NBA Ballers

by Midway

Product Features

• Play against the very best in the game -60 current and 24 all-time legends, for their incredible homes and property
• Realistic graphics, players moves and reactions -watch players' celebration moves when they score big
• Go from rags to riches by creating your own player and putting him up against the world's best ballers
• And see their embarrassment when their skills are denied
• Features expert in-game commentary and an explosive hip-hop soundtrack

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008XKZN
• Item model number: 031719300181
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)

Product Description

Platform: Xbox

Game Informer Review

This isn't just a game about basketball. It's about the NBA lifestyle and the pursuit of becoming rich and obnoxious. Through a mode dubbed Rags to Riches, gamers will make the journey from no-name street baller to the king of the NBA court. Whether you're dropping dimes at Kevin Garnett's residence, breaking ankles on Scottie Pippen's yacht, or making legends look like punks at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, you'll gain respect and the ever important bling bling that comes with it. By winning tournaments, you'll procure cash that can be used to purchase clothing, tattoos, and vehicles.

Going into this review, I really didn't know what to expect from this lifestyle angle. Truth be told, I was convinced that it was going to be one of the cheesiest things I've ever laid eyes on. Thankfully, Midway went out of its way to make this experience thoroughly engrossing, highly interesting, and above all, rewarding to the player. Not only does it give you a glimpse of the players' lives, it delivers a story (yes, this is a sports game with plot), and brings out the collector in you. The number of unlockable items isn't nearly as extensive as I would have hoped (especially in character and crib customization), but you usually find yourself unearthing things of value – like hidden players and videos that give you a behind-the-scenes look at the NBA.

The action on the court is equally as impressive. Basically take the setting of Julius Erving and Larry Bird Go One-on-One and insert the high-flying gameplay of NBA Street into the mix. The controls are silky smooth, the computer opponents prove to be extremely skilled, and the moves that you can perform would make a Globetrotter stare in amazement. Not only can you bounce the ball off of your opponent's face (which gives you a split second to break for the hoop), you can use their back as a springboard, and toss the ball to a friend stationed courtside to set up an alley oop.

From a technical standpoint, I absolutely love how the ball cursor is used for rebounding. The realism that accompanies stealing is equally as handy. In other hoops titles, I always find myself jamming on the steal button to try to knock a ball out of a player's hands. In this game, loose balls are not randomly decided. If you get your hand on the rock at the opportune time, you'll strip it free. On a negative note, I don't like how the Act a Fool dekes are randomly produced. I often found that the moves my player would perform would go against my drive.

All told, my complaints are few and my praise is high. NBA Ballers is a fresh spin on the NBA that brings great depth, dynamic gameplay, and fevered multiplayer to the video game court.

The Edge

Both versions of Ballers excel in different ways. Online gameplay is exclusive to the PlayStation 2. Given the intensity of the one-on-one play, talking trash through the headset is sweet thing. While the Xbox lacks online, it lights up the screen with amazing HDTV support. It's a beautiful game to begin with, but viewing it in 480p or 720p is truly a sight to behold.

Concept:
Combine the grit of street ball with the flash of MTV Cribs to create a unique and rewarding one-on-one basketball experience

Graphics:
A visual slam dunk that features realistic character models and unbelievable animations

Sound:
An excellent collection of underground rap tracks and a catchy theme song by DJ Supernatural

Playability:
Finely tuned, perfectly balanced, and incredibly responsive. Ballers' gameplay is right where it needs to be

Entertainment:
It's a great multiplayer experience, and the bevy of unlockable content gives single player legs

Replay:
High

Rated: 8 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
Issue: May 2004

2nd Opinion:
I must admit that I was a little wary of a b-ball game that only featured one-on-one play, but Midway's NBA Ballers is surprisingly engaging. The play mechanic is solid, with silky smooth controls that offer great battles against both human and computer opponents. I would have liked to see some more variety in the move set, and more depth in the lifestyle content (tours of the homes or yachts you play at would have been nice, and I wish I could have designed my own MTV-worthy crib), but what's here is more than enough to please most NBA fans. The lack of online play for the Xbox version is a complete bummer, but in the end it doesn't really matter, as the online play isn't as engrossing as I had hoped. If you have to choose, go Xbox just for the high-definition support, but either version will entertain.

Rated: 7.75 out of 10
Editor: Andy McNamara


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Product Description

NBA Ballers delivers the pure essence of basketball, with the excitement of playing against the game's greatest - and the thrill of living an NBA star's life! Play wild one-on-one games with world-famous b-ball stars, and earn money for the hottest homes, cars and clothes.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WoW!!!!, June 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: NBA Ballers (Video Game)

NBA Ballers is one of the best basketball games ever. Rags 2 Riches is a blast and just playing a regular game is fun. Making your own house is a very cool feature and its fun to create a baller. One thing that makes the game fun to play is the great music. NBA Ballers brings streetball to your home but doesn't go to far. Midway has created the perfect balance of street and regular ball. This game is one of a kind and everyone should get it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE GAME CHEATS BUT IS STILL ADDICTING, May 24, 2004

By 

Martin (Barstow, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NBA Ballers (Video Game)

OK SO YOU EMBARK INTO THIS GAME TO FIND OUT THAT THE GAME AI CHEATS, THE OPPONENT ALWAYS CATCHES UP, ALWAYS GETS THE REBOUND AND MAKES IMPOSSIBLE SHOTS. AND IT IS INFURIATING. BUT IF YOU PERSIST, YOU WILL FIND A GAME THAT IS SO ADDICTING, SO SATISFYING, YOU'LL THANK GOD YOU GAVE IT IT ANOTHER CHANCE.
THE FACT THAT IT CHEATS MAKES YOU WANT TO BEAT IT MORE AND IN THE END YOU'RE CHANTING HAAAAHHAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
THIS GAME WILL EAT YOUR LIFE.
PLUS IT'S AWESOME, YOU CAN'T EVER EMBARASS SOMEONE THIS MUCH IN BASKETBALL LET ALONE IN LIFE.
BUY IT TO SEE WHAT I MEAN, OR RENT IT BUT REALLY SPEND A WHILE TO GET INTO IT.
IT IS WORTH IT.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the most fun bball game ive ever played, May 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: NBA Ballers (Video Game)

not the deepest basketball game ever, but the deepest arcade game ever. i am barely a fan of basketball, but i love this title. The single and multi player aspects are so well made, midway really went through alot of work to make this a worthy console title and not just an arcade port. im sure glad they are out of the arcade business.

the multi player in my opinion is the best part. One on one with a friend is so much fun. I havnt screamed and laughed so hard playing a video game since...since...halo. Even better, if u have 3 friends, u can go One vs One vs One. That is where the craziness begins, makes you forget bout the long load times.

then there is single player, not as great as the multi player, but still packs a punch. The Rags To Riches Mode is great, it serves as a story mode. You start off as a nobody, battling one on ones with a set of no names, then move on to the pros. Similar to Aggressive Inline, your stats increase by practicing your moves while battling the pros. For example, the more you dunk, your stats automatically increase. The more steals, blocks etc u do, the better u get at it.

Of course this game is gonna be compared to NBA Street, i think its far deeper than Street, more fun, and more apealing. The whole bling bling thing just kicks bootay, and is totally original

i dont know why there are so many negative reviews, this is the best basketball game, next in line with the ESPN series, which is why it is amung the top 5 selling game this month.
pick this one up

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