NBA 09: The Inside – PSP – Preview

The PSP needs a
little hoops loving and SCEA’s San Diego Studio is ramping up to provide just
that with NBA 09 The Inside, which is a pared down version of the PS3 release,
but the game does bring on some nice arcade elements and decent hoops action. 

GameZone
received an early build of the game and while there are certainly areas that
need to be addressed, for the most part the way the game blends elements of
game-driven simulation and arcade games is a nice touch. 

Those looking
for the role-playing elements of the console version need not pick up this game.
The Life segment, that plays a prominent role in the PS3 release, is not here.
But the game does bring in some new elements that are sure to pick up the pacing
and involvement.


The game modes
include Quick Play, the ability to take the game online and download rosters,
NBA mode (which includes Exhibition, Franchise, Playoffs, Practice and the
All-star Weekend – all-star game, skills challenge and three-point contest), and
Block Party (quests such as conquest and elimiquest – five Team Games, three
Solo Games, five Carnival Games, and Pinball).

Clearly, there
is enough here to tantalize gamers. Franchise mode allows you to work out all
the parameters of the game conditions and then take on the NBA campaign. Then
you get into the heart of the action.

A couple of new
game ideas made their way into this edition of the franchise with Elimiquest and
Conquest mini-games. Conquest is a playground style game that will have you
challenging other cities to … well … conquer them. Strategy is involved and you
can only take on connecting cities so charting the course through the map is
important. In Elimiquest is another conquest style game of taking over the map
but in this one (there are no fouls) you have to score six points with a player
to eliminate him from the game (and give your team a power-up). Eliminate all
four players to win.


The pinball
games are what one would expect and provide a decent break from the action, with
the boards sporting their own nuances.

The mechanics
of the simulation part of the game have a little work at this stage (the game is
slated for release at the start of October; the build GameZone received was
released in August so many changes may already have taken place). There are, for
example, far too many blocked shots. Sure the defenders are that good, but the
shooters are very good as well and in real life often find creative ways to
avoid that big swiping hand.

The
presentation is basically from the baseline camera perspective with a Turner
Broadcasting play-by-play. The PSP’s small screen seems to do well with the
framerate regardless of the jam-packed bodies occupying the screen.

The musical
score is sedate; nothing driving the action here, but it is a nice backdrop
leading into the game.

NBA 09 The
Inside may lack some of the deep role-playing modes of the home console version,
but this title has enough different game modes to keep hoops fans intrigued
while on the road.