Remember that
song that was associated with the Michael Jordan/Bugs Bunny movie that involved
basketball. Come on, you know it. It had the chorus that went “I believe I can
fly … I believe I can touch the sky …”
Ok, you’re
humming it, admit it. Well, with NBA Street Homecourt, you do get a sense of
flying. The dunking is not only amazing in that you have to wait to descend
significantly to slam the rock through the hoop, but the variety of dunks you
can pull off makes the game rather entertaining.
Throw in a wide
variety of gamebreaker moves and you have a next-gen console title that picks up
the revered turf of the NBA Street franchise and moves it forward into the
high-def age with an ease that makes using your teammate as a launching pad for
a dunk from the top of the key seem like child’s play. We are talking wickedly
surreal moves and dunks, and a basketball title that is briskly paced, will
illicit an assortment of “oohs” and “aahs,” as well as trigger a few laughing
fits at the variety of antics these ballers can pull off.
Wait a minute …
Using a teammate as a launching pad? Yep. A quick tap of the directional pad and
a teammate runs to the top of the key, kneeling to the ground. Nope, not looking
for a missing contact lens, but rather providing a step for the ball handler to
run in, spring off the back, fly through the air well above the rim to deliver
an astounding, backboard-rattling jam.
It’s all part
of the fun.
For the
uninitiated, Homecourt, and the previous Street titles, allows players to take
on the guise of a pro basketball player (or create their own) and then take to
the streets for some action that not only defies gravity but parlays the more
outrageous street moves into the game. But whereas Street was starting to get a
little ponderous with the control scheme, Homecourt simplifies the entire
process to render out a game that is very user friendly.
While the
majority of the play selection is relegated to the D-pad, you can modify choices
with the shoulder buttons (R1, L1 and so on).
Pull off a
variety of tricks, boost the gamebreaker scale and then put the ball through the
hoop to score big points. The game also pays attention to some street moves when
it comes to defense. Remember, there really isn’t a ref, so you can get away
with a little pushing and shoving here and there.
When it comes
to the physics, the dev team paid attention to real life. Ok, so the actual
shots don’t approximate the real world, but there are some constants. Smaller
players, like Allen Iverson, will handle the rock much better, while the
physical presence of the larger players is tough to counter in the lane.
The game has a
variety of play options, including practice and quick play, along with some
challenges that may have you trying to “out-trick” your opponent. All in all,
this game has a variety of play styles that should keep most street ballers
happy for a while.
Then there is
the Trick Remixer, a bit of innovation that allows players to step outside the
linear limitations that some arcade sports titles force on players. The Remixer
allows for a sandbox feel that really allows players to be creative in pulling
off tricks. Tricks can be modified as you pull them off by using the L1 and R1
buttons and camera control allows gamers to put together some nice little
highlights to show off to friends. But while much of what is here may be
familiar to players, there are some new moves that help elevate the game – like
the always-fun double dunk. Also new is the Homecourt Challenge, a single-player
career mode. You can level up your player, acquire new uniform items and so on.
The game also
features a nice mix of NBA stars and even some WNBA stars.
Graphically the
game soars (pun intended). With slick animations, this game is very easy on the
eyes. The sound is first rate as well.
If there are
any downsides to this game, it would have to be the lack of overall game modes,
but clearly what is included in this edition will keep players pumped up and
dunking for a long time … well, unless outside shooting is your forte.
NBA Street
Homecourt is a wonderful leap forward into the high-def next-gen era for the NBA
Street franchise. The graphics are wonderful and the action can produce those
moments when, as a player, you do a fair imitation of the ‘deer in the
headlights’ look. Yep, you will chuckle, laugh out loud, be amazed and generally
have a lot of fun with this title.
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Gameplay:
8.9
There could have
been a few more gameplay modes offered, but what is here is well-thought out and
executed. The controls are not hard to learn and the overall flow of the game is
excellent.
Graphics:
9.0
Great animation
gives this game the graphical punch needed to pull players in. The game does not
have a real-life look, though, but it still fits in with the general style of
the game.
Sound: 8.2
Generally a good
soundtrack and the sound effects and on-court chat is what one would expect.
Difficulty:
Medium
Learn the controls
and you will be able to compete well. Elevate your created player’s skills and
you will dominate.
Concept: 8.7
The franchise is
moving forward. There is enough new stuff here to make the game feel as fresh as
it looks.
Multiplayer:
8.5
It’s a cliché, but
playing against another human is always tons more fun than playing against AI –
if for no other reason than you can taunt or talk smack to AI and hope to get a
reaction, or smack thrown back in your face.
Overall: 9.0
Sure, it’s an
arcade-style game, but you will invest time with the career mode and the
gameplay is fluid and fun, the graphics are wonderfully realized and the control
scheme is easy to understand. As a next-gen foundation for the series, EA has a
certified winner here.
