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Does the latest installment in the NBA Street franchise cause a turnover or make a slam dunk?
February 19, 2005 | 12:47 AM PSTby: Briton Heitt
In late 2002, Electronic Arts introduced the street sports concept into video gaming. NBA Street was the first video game to utilize the concept, and eventually the inevitable NBA Street Vol. 2 was released in early 2003. Naturally, Electronic Arts realized that they had molded the street formula into video games nicely, and took stock in creating more differentiations of the street formula. With the success that Electronic Arts had consumed from the NBA Street franchise came the NFL Street franchise soon after.
Nowadays it is not uncommon to see more and more urban street games being released. Developers have noticed how capitalizing the street formula is and have ventured forth to create new properties associated with the street idea. We will probably be seeing more and more developers move forth into the broad, street ideal for video games. We have seen many sports turned street, such as basketball, football, and soccer. Though the street formula is successful and seems to be holding up nicely, one has to ask the question: when will the street formula get old and die? Well, seeing as to how well Electronic Arts NBA Street V3 has shaped up, it is safe to assume that the answer to that question may be more positive than you might think.
NBA Street V3 is the sequel to 2003’s fantastic NBA Street Vol. 2. Surprisingly, Electronic Arts has not strayed away from the fantastic formula that the NBA Street franchise has subdued since its humble beginnings. If anything, NBA Street V3 is basically the same package that we received from NBA Street Vol. 2, but is a more beefed up overall presention than NBA Street Vol. 2. Incorporating numerous enhancements and many more features than NBA Street Vol. 2, it is not bold to say that NBA Street V3 is the most realized street game to take advantage of the formula and keep it alive and running.
Features
Gameplay
The NBA Street franchise has always been about offering a unique street ball experience. The 3-on-3 gameplay is still fun and fast, mixing tricks and shot variations to eventually garnish a gamebreaker. Like real street ball, the object of the game is to take your team to twenty one points before your opponent. NBA Street V3 mixes this aspect up a bit by offering more game types in its playable game modes. Some games can be won at 7 points, and others at different point counts, or one can win by being the first to achieve a gamebreaker. In any case, the formula never gets old, and after two previous installments in the NBA Street series, the gameplay never gets old.
Uhh...no comment.
NBA Street V3 incorporates many new features such as the Street Challenge and Dunk Contest. Being the real meat of NBA Street V3, the Street Challenge plays out just as anyone would interpret it too. As you play at many various courts you will gain reputation with each game that you play. One thing puzzles me though. With so many new features, why lean back onto the old ‘gain reputation and rise up the ranks’ routine? In almost every street sports based video game that I can think of to date, there has always been some connection with earning reputation and defeating all in your way. It’s a great concept, but albeit overused formula. In any case, the Street Challenge is a welcome gameplay mode and is very satisfying in its own right. There are many parks to play at, ranging from the grungy courts of Los Angeles to the legendary Rucker Park. Each court is varied and some sport a crowd that will watch your game. Pull off some tricks or slam a major dunk, and the crowd will get riled up and root for you. With each game you play, you will earn more reputation and stat points which can be used in customization. Also, in any game that you win you will have the option to add one of the opponent’s team members to your team. Overall, the Street Challenge in NBA Street V3 is a nicely welcomed gameplay mode and seems to be lengthy to boot.
Nowadays it is not uncommon to see more and more urban street games being released. Developers have noticed how capitalizing the street formula is and have ventured forth to create new properties associated with the street idea. We will probably be seeing more and more developers move forth into the broad, street ideal for video games. We have seen many sports turned street, such as basketball, football, and soccer. Though the street formula is successful and seems to be holding up nicely, one has to ask the question: when will the street formula get old and die? Well, seeing as to how well Electronic Arts NBA Street V3 has shaped up, it is safe to assume that the answer to that question may be more positive than you might think.
NBA Street V3 is the sequel to 2003’s fantastic NBA Street Vol. 2. Surprisingly, Electronic Arts has not strayed away from the fantastic formula that the NBA Street franchise has subdued since its humble beginnings. If anything, NBA Street V3 is basically the same package that we received from NBA Street Vol. 2, but is a more beefed up overall presention than NBA Street Vol. 2. Incorporating numerous enhancements and many more features than NBA Street Vol. 2, it is not bold to say that NBA Street V3 is the most realized street game to take advantage of the formula and keep it alive and running.
Features
- The third installment in the popular NBA Street franchise.
- 3-on-3 street basketball gameplay.
- Introduces new features such as the Street Challenge and Dunk Contest.
- Earn reputation as you go from low baller to high baller in the new Street Challenge
- Test your rim skills in the new Dunk Contest mode.
- Create your own personal court in the new Create a Court mode.
- Nintendo Allstars are exclusive to the GameCube version of NBA Street V3 and include Mario, Luigi and Peach.
- Nintendo Court exclusive to the GameCube version of NBA Street V3.
- Multiplayer supports four players.
- Does not support progressive scan.
Gameplay
The NBA Street franchise has always been about offering a unique street ball experience. The 3-on-3 gameplay is still fun and fast, mixing tricks and shot variations to eventually garnish a gamebreaker. Like real street ball, the object of the game is to take your team to twenty one points before your opponent. NBA Street V3 mixes this aspect up a bit by offering more game types in its playable game modes. Some games can be won at 7 points, and others at different point counts, or one can win by being the first to achieve a gamebreaker. In any case, the formula never gets old, and after two previous installments in the NBA Street series, the gameplay never gets old.
Uhh...no comment.
NBA Street V3 incorporates many new features such as the Street Challenge and Dunk Contest. Being the real meat of NBA Street V3, the Street Challenge plays out just as anyone would interpret it too. As you play at many various courts you will gain reputation with each game that you play. One thing puzzles me though. With so many new features, why lean back onto the old ‘gain reputation and rise up the ranks’ routine? In almost every street sports based video game that I can think of to date, there has always been some connection with earning reputation and defeating all in your way. It’s a great concept, but albeit overused formula. In any case, the Street Challenge is a welcome gameplay mode and is very satisfying in its own right. There are many parks to play at, ranging from the grungy courts of Los Angeles to the legendary Rucker Park. Each court is varied and some sport a crowd that will watch your game. Pull off some tricks or slam a major dunk, and the crowd will get riled up and root for you. With each game you play, you will earn more reputation and stat points which can be used in customization. Also, in any game that you win you will have the option to add one of the opponent’s team members to your team. Overall, the Street Challenge in NBA Street V3 is a nicely welcomed gameplay mode and seems to be lengthy to boot.
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