NBA Hoopz

Hoopz is basically the latest generation of basketball games in the ultra-arcadey NBA Showtime or NBA Jam vein and has little in common with the more accurate NBA simulations out there. In most respects it plays slightly better than the older arcade-style titles, if only because Hoopz is a three-on-three game.

Most gamers will immediately notice the enlarged heads and huge biceps on even the lankiest of NBA players. Also, the fast-paced action basically centers on hurling the ball around the court as quickly as possible without any regard for complicated play calling. In fact, most ballers can easily jump 25 feet above the rim for ridiculous, death-defying dunks that, of course, deliver the ultimate in sports fantasy.

Unlike most of the 2001 season of "real" basketball games for the system, Hoopz stretches gameplay with a few mini games. Included are variants on 21, Around the World, Three-Point Contest, and even the old-school 2Ball that features two-on-two team play. There are also unlockable courts for you to find. You can also easily create your own players and cause havoc throughout the NBA with wild league trades and customizations.

While the courts and backgrounds are decently drawn, the player models are disappointingly blocky and fail to capitalize on the system's power. Hoopz gives players a backward walk and the give-and-go, among other moves, but the game's emphasis on shoving, steals, and strategy-defying action confounds these nuances. --Mark Brooks--This text refers to the PlayStation2 version of the game.

Pros:

• Very easy to play
• Mini games and unlockable courts
• Strictly for basketball neophytes

Cons:

• Cartoony player graphics are uninspired
• Little to no strategy required, which kills off longevity
• Possibly too silly for its own good

Stick to NBA 2K2 which is MAD and leave this as a distant memory!

I was excited when I was on my way home after I purchased NBA Hoopz for my Sega Dreamcast. I was a big fan of NBA Jam during my high school and college years, but I was quite disappointed once I began to play Hoopz.

Although Hoopz continues the Midway Sports tradition of no rules-parody sports, I was disappointed that they included foul limits (five per quarter) in this version. One of the best features of NBA Jam or NFL Blitz is that you can do anything to your opponent (shove, clothesline, drop-kick) and get away with it.

The audio for Hoopz often causes me to scratch my head. Why do I, as the home team, get booed from the home croud whenever I start getting a hot streak or if I foul an opposing player? I often find my home fans cheering for the other team. The announcers often yell 'rejected' or 'get that shot out of here' even though the ball goes in. I can't help but to laugh when I hear the announcers butcher Peja Stojakovic's last name or when he calls a play wrong.

The best thing about this game however, is the fact that it is the closest thing to a modern day NBA Jam. It's a faster paced game than the 'reality based' basketball games which keep me from getting bored. If the minor glitches can get fixed by the time NBA Hoopz 2K2 comes out, I'll be the first one in line to get it.