NBA Ballers: The Chosen One (Xbox 360) Review
Posted by John Curry on 05.23.2008
Midway games brings us NBA Ballers: The Chosen One. Does it dominate the courts like Lebron James or does it stink it up like the Miami Heat? 411mania takes a look.
When NBA Jam was first introduced in the early 1990’s the concept of how sports games can be presented changed forever. Since then almost all sports games allow you to have some form of unrealistic, over the top performances while making the games more exciting and enjoyable. The bar was set, in my opinion by the original NBA Jam from Midway but has since been challenged by such games as NBA Street and NFL Street and The BIGS. Knowing this Midway decided that since they set the bar back in the early 90’s they should retool their Ballers franchise and introduce us to the Ballers: Chosen One.
As a fan of the “unrealistic” sports games I was very excited to play NBA Ballers: The Chosen One. Was it worth my time or did it foul out? Let’s take a look.
Gameplay:
Since playing NBA Street I have become essentially enamored by the fluid gameplay that this style of games has been able to achieve. The game begins with you creating your own character in the Create a Baller mode which is standard with the Ballers series. You can select your position, size, name, style of game play and nicknames, in addition to customizing your attributes. The premise of the game is a combination of the over the top gameplay set to a progressive storyline in which you must move throughout six chapters which each entail five individual levels. The levels have their own set of rules. For instance, some have make it take it, no fouls, some require you to come back from behind or beat two players at once. Others place you on a team with someone else in order to have a 2 on 2 match. While the levels are varied and actually rather enjoyable to play one of the issues I have about this style is that you cannot select your teammate during the 2 on 2 matches. Only three of the chapters are unlocked for you to play at first. Once you complete these three chapters the others will unlock.
The largest issue I had with the gameplay of this game is the complications I had enabling the special “Shut em Down” moves that you earn when your meter builds up with enough jukes and special moves. Some of the people who play this game do not like the cut scene style when you enact your special moves. I on the other hand actually enjoyed them. I think that this is what brings something new to the sport itself. I understand that a lot of people do not like the pauses in the gameplay but without the cutscene for your move you would not have the same appreciation for what actually happens. The jukes are the same way. The way the screen pauses in order to show the juke while you press the coordinating keys allows those who may not be familiar with the Streeball style or names to see exactly what they are accomplishing with these moves.
The upgrades that you earn in the game are a little confusing and actually rather hard to see the results of. But it doesn’t hinder the game itself. It would be nice to see a little more activity in your results at the end of each match become more visible in your game.
I don’t understand Midway’s thinking in making this a streeball game but including charging and fouls that result in free throws. It seems a little unusual that I can kick the ball into the hoop and not have the whistle blown but if I charge or foul the other guy then I can lose the ball or my opponent gets to shoot free throws. If you are going to go one way go that way but don’t merge the two styles together.
The one complaint I have about this game that actually upset me is the lack of camera control. Sometimes on a loose ball to the corners of your screen you will actually lose sight of your player and the ball which does get old when you are down by two with 10 seconds to go.
The game does provide online gamplay in which you can compete in ranked matches with other individuals created ballers. While I enjoyed the online gameplay I have to say that there really isn’t much here but simple gameplay. I would have loved to found three point contests or something like that to compete online with. Maybe it is there but I could not find it.
Overall the gameplay is actually enjoyable. I found myself coming back to it after I beat the storyline to play some more. The unlocking of stunt dunks and the rest of the achievements was a challenge that I really found not so much as difficult but time consuming. The controls, minus the activation of your special moves especially on defense, are simple to learn and easy to use. I actually started talking smack to my screen when I rejected Tim Duncan’s hook shot.
Graphics & Sound
The graphics are still hold their cartoonish styled players but not to the point that you cannot tell at least 80% of the athletes for who they are. The courts are very well done and vary from level to level. The graphics are fluid with no lagging or glitches. I expected there would be glitches especially when executing jukes and punk outs on the court. My expectations were not met. The moves flow like heaven and especially in transition and dunking.
I also applaud Midway for using real video featuring Chuck D as the announcer. In a way it makes the game seem more like an ESPN show on streetballers. Chuck D also provides the narration/announcing duties for the game. The on court basketball sound effects are passable and sound authentic. The real shortcoming with the sound is the soundtrack. It is an okay soundtrack but nothing that makes you want to get up and go search for it to put on your MP player. I would have liked to see a stronger soundtrack but the one provided is not so bad that it makes you want to play it on mute or shut it off all together.
Fun Factor
I really enjoyed playing this game. There are some kinks that need to be worked out of the system but overall the game is exciting to play. The storyline increases in challenge and excitement as it progresses so it does not come across as simply replaying the same match over and over and over again, which tends to happen very easily in sports games. The online play is passable and you will find yourself playing against other people’s custom ballers for hours on end.
Lasting Appeal
The storyline mode of the game will take you a little while to beat so you will get your money’s worth there. You will find yourself wanting to unlock all of the special dunks, shut em down moves, and achievements. All of this in hopes that you will build yourself up to be the most dominant player in the game so you can move into online challenges and dominate the game. Trust me when I say building up your statistics is not an easy thing to do.
The 411
Midway has done an excellent job with NBA Ballers: The Chosen One. Did it make me want to sell my Genesis and the original NBA JAM? No. I enjoy the Ballers franchise but with the inclusion of the Street Series I really have no preference of one over the other. While this is a great game in and of itself I would love to see Midway return to its roots and bring us a better formatted version that includes the NBA JAM stylings as I can’t see much more being added to this game franchise in the future. You could do a lot worse than buying this game
Graphics
8.0
While the graphics are nothing new there is a clearer view of the players and the courts are extremely well done.
Gameplay
8.0
I absolutely enjoyed playing the game. Some of the smaller kinks such as the screen issues and the problems activating the special moves need to be ironed out.
Sound
7.5
Chuck D as the announcer adds a lot to this game but the soundtrack isn't as strong as I would like to see.
Lasting Appeal
7.5
Once you beat the storyline this game will be relagated to your friends and the online play. The good part is that it will take you a little while to beat the storyline mode.
Fun Factor
8.0
I love the streetball styling of the game and the fluidity of the movement of the players and stunts. I would like to see a little more control of my teammates as being stuck with Larry Hughes is never a good thing in a Game or in Real life.
