NBA ShootOut 2004 – PSX – Review

Swat!
Dribble. Pass. Dunk!

Does it
get any easier? Well, actually, it can, and sometimes does. In the realm of
sports titles, the PlayStation has oft been overlooked – especially when vying
for a space in amongst the bigger, second-generation console systems. Fewer and
fewer titles are being released for it. Therefore it is rather nice when a solid
little title pops up for the system.

989
Sports and Killer Game have teamed up for NBA ShootOut 2004, a title which may
not be on the radar of most gaming fans, but is a solid little title for the
platform.

The
game itself has minimal options, and the animation is solid for the system. But
the game does have a few blocks on attempts to be an all-encompassing title for
the genre. The game speed seems a little lax, and there seems to be a few
stutters in frame rate.

NBA
ShootOut 2004 features all the NBA teams and players, including photos of the
players. Ian Eagle does a solid job of providing the play-by-play, and his
commentary is little more on pace with the game than in some titles for the
bigger cousins.

Inbounds pass for the Spurs hits the forward about 10 feet from the hoop. The
defender has sagged off, so the opening is there for a quick turnaround,
fade-away jumper. But rather than elevating for the shot, the player tosses it
up underhand without leaving the ground. Well, that is just plain wrong.

While
NBA ShootOut 2004 may fudge with some gameplay elements, it still has some nice
features. The title has three modes of play – exhibition, season and playoffs.
There is a Create-A-Dunk feature, which will allow players to customize the
dunks used in the game. This is a click-through process, but it does add
variety. You can also create a player for the game, and hold a draft.

Other
game options include editing your starting lineup, trading players and signing
free agents.

The
game controls are also simple and easy to work. Graphically the game is on a par
with other PSX titles. The camera is set from behind the action and though it
did indicate that there were other angles in the options menu, trying to enable
them proved unmanageable.

It
would be easy to dismiss this title simply because of what is available on other
consoles, but the key here is keeping it in context with what is available on
the PSX. NBA ShootOut 2004 has a few missed shots (in other words, it tosses up
a few bricks), but overall this is not a bad title for the platform. It does a
very credible job in the sound department, but misses a couple of times
graphically and in terms of player animation, but could be a pleasant little
diversion.

This
game is rated for Everyone.

Gameplay:
6.8

The
pacing of the title is a little slow, but the controls are set up for ease of
play. The game does appear to have a couple of stutters in frame rate.

Graphics:
6.8

The
animation is smooth and while the game looks a little blocky, that is par for
the platform. Some of the shot elements, though, are way off target.

Sound: 7.5

Ian
Eagle’s commentary is the standout of this game.

Difficulty: Easy

The
challenge is in the gameplay, and while the AI is solid, once you figure out the
rhythm and angles of the game, you should do well.

Concept: 7

The
game features ease of play and a simplistic options package.

Multiplayer: 7

This
game allows one or two players to go head-to-head, and also will allow up to
eight players to link via the Multi Tap.

Overall:
6.9

The
game features ease of play and, for the most part, features solid elements.
There are some aspects that dribble off the foot in terms of mirroring real NBA
gameplay, but NBA ShootOut 2004 does bring solid game to the PS One.