans!
95
For only forty bucks this game is great. This is probably the only basketball game comin out anyway. I know about NBA Street but i dont really like fake sportz it messes up the gameplay.
Gameplay/Controls
I love the gameplay of NBA. It is very like real NBA. My only problem is that the computers act like they dont try. They step out and pass out for no reason. I got preetyy bored of the press hold and relasing to shoot so this game is great. One to start shooting and one to release. The other controls are pretty basic for like other basketball games.
Season
The season mode is very basic and the schedules are the same as real life. Pretyy cool except people can trade like a rookie bench player for Shaq and the game doent check to make sure it is fair.
The mini games
This is my favorite part of this game. Playstation skills challenge helps you all around the game. You start off shooting then running obstacles to a chest pass and then a bounce pass and then another chest pass and obstacles and you finish with a layup.
I also like paint where you shoot from spots marked 1 2 or 3. My only problem is it is only 2 min. long.
3 point shootout
Basic basketball 3 point you pick up and shoot which is harder than most games because of the controls.
Overall - 9.5 - not based on the average
Gameplay - 9.0 - very fun game but shooting is annoying
Graphics - 8.5 - good graphics but glitches
Sound - 10 - realistic crowd noise and sounds
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