This tradition continues onto the next gen consoles with NBA Street Homecourt. Finally dropping the numerical sequel digits in favor of a subtitle, it is not just a name change that you will find appealing about this new street ball title. Expect bigger dunks, better visuals, and a grittier persona that makes even the biggest suburbanite feel like they are from da’hood.

The first obvious update is in the visual style itself. Using a dirty film filter the game has a unique look all its own. Even the use of sepia tones for the color scheme really sets this game apart providing something new and original even for the most diehard fan of the series. It’s not just the presentation that is new, as the player models and animation have gotten that next gen touch. Each baller is very detailed from their mannerisms to their signature tattoos; you will know your favorite baller at first glance. The new tricks and dunks are flashy, well animated, and of course silly and over the top…but hey, if you want realism, you are in the wrong game anyway.

Audio is decent with your typical hip-hop soundtrack, squeaky shoes, trash talking and rim rocking sounds you have come to love from this series. One major change is the announcer, or complete lack thereof. Instead, you are treated to ambient background sounds, which is filler in between all the hoops audio bytes. There is a story commentator included, who has a laid-back voice and is a nice change from the flamboyant and ridiculous choices from the past.

The gameplay is where this game rules the streets. Not only is it easy to pick up and play, but once you master the trick moves you’ll look sick against any rookie who tries to D up on you. Most of this comes from the new trick remixer system that allows you to take control of your player’s rhythm by mixing tricks with elaborate moves with a combination of button presses. Now you can string crossovers with fancy trick moves that will fake anyone out of their shoes. Back also are the game breakers, which are now even flashier and more electrifying than in the past. Top it all off with brand new dunks that even include double basket dunks which will infuriate any opponent. Sure, the game isn’t the deepest on the block, but the lack of strategy and moves only make for a more jump in and have fun style of round ball action.

Speaking of shallow, that is NBA Street Homecourt’s biggest weakness, as there are not many options for the single player game to keep one busy for a ton of hours. You are treated with a legend mode where you create a player and build your reputation and skills to be the next great baller. This is a cool idea, but the create a baller is extremely limited as it only gives you the choice of a few head styles and the choice to have the ability patterns of two NBA superstars. Hmm…didn’t know the way to greatness was to be a wannabee copycat? With that all said, it is true this game is built around the idea of multiplayer either at home or online. This is where the game truly stands the test of time, if you have enough people playing this game with you, there really is no time limit as the competitive nature will keep gamers playing for months before growing the least tired of it.

In the end, any next-generation console owning street ball fan should own NBA Street Homecourt. It is by far the best of the series thus far and is a great building block for future versions. Just bear in mind that the multiplayer experience gives this game a much higher score than the single player, so if you don’t plan on playing online or with friends, you may want to just check this out. For you multiplayer fans out there, this is the game you’ve been waiting for since the birth of the genre.