Thankfully the NBA has decided not to go the route of exclusive licenses and instead allow anyone (for the right price) to make an NBA game. Choice is absolutely great for the consumer and in 2005 we’ll have plenty of NBA gaming choices. Sony sounds like they’ve put a lot of resources into their new basketball game which is called NBA ’06. There’s no more “ShootOut” and no more 989 in this game. Sony tells us that the game is totally new and has some new features as well as modes of play never before seen in a basketball game. Talk about setting the bar high!



I have to say, I’m a bit skeptical. The NBA Shootout series has never been my favorite and some years…we’ll just say they weren’t very good. Maybe by dropping the 989 moniker and the Shootout name, Sony means business.

Now, since this is a licensed game, I doubt we’ll see the same sort of “major events” in NBA that we’ll see in Road To Sunday…but still, does going to a 23rd press conference talking about your sore ankle affect your attitude on the court? An idea like that is very interesting to see play out in a videogame.



The game will also require you as a player to interact with your coach (sorry, no choking!), your agent (again, sorry no choking), your teammates, your family and natural rivals as you continue your quest to the finals. As you continue to work with an agent, you’ll receive bigger and better endorsements as you bring up your quality of play.

That is a great idea. We haven’t seen agents take in many of these games. Usually the player signs with the team but you don’t see the role of the agent…that will add another interesting layer to the story. Again, what sort of interactions will we see? We’ll have to wait and see for the final game to find out.



As far as the game goes, in addition to the regular season there will be at least 12 ‘exclusive’ mini games like HORSE and (Twenty-One) 21, which you’ll also be able to play online. Personally, I’m a sucker for the mini-games and I’ve really wanted to play horse online – one on one.



The gameplay is going to be revamped with what Sony calls “Showtime Gameplay.” Apparently, you’ll be able to control players to work the crowd into a frenzy which could help your cause.

With it, players you control can work the crowd into a fervor with special moves. One would assume that you’ll be working the crowd up in a positive way (although wouldn’t it be interesting if you could work as an antagonist instead – that would be a novel approach, but at this point we can only speculate).



The Showtime Gameplay feature will also help your team – as you convert a slam dunk or perform an alley-oop your team will also become more focused and your player attributes will increase. Also featured is a low post icon system – the icons will indicate a players strengths and weaknesses which you can use to your advantage when running out a play.

This past March, when the PSP was launched, an NBA game came out for that console as well and it tried to do something different with the shooting system. The idea was novel; the execution could have been better and that is something that hopes to be rectified in NBA ’06.



The game will also allow you to use your Eye Toy USB camera to put your own face in the game. It’s about time we see fat short guys (talking about the author here) in the NBA don’t you think?

There’s no doubt that NBA ’06 will have its hands full with a lot of competition come this fall. Sony has really tried to differentiate their sports games by adding a role playing element. One hopes that this element will really add replay value to the game.



SCEA has definitely piqued my curiosity about NBA ’06 and I am absolutely willing to let bygones be bygones and check out this new basketball game when it debuts in Fall 2005.