NBA Courtside 2002 Review
Left Field developers of NBA Courtside on N64 deliver another decent game of hoops, NBA Courtside 2002.Courtside has smooth gameplay and great graphics. The gameplay needs refinements, most sports enthusiast will notice this immediately!
Gameplay
NBA Courtside improves upon its predecessor. It has four modes of play. Quick Play is your basic exhibition match, the best way to get in to a fast game. Arcade Mode is best suited for four player competition. Season Play is, well a season, which consist of eighty-two games. Skills Mode is a nice addition due to the three-pointer contest, and the practice
The C-stick passing is on average an accurate way to pass. This method of passing will be either considered a blessing or a curse, most sports gamers prefer the icon passing of the other basketball games on the market. Another feature of NBA Courtside is the “adrenaline” meter which can determine the momentum of the game. Here is how it works if you press the L-button halfway own you get “half adrenaline”. If you hold it all the way own you get “full adrenaline”. The “adrenaline meter” can determine how your player handles the ball and shoots it. If you hold own the adrenaline button all the way, you’re more likely to turn over the ball to a defender in your face, however if your on a fast break you will dunk and boost your “adrenaline meter”. This is an innovative way to use the turbo button, and is a basketball first. Create-a-player mode increase replay value due to its number of variable to edit head, torso, legs, etc.
Graphics
NBA Courtside is one of the best looking hoops games on GameCube, The player faces look great, however the player’s body seem awkward. The bodies look like the players are wrestler, very top heavy and exaggerated. The stadiums in Courtside are well done; the lighting and reflections on the court are above average. The crowds are some of the best in sports games, but they animate a little choppy.
Left Field did a good job on the motion capturing for the most part, however there are a few bad animations, but not enough to spoil the game. The break-away rim animation is nice.
Overall the graphics in this are good, but with a little more work they could have been spectacular.
Audio
Audio in Courtside is a little lackluster, definitely not on par with other games on the market. The commentary needs work. The stadium noises were okay in Courtside.
In closing NBA Courtside is a decent hoop game for GameCube owners. This game will provide hours of fun either solo or with friends. Sadly, Courtside is not the best, but this game delivers fun. Does this game warrant a purchase? That is up to the gamer if you want a quick arcade game this will fit the bill, however if you want a more sim game get NBA 2K2.
Game Modes: 8
Game Play: 8
Graphics: 8
Sound: 7\
Overall: 8