Summary
- Release Year: 2001
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Dreamcast, Game Boy Color, PlayStation, PlayStation 2
- Developers: Eurocom Entertainment Software
- Publishers: Midway Games
NBA Hoopz: The Ultimate Three-on-Three Basketball Experience
Released in 2001 for the Dreamcast, NBA Hoopz is an arcade-style basketball game that takes the fast-paced, over-the-top gameplay of NBA Jam and NFL Blitz and brings it to the three-on-three court. With its simple controls, frantic gameplay, and over-the-top visuals, NBA Hoopz is a blast to play with friends or solo.
Gameplay
NBA Hoopz is played on a three-on-three court, with each team consisting of one point guard, one shooting guard, and one center. The game is played to 11 points, and the first team to reach 11 points wins.
The controls in NBA Hoopz are simple to learn, with only four buttons to master: shoot, pass, steal, and dunk. This makes the game easy to pick up and play, but difficult to master.
The gameplay in NBA Hoopz is fast-paced and frantic, with a heavy emphasis on dunking. Players can perform a variety of dunks, including alley-oops, reverse dunks, and windmill dunks. Dunking is also the key to scoring in NBA Hoopz, as it is the only way to score more than two points.
In addition to dunking, players can also shoot, pass, and steal. Shooting is a bit more difficult than dunking, but it is still a viable way to score points. Passing is essential for setting up teammates for dunks and open shots. Stealing is a great way to get the ball back from the other team and start a fast break.
Features
NBA Hoopz features a variety of game modes, including:
- Exhibition: Play a quick game against the computer or up to three of your friends.
- Tournament: Compete in a tournament against a series of increasingly difficult computer opponents.
- Season: Play a full NBA season with your favorite team.
- Create-a-Player: Create your own custom player or team.
- Mini-games: Play a variety of mini-games, such as 21, Three-Point Shootout, Around the World, and 2-ball.
NBA Hoopz also features a number of unlockable features, such as new teams, players, and courts. These unlockables can be earned by completing challenges and winning games.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in NBA Hoopz are colorful and cartoony, with a heavy emphasis on visual effects. The players are all well-animated, and the dunks are particularly impressive. The game’s sound is also top-notch, with a catchy soundtrack and realistic sound effects.
Reception
NBA Hoopz was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide. The game was praised for its fast-paced gameplay, simple controls, and over-the-top visuals. It was also nominated for several awards, including Game of the Year.
Legacy
NBA Hoopz is considered to be one of the best arcade-style basketball games ever made. It is still played by fans today, and it has inspired a number of sequels and spin-offs. NBA Hoopz is a true classic, and it is a must-play for any fan of basketball video games.
Tips for Playing NBA Hoopz
Here are a few tips for playing NBA Hoopz:
- Dunk whenever you can. Dunking is the best way to score points in NBA Hoopz, so try to dunk whenever you have the opportunity.
- Set up your teammates for dunks. If you can’t dunk yourself, try to pass the ball to a teammate who is in a good position to dunk.
- Steal the ball from the other team. Stealing the ball is a great way to get the ball back and start a fast break.
- Use the turbo button to speed up your players. The turbo button can be used to give your players a temporary speed boost. This can be helpful for getting around defenders and setting up dunks.
- Use the create-a-player mode to create your own custom team. The create-a-player mode allows you to create your own custom players and teams. This is a great way to add some personality to your NBA Hoopz experience.
Conclusion
NBA Hoopz is a fast-paced, frantic, and over-the-top basketball game that is a blast to play with friends or solo. With its simple controls, variety of game modes, and over-the-top visuals, NBA Hoopz is a must-play for any fan of basketball video games.
Review Score
8/10