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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
NBA
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 25 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 13 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: 989 Sports
Genre(s): Sports, Basketball
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: March 15, 2005
Summary
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]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: NBA '06
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: GameSpot Hands-On Official Game Site
What The Critics Said
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...
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
Delivers simple but enjoyable gameplay. [May 2005, p.136]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >DarkStation
The computer AI is frustrating and the shooting mechanics are not the best of the bunch.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >PSM Magazine
The physics on the basketball are too floaty, and player control is wonky. [June 2005, p.84]
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]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Operation Sports
The on the court basketball is an uneven mess, and the game's "Season Mode" is an embarrassment.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
Lay-ups and dunks are also extremely frustrating to execute. [May 2005, p.71]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 6.9 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Sam T. gave it a2:
This game does have good graphics and it's fun to play for a few games, but then it just gets boring. No matter what difficulty, the computer is pretty easy to beat. Once you've beaten a few teams in season mode by 20+ points, you'll realize that there's no point in playing an easy game with a crappy shooting style and free-throw style, and has no franchise mode.
Cashew S. gave it an8:
I think this game is just fine. I was playing it at work and it was to much fun. the graphic are awesome. If you get it i am sure you will like it.
Jay gave it a5:
Just rent this game. once you get somewhat good you will win every game by 20-40 points. it seems like they just slapped this game together so it would be ready in time for PSP release. it has one song which gets ANNOYING! they need to add more dificulty levels. this game was fun for the first week or so.
Max X. gave it a1:
Unacceptable. No Franchise mode and we're in year 2005!? That simply won't do. And 6 game modes total, including options? That is pathetic! I'm not interested in playing one game, this game has no single player, and long term value at all. The gaming wasn't even that great. I pray that they make improvements.
Philop K. gave it a10:
This game is super sweet!!!
Erick W. gave it a10:
It is the bomb.
