Let's Play...NBA Street

BBC Sport Online reviewer David Gibbon says EA Sports have finally made a great basketball game.

EA Sports have long been known as leaders in the field of sporty video games and have finally produced a brilliant basketball game: NBA Street.

For those who like to take part in a basketball simulation that is fast, action-packed and frenetic it will not disappoint.

You are put up against both NBA stars and the not-so-well-known street ballers - who I assume are well known in the US.

Each game is played three-on-three with the first team to reach 21 points declared the winners.

  NBA Street

Format: PlayStation 2

Price: £34.99

Publisher: EA Sports Big

Genre: Street Basketball

Also Available: N/A

And, as this is a game with few rules, players are free to do just about whatever they like.

There are two game modes and the single player option is the best I've ever seen on a basketball game. The action is amazingly fast, keeping you on your toes and wanting more.

Set in city environments you take your team of players across six American courts, battling against local teams.

Once through, you enter the final against the street boss and his pals.

Immediately after winning a game, you're given the chance to grab a player from the opposing team to strengthen your squad.

Alternatively, you can pick up some character development points that go towards generating your own player using the Create Character mode.

All this and there's Michael Jordon coaching you from the start.

Brilliant

Controlling the characters in the game is truly sublime.

There's a great variety of moves and tricks on offer, including various fakes and steals. These are all performed simply by pressing the square button and - when done successfully - earn valuable trick points.

Other moves are also easy to execute - including dunks, alley-oops and blocks.

What's more, it's very easy to switch between defending players - something of a sore point in many other basketball games.

The way you can combine the trick shots and other moves, all at a lightning pace, makes the game a fun, free-flowing experience.

The best move of all, however, is called Gamebreaker.

It's a special shot that can be performed whenever your trick-point bar reaches its maximum. This single move can change the face of the game within seconds - turning it around completely.

It's a great way of winning for the underdog - and helps make the atmosphere even more electrifying.

Reward

Once you've spent enough time on the court you are rewarded with cheat codes.

These can be entered via an on-screen cheat option and give players even more reason to continue playing.

  Gibbon's verdict

Graphics: 92%

Playability: 93%

Sound 84%

Realism: 86%

Overall: 90%

The graphics in NBA Street are sheer perfection, with superbly designed player animation and courts.

But despite all the positive points, the game is not without its flaws.

NBA Street offers only two game modes which is a little limiting. More would have been nice, as would some mini-games.

Worse still, the large number of characters on court without uniforms can be confusing and mastering the controls takes time.

Despite this, with practice you'll find NBA Street is the most absorbing basketball game in years.

Although I admit I rarely enjoy basketball on a console, this title had me on the edge of my seat.

It's fast, furious and, whether you like basketball or not, fantastic fun.