'NBA Jam' covers the court when it comes to arcade feel
OK. So you're a 5-foot-5-inch couch potato with the athletic prowess of a first-grader. It still won't stop you from slamming dunks over the likes of Iverson, O'Neal and Yao. That is, if you're playing "NBA Jam 2004."
The three-on-three, arcade-style hoop game by Acclaim for the PS2 and Xbox is a performer that carries on the legacy of both high scoring and big dunking. If you're looking for a SIM basketball game, this isn't it. If you're looking for acrobatic slam dunks and the triple alley-oop, this is your game.
You can pit three of the top players from any of the 29 NBA teams against a friend or the CPU. Or, for all you multitappers, as many as six can hoop. The game play is similar to the other NBA Jams, and includes new additions like Tournament Legends, in which you can choose old-school ballers like Bird, Malone and Dr. J (look at that fro!!!) and put them on classic courts such as Boston Garden, New York City's outdoor Rucker Park, and Iguana Gymnasium a la 1950 played in black and white with a Motown soundtrack.
And, of course, NBA Jam has brought back signature features like big head mode, the hot spot and no fouls. Plus one-touch button alley-oops, 25-feet hang times, and Jackie Chan-worthy spinning air moves. Hit three successful dunks, and you're "on fire." This enables unlimited turbo, a feature which allows players to zip past their opponents in a blue streak.
But one of the coolest features is creating your own distinct player. You can build and save a player complete with a biography including a nickname, height, weight, skin tone, hair style, eye wear, tattoos and shoe brand. After that's done you can customize their abilities like speed, dribbling and a wicked three-point shot. Will he be a gigantic rebounder or a dazzling point guard?
All in all, this game is easy to play and can be enjoyed a few moments after you put it in the tray. The controls are easy to master, and the frame rate is smooth. Although the animations are slightly exaggerated, the AI's a little weak, and the moves over the top - as if a seven-point dunk isn't - the game is pretty fun. So if you have an itching to scream "in your face" after you slammed a dunk that made sparks fly out of the rim, then "NBA Jam 2004" was made for you.
Additional Information:
Video Game Review
'NBA JAM 2004'
Grade: C
Publisher: Acclaim Sports
Developer: Acclaim Sports
Platform: PS2 and Xbox
ERSB rating: E for everyone
