NBA

An impressive hoops debut, NBA is a Baby Bulls�Ctype surprise. While its name is more Atari 2600 than PSP 2005, it delivers all the pro hoops fixings in style. The game��s smart presentation is followed by eye-catching arenas that show off the system��s visual prowess, and the brilliant, responsive crowd puts you right there on the parquet.

The game��s run-and-gun style is more reminiscent of Bo Kimble��s 1990 Loyola Marymount team than the sluggish pro game, but the scores are kept down by a troublesome shot meter that aims to be innovative but shoots an air ball. For anyone who��s been one-touch shooting since Ben Franklin discovered electricity, the steep learning curve is a killer. You press the button once to start the shot and again to release it. Two presses: too stupid. With enough practice��using the Skills Challenge, Three-point Contest, and Paint minigames��you��ll eventually drain buckets. But I find it maddening that I��m still blowing open layups because of the two-touch system.

Also, if you��ve got a player in your face and you try to shoot, it will be blocked. If, by miracle, you launch a shot over your smothering defender, it will miss 78 out of 79 times. And many will be air balls. Even the Allen Iversons of the world won��t find iron.

Although it��s filled with flaws, this is a still a very playable on-the-go b-ball game, even with the occasional bugs and an unthinkably bad free-throw system.

Pros Better than the PS2 version, great minigames, slick presentation

Cons Shooting system will give you fits, no commentary, too many blocks, outdated

Pub. Sony CEA

Dev. 989 Sports

ESRB E

MSRP $39.99

Skills to Pay the Bills

The PlayStation Skills Challenge is one cool minigame. Testing your dribbling, passing, and shooting, it��s a great way to spend a commute.

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.