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« on: February 24, 2005, 05:30:13 PM »
EA sports has taken quite a dive in quality over the past year or so. Every major EA sports title has failed to upgrade there product significantly enough to make heads turn, like they have in the past. Has EA Sports Big followed there bigger brother into mediocrity?
Short answer? No.
V3 boasts a great many things. These things include; Amazingly unrealistic air-time, excellent character creation, a relatively deep "Street Challenge" mode and even Mario, Luigi and Peach as the Mario AllStars. The addition of "The Trick Stick" allows you to toggle through some over the top, Globe-Trotter esque tricks with the swiftest of ease. "The Game Breaker" will allow you to not only increase your score substancially, but decrease your opponents - with amazingly unique moves that arent even close to physically possible.
In the Street Challenge mode (Basically Career mode), you start by creating a character, a team, a court and a rep. You start by playing other shmo's on your way up to NBA Street allstar. Facing countless teams in games of 3 on 3 with the occasional sckewed rule in an attempt to earn "Rep" to increase you and your teams talent.
Visually, NBA Street Delivers with a variety of well designed character models, some nice blur and "Game Breaker" affects. The subtle saturation of colors definately helps V3 stand above, not only it's previous titles - but it's clones as well.
Audio wise, its very well done. A wide sound-track featuring variety of new and experianced musicians, and a few original tunes will give you something enjoyable to listen to, whilst your breakin' rims. The notable addition of (and believe me, I never thought this'd ever be a positive) the "Beastie Boys" as both the artist's of the theme song and playable characters will keep you wondering what else EA's got up there sleeves. The announcer is relatively funny, and legitimately sounds like he's watching the game.
Oh, its not all good people. The one main issue that I came across after my time with NBA Street V3, was the eventual loss of intrest in playing games. The arbitrary "3 on 3 to 21" is the gameplay mode you'll be forced to play most often, and the other modes, at least in story, are just minor alterations to said mode. For instance, you'll be asked to score 12 points in dunks, or the game will go up to 30, or points will be doubled - nothing substancial is done differently. At least not from where I see it.
Overall
NBA Street V3 is definately my favorite B-Ball title in a long while. Despite some monotony in the actual gameplay, it's still has a unique-ness that you wont be able to find in any Sim game.
Graphics - 18/20
Gameplay - 15/20
Audio - 19/20
Unique-ness - 20/20
Multi-Player - 16/20
Overall - 88/100