- Play on 12 authentic courts around the world, from Rucker Park in NYC to Venice Beach, California -- even courts in Europe.
- Go wild with the Gamebreakers - turn combos into a 3-man aerial dunk assault.
- The Trick Stick gives you complete control of the rock -- take your dunka nd slams further, and make up your own crazy moves.
- Show off your style with over 1,000 different custom options - hairstyles, gear and accessories are yours to play with.
- Build and customize your home court from the ground up - Create a home court advantage with new court surface, net, and backboard styles.
Product description
-------------------
The third installment of NBA Street advances the series by
adding more customization, different game modes, and new gameplay
features. Now you can build both your reputation and
show-stopping Gamebreakers on the streets by performing all-new
flashy dunks, dribble tricks, and combos. Step into the shoes of
NBA legends, current basketball stars, and original characters
from previous games. Play in familiar courts, such as The Cage
and Rucker Park, or create your own court from the ground up. NBA
Street V3 also features a new dunk contest and online multiplayer
modes.
Review
------
Some franchises just run out of steam. NBA Jam is one of them. It
started off strong – redefining video game basketball as we know
it – had a phenomenal sopre year, then plummeted from grace
with such momentum that even those who praised the series
wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. NBA Street is walking
directly in the footsteps of this highly influential game, but it
has no intention of hanging its shoes up anytime soon. While
sticking to the high-flying, rim-rockin' antics that launched the
series to the top of the charts, developer EA Canada has
implemented enough exciting new content to make the experience
fresh and addictive yet again.
In many ways, EA has gone back to the drawing board to present
the game in an entirely new light. Moving away from the mile-high
afros, graffiti-riddled courts, and playful caricaturizing of the
previous two releases, this series' ankle-breaking jukes and
orbital slams are now visualized with the utmost realism. Courts
are teeming with animated fans, leaves falling off of trees, and
breathtaking lighting effects that produce blinding rays and
photorealistic shading. The player models are also impressively
detailed with swaying jerseys, the authentication of signature
apparel, and facial texturing that is perfected to the very
pimple.
For those of you who feel that looks mean about as much as a new
hair color for Dennis Rodman, the most significant changes to
this year's addition stem from gameplay. Focusing on the most
exciting aspect of the game, dunks reign supreme in this
iteration. Above and beyond the the assortment of jams that
you'll be able to perform throughout the course of the game,
players can now customize their slams when activating a
GameBreaker. When your character takes flight, tapping the right
analog stick in different directions will make your player
perform different moves such as windmills, double pumps, and an
array of remarkable feats. More impressive yet, you can also toss
the ball to an airborne teammate before you land to create a two-
or three-man combo that will simply decimate your nent.
To ensure that players are flying through the air at any given
time, EA has also created an insanely deep Dunk Contest mode.
Bounce the rock behind your back, leap to grab it, then spin and
double pump as you bring the backboard cing to the ground. Or
if you really want to get crazy, drag props such as vending
machines and port-a-potties onto the court and soar over them.
Unlike the latest entry of NBA Live, this mode is easy to use,
has more slams in its arsenal than Spud Webb (who is in the
game), and couldn't be much more entertaining.
Regarding the battle for position on the court, EA has removed
the trick buttons in favor of ping deke moves to the right
analog stick. Each 45-degree angle performs a different move.
Apply the modifier buttons to the equation and you have an
expansive arsenal at your fingertips. This new format is much
easier to tap into and be successful with. Much like dunking, a
combo meter tracks how many dekes you can chain together and
creates a higher multiplier for the forthcoming or dunk.
Be a Legend mode has been replaced by the similarly designed and
equally amusing Street Challenge. Build a baller from the ground
up, create your own shoes, and compete in challenges that range
from dunk-only contests to the first to perform a GameBreaker. As
you gain reputation, you'll be asked to join an NBA team for
league play. You'll also get the chance to build your own court.
As nice as it is to have turf to call your own, there's little in
the way of customization options.
On occasion, your CPU nents will make somesilly mistakes
along the lines of using a GameBreaker to shoot a three-pointer
during a dunk-only contest, but the AI is still mighty
impressive. Rather than going the way of the dodo like other
arcade basketball franchises, Street continues to gain momentum
and is more desirable now than it has ever been.
Concept:
Slamfest 2005. Killer dunk contests, amazing slams, and more
windmills than Holland
Graphics:
A towering level of realism can be found in the player models,
courts, and lighting effects
Sound:
The announcer is quite funny, but he'll drive you nuts after
awhile. The soundtrack is a bit slim, but it has a number of
catchy tunes on it
Playability:
The controls are like butta. Juking and taking flight almost
becomes second nature
Entertainment:
Coming back for thirds is rarely this satisfying
Replay:
High
Rated: 9 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
Issue: March 2005
2nd Opinion:
Just when you think Electronic Arts can't take it up another
notch, out comes a new sequel that squashes the previous entry.
Today's case in point: Street 3. With a huge range of
customization options, killer online play, and a fantastic dunk
contest (that is thankfully easier to execute than NBA Live's),
Street 3 does little wrong. The use of the right analog stick
combined with the shoulder buttons to execute tricks, jukes, and
dunks gives the player more control over what actions take place
on the court, which in turn makes the game feel smoother. Even
the AI is improved (though still not quite perfect). Between the
various editions, I'd personally go with the Xbox's stellar
graphics package, but they shine on all three. Heck, you may even
have to buy the game twice, since the GC has Mario. I know,
shocker…Street Mario…is that one of the signs of the apocalypse?
Rated: 8.75 out of 10
Editor: Andy McNamara
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