NBA Hoopz is a fast-paced, action-packed basketball game. If you want a simulation-style approach (yawn) then its best to look elsewhere. If having fun with your mates sounds more appealing then NBA Hoopz is the perfect basketball game for you. The playability leans heavily over to the arcade side, which in our opinion is an excellent attribute. You can think of NBA Hoopz as a 128-bit reincarnation of the classic NBA Jam. Only this time around its 3 on 3 and that means that up to six players can participate simultaneously.
NBA Hoopz features all of the real teams and stadia from the professional basketball league. You can take charge of your favourite team and try to take them to the playoffs and then see if you have what it takes to make them champions. With 82 games in a full season, it might take some time but alternatively you can choose a much shorter season.
There are only four buttons to use in NBA Hoopz, You can shoot, pass, speed boost and 'hoopz'. You can use these in combinations, speed plus shoot equals fast shot for example. Its important to use tactics like posting up and quick passing to get a clear shot. Head fakes are useful for making your opponents jump and then when they are out of position, it's nice easy basket time. If you score three baskets in a row without letting your opponents score, youre on fire and have unlimited speed boost to give you even more of an advantage.
NBA Hoopz has several mini-games that can be quite fun in themselves. These are 21, 2ball, around the world and 3 point shootout. You can also practice shooting, passing and dunking.
If you pull off a spectacular dunk you will be treated to a close-up instant replay of the basket. Its in these sequences that you really get a chance to appreciate the graphics on offer. Alley oops have to be the most impressive team-up dunks, as one player throws the ball near the rim and the second player catches it mid-air and dunks it.
NBA Hoopz is a quick, arcade-style, enjoyable, good-looking basketball game and is also the first PlayStation 2 game to offer a 50/60hz refresh choice. Quality.