NBA Street

The Good
Basketball is one of my favourite sports, and I've played a number of video games that are based upon the NBA, most of which were back within the days of one 'Air' Jordan. The one title I played the most, though, was NBA Jam. Beyond just a simulated experience of the sport, it added some comic genius and an easy pick up and play formula that makes it a classic of 90's gaming.

Which leads me to NBA Street. While there were a number of games that tried to capture the elements that made Jam such a hit, so far only Street has come close, if not surpass it. For the most part, it's just as simple an experience: Choose your favourite team, filled with all the modern day stars, and take them onto the court in a street style experience, where by most of the usual rules and regulations are thrown out the window and, instead, you get a much faster and enjoyable game in its place.

Here's where things start to differ between old and new. Instead of going back and forth down the court and scoring at will, Street adds an interesting level of strategy. Sure, you can pop three after three to keep the lead until time runs out, but the true purpose of each game is to take it to the hoop as flashy as non-humanly possible and rack up the bonus points.

The flair is fun to watch, such as an Iverson no look pass or a Kobe dunk with all the added spice. But, as with most sports titles, playing with friends is far better then the computer AI. Sadly, Street was released before online play became a trend in console titles, but four mates crowding your living room isn't such a bad thing, really.

The Bad
Because this isn't a simulation, say like EA's own Live series, there aren't as many options to dive into. Each team only has a certain amount of players available, so don't expect everyone to be around.

Computer AI can be hazy at times too, especially when defending. On any mode below hard, you'll blow past them no problem. Even on hard, there are many occasions where open baskets will happen frequently. The flip side to that is, when you defend, it's far harder a task.

I think the one thing that holds Street back from being a true classic, in the Jam mold, is the fact that it tries so hard to be different but doesn't really get the desired results. We all know it has the Midway developed game written all over, no matter the visual flair. As the series went on from here, though, things began to take shape, so the first title in the series always gets the brunt of the complaints.

The Bottom Line
NBA Street, and it's many other iterations (NFL and FIFA) have now become a staple of the sports based video game scene, and that isn't such a bad thing. This first title certainly had many things going for it and, being the said Jam fan that I am, I was glad to have given it a shot.

For any lover of basketball, this comes recommended.