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.

Publisher:
Midway

Platform:
PS2/XBox

Rating: 9/10