By Jae-Ha Kim and Misha Davenport
Chicago Sun-Times
April 7, 2003
With college basketball hitting its peak with tonight’s NCAA finals, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite hoops titles. Unfortunately, not every one is a slam dunk.
NBA 2K3 • HIGHLY RECOMMENDED • From: Sega • Reviewed for: Xbox • Rated: E for Everyone
If I was an executive at EA Sports, I’d be nervous.
EA Sports’ basketball titles used to be the definitive champions. Like the Bulls, they were unstoppable in their time. But I found EA’s titles this year to be lackluster. Sega, meanwhile, seems to be taking its cues from the Detroit Pistons. Much like the team from the Motor City, Sega’s game has improved leaps and bounds over last year. The ESPN branding lends an authenticity to game play. Players are incredibly detailed, right down to the tattoos on their forearms, and the arenas are more or less faithfully rendered as well.
If there is anything to criticize, it’s the game’s artificial intelligence. CPU-controlled players have a tendency to push you out of bounds. They also have a tendency to take half-court “Hail Mary” shots and actually make them more often than not.
Despite this, the game is nothing but net. –Misha Davenport
NCAA 2K3 COLLEGE BASKETBALL • HIGHLY RECOMMENDED • From: Sega • Reviewed for: Xbox • Rated: E for everyone
If you’re wondering what Sega has done with the ESPN license since it wrestled it away from Konami last year, look no further than “NCAA 2K3.” I played this game in between watching the Big Ten playoffs on ESPN, and it was sometimes hard to tell where the live coverage ended and the game began.
Granted, the rather blandly rendered players could be more realistic. NCAA rules prohibit players’ names and likenesses from being used in a licensed game, though. Sega makes up for it through detailed arenas, crowds and the lifelike movements of the players. –Misha Davenport
NBA LIVE 2003 • RECOMMENDED • From: EA Sports • Reviewed for: GameCube • Rated: E for everyone
After Sega’s superb basketball titles, EA’s “NBA Live 2003” comes off as a runner-up. Think of it as an attractive bridesmaid, rather than the bride.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with this game. The action is surprisingly seamless and moves at a brisk pace. But there’s also nothing new that will excite fans who own the predecessors to this game. As before, the computer will beat you down if your guys aren’t up to speed with its players.
The crowd noise is enthusiastic throughout the game and makes up for the cloying commentary. And there are some good rap songs on the soundtrack by the likes of Snoop Dogg.
The players have a realistic look to them, but their features are off a tad. A little graphical tweaking would’ve perfected their characteristics and given their arms and legs a less sluggish, cartoonish feel. As for the stadiums, the United Center looks pretty much the same as any other, and you never know where you are. –Jae-Ha Kim
NBA INSIDE DRIVE 2003 • RECOMMENDED • From: Microsoft • Reviewed for: XBox • Rated: E for everyone
In the crowded field of basketball video games, something has to set a title apart from the crowd. For Microsoft, it’s all about getting you in the game.
What sets “NBA Inside Drive 2003” apart from all the other titles is the RPG element of the “Create a Player” mode. You control appearance, background and skills. I was able to create a player who closely resembled me–of course he had a better jump shot, though. As you play through several games, you pick up additional skills that take you from bench-warmer to superstar in no time. It makes for a highly addictive game.
The game’s one drawback is the absence of online play. For all the resources Microsoft has put into its XBox Live, it’s odd that its own basketball title wouldn’t support it. Oh, well, there’s always next year. –Misha Davenport
NBA SHOOTOUT 2003 • SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED • From: 989 Sports • Reviewed for: PS2 • Rated: E for everyone
Much has been made of the graphical limitations of PlayStation. However, games such as the “Grand Theft Auto” series show that, done right, the visuals can be just as vivid as the gameplay. Unfortunately, that doesn’t translate to “NBA Shootout 2003,” where the players are mostly unrecognizable and almost blocklike. In real life, basketball is a deceptively fluid and graceful game. But here, the moves are choppy.
The player is given the option of playing in exhibition, regular season and playoff modes. Go for the exhibition setting, which is the most fun for players who want to have a little more control of their b-ball. Creating a player to challenge the foe of your choice is a kick. I particularly enjoyed pitting my 5-foot-7, 100-pound scrapper against the likes of Shaq and watching him outdunk the pros.
The commentary flows at a nice pace and is helpful in ID’ing the players. Trust me, you need this function, because unless you recognize their numbers, you won’t be able to tell apart their pixilated faces. –Jae-Ha Kim
DISNEY SPORTS BASKETBALL • SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED • From: Konami • Reviewed for: GameCube • Rated: E for everyone
Software giant Konami has taken it upon itself to answer the one question that has been plaguing mankind since 1927: Sure, the mouse is cute, but has Mickey got game?
“DSB” is a kids’ game that features Mickey, Donald and others in exhibition, regular season, playoff and all-star game modes, just like the grownup titles. The two-player game was fun, especially when I played as Minnie and smacked the ball out of a certain sputtering duck’s hands, took a Hail Mary shot from midcourt and actually made the basket.
The single-player games were a lot more difficult. Passing is the worst, because the player you are passing to is usually offscreen. Most of the time, the computer-controlled team ended up stealing the ball before I realized that my player was in position. It makes the game ideal for family fun (up to four can play against each other), but most kids are going to find the computer in the one-on-one mode too difficult.
Now that that’s settled, we can move onto more pressing matters. Such as whether white ducks can jump. –Misha Davenport
NCAA FINAL FOUR 2003 • SOMEWHAT RECOMMENDED • From: 989 Sports • Reviewed for: PS2 • Rated: E for everyone
I’ve generally found that playing college sports games is more fun than selecting pro teams with known players. Because colleges don’t license game publishers to use their players’ likenesses, there is no Chris Thomas playing for Notre Dame. You’re more in control when you play as your favorite team.
This game’s strength is in the variety of modes. Besides basic season and tournament, there are two different dynasty modes that allow you to have more control of your team in terms of coaching and even practice. Unfortunately, actual play is hindered by clumsy functions, such as not allowing enough time to hit the pass button. Honestly, I doubt even Thomas could pass the ball in less time than this game allows you to hit certain buttons.
One thing that might pep up this franchise is the inclusion of cheerleaders during the game. I’m not talking about dancers prancing around at halftime, but rather acrobatic young women (and men) who make up the squads for elite cheerleading squads like Notre Dame and UCLA. –Jae-Ha Kim
NBA STARTING FIVE • NOT RECOMMENDED • From: Konami • Reviewed for: PS2 • Rated: E for everyone
I’ve always been able to excel in sports–via a video game, I mean. I can’t skateboard for the life of me, but give me a Tony Hawk game and I can execute tricks worthy of a gold medal. Skiing in real life? I don’t think so. But I’m a virtual whiz if you give me a couple hours to “work out.”
So it was with some concern that I discovered I am a better basketball player on a real court than I am when playing “NBA Starting Five.” I realized this was one of those rare cases where it really isn’t me–it’s them.
The rebound function is so screwed up on this game, it defies logic. A ball goes up and lands a couple of feet away from the player. What does he do? He walks at almost a turtle’s pace to get it. Instead of getting cut from the team, this same player then goes on inexplicably to miss shots that a kid would be able to make during a game of H.O.R.S.E.
These kinks are easy to overlook during the first half hour or so of gameplay. But after that, why bother? None of the other features is compelling enough to make you want to deal with the mess. –Jae-Ha Kim
