An evolution of rhythm action games.
Graphically the game stands well but it seems to suffer from the same fate as it's PS2 counterpart : The speed of the moves can sometimes appear slow (to someone that has seen them in real life at least). Another niggle might be that the characters in the background are poorly realised with repetitive cheering motions that don't in any way represent the crowd sounds of booing and clapping. Other than these minor complaints the game is a joy to behold.
The music chosen for the game is at best good but at worst wholly inappropriate. Had the game been set 10 years ago then much of the soundtrack would have fitted in with the era but as it's set in modern day there really should have been more up-to-date liscensed tracks. There's also a criminal shortage of them. New songs are unlocked at a slow rate but you tend to get used to hearing the same five tracks over and over. Overall I'd have to say it is a wasted opportunity - especially with the 'Urban' scene booming like it is. In spite of this the songs still deliver the required amount of energy to ensure the game runs aswell as it promises.
So having established the game looks good and sounds pretty good it's time to delve into the gameplay it offers. As mentioned earlier the game is certainly not 'pick up and play' material. Having said that though, tutorials are very well presented and clear and come accompanied with pre-rendered videos explaining everything in all it's funkadelic glory. Once you've grasped the basic controls there is a steady progression that keeps the game feeling fresh and new. It is this careful progression that gives the game it's addiction factor. In career mode you learn new moves from (often too easily) vanquished opponents and these are then assigned to your own controls for you to use in future battles. The career mode itself is pretty much by-the-numbers for anyone who's played an extreme sports game: Create a custom character (from an admittedly very limited palet), do battle with other B-Boys in differing locations, learn new moves from them and then win the occasional tournament or challenge. Although it's unoriginal it never lets up in pace.
One unusual aspect of the game is the importance of practicing your moves in your own lab (streetspiel for your warehouse-like home). Whereas practice modes in other games are something you'll only delve into on occasion, in B-Boy you'll be going back to this everytime you learn a new technique. Each technique can only be linked in and out of certain moves so it's important you find what you can use and what you can't. The more you use a technique the more transitions you earn for it meaning you can link it in with more combos. On average I'd say I spend a clear 50% of my playtime practising and improving my character's moves.
I haven't played multiplayer so I can't comment on it but the version I have has no online mode although there is some form of crosstalk between this and the PS2. I'd really like to test this but at the moment can't justify buying the same game twice.
The highest point: Solidly captures the feeling of the B-Boy culture (if maybe a little tamely) and provides hours of entertainment.
The lowest point: The horrendous loading times before bouts will have you thinking your PSP has crashed.
The bottom line: A rhythm action game with a distinctively extreme sports flavour that delivers on it's promise.