NBA ShootOut 2001
Score: 92% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: 989 Studios Developer: SCEA Media: CD/1 Players: 1 - 2 (1 - 8 Multitap) Genre: Sports
Graphics & Sound: NBA ShootOut 2001 looks pretty damn good. Player models aren't perfect (there seem to be hunched over too far), but are very distinguishable as their real-life counterparts. The court looks just as good, and crowd animations are fluid as well (although randomizing would have been better). There is definitely room for improvement, but for a first generation title on the PS2, ShootOut is sweet. The music and sound fx are equally well done. In fact, as I write this I am listening to the mix of music that auto-plays in the game menus. Play-by-play commentator Ian Eagle does a nice job of keeping the action current, and gives just the right amount of pizzazz to the game. He also supplies you with information from the NBA, including team specific info, which is kind of interesting.
Gameplay: NBA ShootOut 2001's gameplay is overall well done. The game has different modes of play including Exhibition, Season, and Playoffs, as well as a create-a-player option. When in the game, controls are very easy to use, which makes playing the game more fun and easy to jump into. ShootOut is your typical 5-on-5 NBA-style basketball with all of the stars, and TONS of player animations to go along with their styles and attitudes. This is actually as much a downfall as it is awesome, however. The player animations actually slow down reaction time of your players after pressing your action buttons. It is especially noticeable when trying to block shots, as the shooter releases the ball way before you even begin your jump, making very hard to time. Another thing I noticed is that sometimes when going in for a dunk/layup, the animation takes too long and you actually don't shoot the ball until after you are behind the backboard, causing it to go out of bounds. These things are frustrating, and you have to adjust your game to deal with them. (But the animations do look smooth!) I found that the computer's AI (artificial intelligence) is quite well done. I was actually amazed by NBA ShootOut 2001's computer players when in -end of the game- situations and they didn't do stupid things like in every other b-ball game out there (i.e. They didn't run out their own clock when behind.). In fact, they did things I would have never thought of! They actually fouled me when I was behind, so that I couldn't get off a good shot. Way to go, 989! Something else worth noting is that it is fairly easy to pound the ball inside and score with a dunk or layup. You will get the occasional charge called against you, but it's not uncommon to have a shooting percentage for the game in the 60-70% range or better. Of course, when you get to the free throw line, you'll fell like Shaq from the 3-point line, very out of place. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to shoot free throws. I try to do what it says in the manual, but have yet to make contact with the rim (yes, that means airballs... all of them!). Free throws shouldn't be 'free,' but likewise not extremely difficult. I'm sure that someday I will find the niche, but for now I can kiss my old school three-point-plays goodbye.
Difficulty: There are four levels of difficulty in NBA ShootOut 2001. With every step up, the computer will get harder, which allows for people of all ages/abilities to jump right in and play. As I said before, the controls are very basic which make the game easy to play, also making it more fun than complicated sports titles tend to be. There is a learning curve on how to shoot and how to defend, but you should be able to figure it out relatively quickly. As far as free throws go... good luck, Shaq!
Game Mechanics: This is one game that you will be able to pop in and play without much trouble. The game's menus are very easy to navigate, and all options are easily found. Again, I had wished that user records would automatically load when you start the game because loading them would take only a couple of seconds, but instead you have to manually do it. Just would have been a nice feature. One last thing that needs to be mentioned is that the game is not at all choppy, but rather it's jerky in the camera movement sometimes. It is especially noticeable in the auto-replays and any time the camera may shift. Not a terribly big deal, but worth a note. Overall, NBA ShootOut 2001 is a solid title that is worth a rent, and possibly a buy for all of you hoops fans out there. There are plenty of options and there is plenty of gameplay to be had on this little blue disc.
-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele
NBA Live 2001 Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2