Is this the revival the nba jam series needed. Read on to find out more.
The game is set in the comic-realistic world of the NBA. You are given an option to choose from two different versions. The retro version which is basically that of the older NBA jam games and a brand new remixed version of the older games modes including some exciting power ups such as Strength, Agility and much more these power-up's can really make or break the game. My idea of the remixed mode is that you can have very mixed opinions on this because of the computer being easily able to attain the power-up's due to its precise movements.
Does it live up to its hype you may say?...What hype. Because of games like 'Call Of Duty', games like 'NBA jam' are very overlooked even if it does have a legion of fans following it.
The game is simplistic at its best and is easy for any one to pick up and play. The controls vary from that of buttons to the mish-mash of analogue sticks and the analogue stick controls can take some time getting used to, so it was good that they included tutorials using stick men as the overall figure which i find quite original and unusual.
The game-play is some of the finest to this date, from the fluidity of the characters movements to the over-the-top dunks and slams, to the wacky variety of characters including politicians from the democratic side and the republican side, The feeling of accomplishment when finally managing to get a goal streak 3 exceeds your expectations because then your basketball ignites and this is when the ball gets rolling...after five or more-so shots the flames are extinguished and that feeling of anguish will hit you like a fire ball (pardon the pun) but there is always an upside to that because of yourself having the ability to extinguish your opponents flames and it is so much better if your opponent is sat right next to you in the same room.
The graphic's can be visually compared to rag-doll kung fu due to that having the same quirkiness yet cartoony look. It is pretty damn great how much they have perfected the visuals from the old predecessor's. It basically looks like a whole new game even holding the same mechanics as the first one.
The soundtrack is brilliant and can still hold a candle to the old retro 16 bit popcorn tracks. One thing i miss is the old distortion in the soundtrack and the commentators voice it just gave me that old retro feel again and i wish that they could of made an option to include both the new and improved sounds and the original retro sounds.
The character roster in this game is built up of that of dreams, such legends as 'Magic Johnson and Larry Bird' join the new and phenomenal crowd of characters. Even the 'Beastie Boy's' make a return as well as some new teams like the stickmen and the sprite team; just to name a few.
The multiplayer and the easy to access Online modes are a great addition as well as some new modes such as '21, elimination and domination'; It's a shame the online is sparsely populated.
To conclude this review i would say that this game is the best arcade basketball game to date and could even hold its own with the said 'NBA 2k' series. If you're a newcomer or even an experienced gamer, i would highly recommend you to pick up this title, You won't regret it.