
by
Ted Kritsonis
Faze
Video Game Editor
NBA
Ballers follows a trend that EA’s NBA Street started
a few years ago: a basketball game that insists on being very
different than the way the game is actually played in the
NBA. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but you
can only have so many street b-ball games before things get
a little saturated.

In this case, NBA Ballers takes an approach directed almost
entirely at the lifestyles of NBA players. So, that means
that everything from cars, jewels, clothes and even friends
are up for grabs in this one. In this game, slick button combinations
bring slick moves, which is the best way for you to get what
you want. But, as you could expect in a game like this, you
get your interesting oddities. First, there’s what I
call the triple-threat match, which pits you against two other
players. The thing is, it’s every man for himself, so
you have to use your slick moves to beat two guys who want
what you got, or want what you’re trying to get. Then
there’s Rags to Riches mode, which is almost like American
Idol on a street basketball court.
For
those two features alone, this game offers an intriguing alternative
to the other “street” basketball games out there.
Its visuals are extremely well done and that’s a big
reason why all the “flash” in the game can be
backed up. Plus, the PS2 version also supports online play,
which is always nice. After all is said and done, NBA Ballers
is worth a look because of the way it presents itself and
because it can make fun of itself in the process.
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Publisher:
Midway
Platform:
PS2/XBox

Rating:
9/10
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