NBA ShootOut 2004

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.