NBA Street V3
Score: 92% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: EA Sports Developer: EA Canada Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Sports (Basketball)/ Arcade/ Online
Graphics & Sound: One of EA’s freshest franchises just keeps getting better with time. NBA Street V3’s graphics may look like they came straight from the arcade, but they still capture the realism of the real-world players that it depicts. Arenas and outdoor venues also look amazing, and help capture the atmosphere of an unrealistic basketball “sim,” whether inside or outdoors. When it comes to audio, Street V3 delivers crisp sounds and an announcer that just doesn’t quit. While some may find the announcer to be over-the-top-annoying, I have to admit that some of the lines he spouts out are quite funny. Still, after playing for a while, many may want to hit the mute button on their TV.
Gameplay: If you haven’t taken your game to the streets yet, there’s no time like the present. NBA Street V3 is better than ever, thanks to its new features, as well as Xbox Live. But don’t worry. The same great gameplay is still included for those looking to have an arcade-at-home experience. For newcomers that are old enough to remember the days when NBA Jam reigned supreme, think of NBA Street V3 as the new champ. The game allows players to take real guys from the NBA, as well as custom created players, to the playground where defying physics is the name of the game. You’ll hit the court in 3-on-3 games that vary from traditional scoring to dunks only, or even scoring more trick points than your opponent to win. With flashy tricks and even flashier dunks and gamebreakers, V3 scores big for those not looking for a true B-ball sim like NBA Live. New to the series is the addition of the Trick Stick (right analog stick). Similar to many other EA Sports games, performing killer moves and outrageous dunks is just a flick of the stick away. What this also means is that the number of combos that you can perform skyrockets, which is why V3 now includes the Trick Book and Trick Icons to help you keep track of all of your maddening moves. Of course, what basketball game would be complete without the inclusion of a Dunk Contest? Well, fear not, because V3 not only includes one, but it has all of the bells and whistles of the real thing. Of course, the standard anti-gravity jumping and totally impossible tricks are present as well. You’ll even be able to use props to try and score huge with the judges. Just be sure to keep in mind that the harder the dunk, the harder it will be to pull it off. You’ll be trickin’ in real-time, so finishing on cue is essential to completing a killer slam. And let’s not forget about the ever-growing Xbox Live experience. It was a great day when Microsoft and Electronic Arts reached an agreement to bring countless sports franchises online. NBA Street V3 welcomes the online parade with open arms, and we embrace it right back. Now you’ll be able to whoop some ass against your bud across the country, instead of across the living room.
Difficulty: V3’s got a fairly nice level of difficulty in that it’s very easy for beginners to pick up and play without knowing a thing about the game, while still allowing veterans to have some work cut out for them to master. Within the single-player version, working your way through the ranks can actually be a bit of a struggle at first. You’ll have to use your earned points wisely to help build your player to his or her maximum potential. As you excel, so will the computer players, making for some very tight games at times. The key is to master each aspect of the game, because while some may be able to score at will, certain game types will require other skills to actually win the game. And to master one of the most exciting parts of the game, the Dunk Contest, you’ll have to practice hard-core to hone your skills. Simple dunks are easy, but game-winning dunks take perfect timing to complete.
Game Mechanics: The button layout of NBA Street V3 is very simple to pick up and play. With controls that are relatively simple in design, anyone should be able to get their groove on with a relatively non-existent learning curve. The new Trick Stick (right analog stick) allows for very quick moves in all eight directions, including during dunks. For gamers who love sports games, and want to take a break from the norm, NBA Street V3 is a great game to pick up. V3 will also appeal to those who are only passive fans of basketball, because the arcade-style and feel of the game doesn’t require that you know all of the rules. Anyone is able to jump into action instantly, making V3 accessible for anyone, young or old. The new features in NBA Street V3 will also appeal to those that have tried previous versions of the game, and anyone with Xbox Live support will love challenging others across the country.
-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele
Oddworld: Stranger\'s Wrath Singles: Flirt Up Your Life!