NBA '07 retains many of the modes that have now become standard in the series. Exhibition, Season and All-Star games are all here and joined by new mini-games and a new Slam Dunk contest mode, which is sort of like the basketball version of a rhythm-based game. Online Exhibition and All-Star games are also available for those looking to challenge friends. Pick-up games are also available when playing online. Here you and your opponent choose from a randomly selected group of NBA players, build your own team and try to beat each other to 21.
Two of the bigger additions to this year’s game are Carnival and Conquest, a group of mini-games. Carnival is set up like a carnival fairway and offers three basketball-themed versions of classic fairway arcade games like Pinball and Skeeball. Of the three, Pinball will feel the most familiar since it is little more than a pinball machine with an NBA theme. Hot Shot should also feel familiar since it is the same basket shooting game we’ve all played. The difference here is that every couple of seconds the basket moves, making it impossible to get into a rhythm that will carry you through the entire game (and rack up points). Big Shooter is a variation of Skeeball where you are given ten tries to sink six baskets. The top basket also moves, which only adds to the challenge.
Although the added mini-games may sound like nothing more than fun time wasters, you can earn points to spend on a variety of unlockable games. The rewards system actually helps to make the game a little more friendly to on-the-go gamers. Mini-games don’t take much time to play and you still feel like you are working towards something. Besides, they’re fun once you get the hang of them.
Of the added modes, my favorite is Conquest, which could be considered the NBA’s version of Risk. After choosing a home team, your goal in Conquest is to take over other NBA cities. Each turn you “attack” another city, at which point you’ll head to the court. If the attacker wins, they not only get the city, but also gain use of their team. If a team manages to turn back the attacking team, they can raid the attacking team and steal a player. One of the really cool things about the mode is that if you’re able to take over an entire region, Legends are unlocked.
Conquest games also use their own set of rules. Each team has a life meter that is reduced when the opposing team scores. In addition, if a shot is blocked, that player will take a hit to their stats and become less effective until someone on their team scores. Special score zones will also appear on the court at times and will give your team a nice point boost. And, as if the game needed anything else, you can also earn medals by building up your in-game stats. Earn enough medals, and you’ll get a bonus to your life meter.
