GameSpot | GameFAQs | SportsGamer | Metacritic | MP3.com | TV.com
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How Metascores Are Calculated
55
Blokus Portable: Steambot Championship
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
The first, real basketball simulation ever created for handheld entertainment systems. NBA for the PSP provides gamers with all the fast-breaks, precision passing, and above the rim action that fans have come to expect from their sport. Supporting multiple players via a Wireless multiplayer connectivity, NBA for PSP tests the skills of all hoopsters with a variety of gameplay options including an all-new Practice Mode, Play Off Mode and Full Season Mode complete with simulation, trades, free agent lists, injuries and challenging basketball. Additionally, NBA for PSP offers gamers a selection of mini games, including Paint Mode, where gamers compete in a color-the-court challenge, the 989 Sports Skills Challenge Mode, similar to an All-Star type competition, and the 3-point Challenge. During both single and multi-player gameplay, NBA for PSP features the 'Clutch' Shooting Mechanism, where a gamers skill and timing along their ability to pull off spin moves, jukes, pump fakes and other special moves will determine if the shot goes in or clanks off the rim. [SCEA]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 89
Next Level Gaming
I am blown away by the quality of NBA. It's not perfect, and I think going forward, there needs to be some tightening of the computer AI. But other than that and the freaky free-throwing, this is one impressive handheld Basketball game.
 75
PGNx Media
If you plan on using the game’s online component, NBA is a good purchase. Otherwise, wait for more capable basketball games to be released.
71
Game Chronicles
Serious fans of the sport will likely want to wait for something better to come along, at least something with more reliable shooting mechanics and much better A.I.
70
Da Gameboyz
I couldn’t help but notice that there were glaring issues with AI that made this game a little ‘wonky’ at times. However, the graphics were a pleasing sight and helped this reviewer enjoy the game a little more.
70
BonusStage
All 989 needs to do is tweak the shooting system to add more shot variety and more sensible timing for players seeking realism, tighten up the sound department a bit, and add a more robust multiplayer mode.
70
GamePro
This isn't a game that's going to make you want to abandon your big-screen basketball games by any means, but it can be enough to temporarily satisfy a serious basketball jones.
69
GameZone
A basic basketball engine that features a unique shooting system. It didn't work out too well, but I'll still thank the developers for trying something new.
67
Gaming Age
The two on two and twenty-one varieties have been done very well, but no one has been extremely successful at anything where you control more than two players at a time.
66
Gaming Target
If you need a hoops sim and can't stand NBA Street, or want something to play online and show off how cool Wi-Fi can be, this is your only choice, and that might be good enough as long as the problems with the game can be forgiven with time.
65
1UP
Not a bad game by any stretch, but simply feels half-baked-somewhat of a throwback to "NBA Shootout 2000" on my PlayStation, when I was expecting something a bit more contemporary.
63
Game Informer
Delivers simple but enjoyable gameplay. [May 2005, p.136]
61
Armchair Empire
It is probably only worth a purchase if you are a huge basketball fan and just have to have a five-on-five.
60
Game Over Online
A limited seasonal play, shoddy AI and an inaccurate shooting mechanic has NBA riding the pine instead of charging the court. Definitely for the fanatical B-Ball player only.
60
DarkStation
The computer AI is frustrating and the shooting mechanics are not the best of the bunch.
60
IGN
And say what you might about "some games require you to learn complicated button schemes," the basic moves always require basic controls, and something as basic as shooting should be treated the same way.
58
PSX Nation
Not even support for the handheld’s online network and some decent graphics will be enough to entice anyone to overlook the poorly-implemented controls and minimal sounds in this first-generation disaster.
55
GameSpot
Unfortunately, the core gameplay in NBA is lackluster in presentation and execution, making it difficult to recommend to anyone but the most hardcore basketball fanatics dying for a portable fix.
55
PSM Magazine
The physics on the basketball are too floaty, and player control is wonky. [June 2005, p.84]
50
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Although its filled with flaws, this is still a very playable on-the-go b-ball game, even with the occasional bugs and an unthinkably bad free-throw system. [June 2005, p.98]
49
PSX Extreme
NBA is beyond lackluster and barebones, it’s downright sloppy. Launch title or not, this may very well be 989’s worst sports effort since the first PS2 "GameDay" title.
40
Modojo
It's an embarrassment to the sport of basketball as portrayed by videogames, a pick-up game between ten players who have broken legs and are trying to walk on them.
40
Operation Sports
The on the court basketball is an uneven mess, and the game's "Season Mode" is an embarrassment.
40
Play Magazine
Lay-ups and dunks are also extremely frustrating to execute. [May 2005, p.71]
30
GameSpy
As a whole, NBA is about as generic as its name. It includes the spectrum of teams, players, logos, and all that jazz, but fails to capture any of the flair or excitement of a real game.
25
Game Revolution
Shoddy control and rough A.I. mar the gameplay, while the lack of any sort of deeper Franchise system leaves bus-stop managers out in the cold. If it weren’t for the online play, 989 should be permanently benched.
Sam T. gave it a2: Cashew S. gave it an8: Jay gave it a5: Max X. gave it a1: Philop K. gave it a10: Erick W. gave it a10: |
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