NBA Courtside 2002<subtitle> <content>Visually, it\'s a nice showoff item, but the computer A.I. is blatantly bad... I saw this game in action way back in May at E3. I was pleasantly impressed with it even at it\'s early stages.7 months later, after a 2 month delay, we finally got b\'ball on the Cube. Does it live to the hype of being a next generation basketball game? Read on. NBA Courtside is the Gamecube\'s first basketball game. It boasts next generation graphics, NBA Teams, NBA Players in full 5 on 5 action. Features: All the NBA Teams All the players 5 on 5 simulation mode or 3 on 3 arcade mode Season, exhibition, 3-Point shootout and Practice mode. Unbelievable player models with actual face model texturing Total control passing Signature moves for the big-time players Graphics: Courtside\'s graphics is living proof this is no kiddy machine. I can honestly say this is the prettiest basketball game yet, and it definitely looks like a next generation title. The high-resolution of this game can not be appreciated in screen shots. Left Field Productions worked their behinds off to make this game look fantastic, and their work has truly paid off. First, let\'s get into the animations department. This is the first basketball game where I actually felt like Kobe Bryant on the court. His signature fadeway jumper is intact and it looks flawlessly executed on screen. All his dunks, fakes, mannerisms, you\'ll notice it from the start of gameplay. The sweet dunks in this game would make an excellent highlight real for NBA footage. You\'ll really feel the pain of being a defender under the basket after a dunk in the face. The developers even went out of their way to get the free throw styles down of most of the big-time players. Most of signature moves are similar between all the players, but you\'ll notice a slight variance in most of them. The players bodies look a bit on the exaggerated side, these guys look like they all work out in the same gym, but you can only really notice their big bodies when the camera gets up close to the action. But aside from that, what\'s not to like? The players faces in this game are the best I have ever seen in a sports title. They look eerily real when the action gets up close. Until I see XBOX\'s NBA game, you won\'t find b\'ball lookin\' better anywhere else. Gameplay: This was one of my biggest worries, as I am with any sports title. Courtside boasts to be true simulation of a real NBA game, and I have to say, it doesn\'t quite make it due to some issues. First the good stuff. The control scheme is laid out very well with the comfortable Gamecube controller. The basics on offense are all here, shoot, pass, pump-fakes,spin moves, post up and your turbo button. Defensively is also standard, block, steal and turbo. The turbo button or (adrenaline) button as Nintendo calls it, gives the player a boost. If you\'re running toward the rim while pressing the adrenaline button, he\'ll do a fancier dunk an will get to his destination faster. If you use the adrenaline button while shooting a normal jump shot, the shooter might perform a fadeaway, or fancier move to get the open shot. The adrenaline button also improves your chances of blocking a shot on defense. The adrenaline button is a nice addition and it really does add to the fun. Nintendo implemented a fancier way to pass. While you can still press the standard button \"B\" to make a pass, you can also use the yellow control stick. At first I was uncomfortable using it, but when you keep at it, it will be your method of choice as it\'s more accurate in the passing game. Instead of having to face a teammate and pressing a button, you need only to aim at a player with the yellow control stick. This gives you the ability to still be running in one direction and passing in another. It\'s very intuitive. Using the control stick also makes players do fancier passes, including bounce passes, between the leg passes and even behind the back passes. As a whole, rebounding, shooting, stealing, and blocking shots is very balanced, so expect some realistic numbers in this department. The modes of play are quite plentiful. I really liked the 3 on 3 arcade mode which is a toned down version of NBA Street. You can also play 3-Point ShootOut and practice with your players to get the basics down. Now the bad. As with any b\'ball title, there are bound to be issues, and although I loved this game overall, I do have some quibbles. The main issue is the computer A.I. For example, if the computer has an open look, they will never miss, and I mean never. And it doesn\'t matter who\'s shooting. If they are open, they never miss their shot. One memory I have of playing was against the Washington Wizards, one of the weaker teams on this game. The 1st half, they shot 91% from the field and made 3 for 3 three pointers. And the only reason they missed the few shots they did was the fact I blocked the shots. Each shot that got to the rim, went in. This is ludicrous! As in any basketball game, open or not, you\'re going to miss some shots, but the computer punishes you for one open look every time. To correct this issue, you\'re going to need to have another human player to play with, as the % go down to a realistic level and open looks don\'t always justify making a basket. The computer also doesn\'t mix up it\'s game. It basically goes for the inside lane and punishes you for playing good perimeter defense. It\'s definitely a dunking fest when you get the computer playing. The computer will shoot about 1 three pointer a game, and remember, since they never miss any open looks, expect every three pointer they shoot to be an open look. Increasing the difficulty level only causes more fits as the computer just steals the ball relentlessly and doesn\'t do it fairly. If I\'m going to be beaten, I don\'t want to be beaten by cheating computer A.I., I want to be beat by a good skilled computer A.I. that plays well, not by cheating. It\'s a mis-conception that difficulty increases by cheating computer A.I. but this is anything but true. Sound: I was hoping to see Chick Harlan and Stu Lantz back in the chairs from Courtside 2 on the 64, but they did away with them and brought in Van Earl Wright and Ralph Lawyer for the announcing. Both of their commentaries are severely lacking the play-by-play department, although they do enthrall you with some informative \"did you know\" comments about the NBA and the players themselves. When I was playing the Knicks with the Pacers in New York, one of the comments informed me about the time when Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 8 seconds VS the Knicks during the final Playoff game in the series 3 years ago. The rest of the stuff is only average. Crowd reaction is only okay to a point, but I\'ve heard better on the old Playstation. There are occasional stadium bells and whistles including organs, P.A. announcers and fair on-court sound effects. There is no player chatter on-court, so don\'t expect any good trash talkin\'. Final Call: First things first. If you\'re going to buy this game. Don\'t play the computer. It will turn you off from the start. But if you got friends to play, I recommend getting Courtside as the game shines as a two player game. If you insist on playing the computer, expect unrealistic shooting %\'s and cheating computer A.I. on higher difficulty levels. But if you are a loner like me and play games by your lonesome, wait for Sega\'s game in the Spring. The Good And The Bad: + Graphics are great. Check out those faces on the players! + Tight control, sweet signature moves and dunks. + Plays much better as a 2-Player game. - Computer controlled opponents never miss unless you are in their face. - Computer tries to dunk the ball nearly every time down the court. - Sound is weak. The two announcers sound exactly the same and the play-by-play is weak at best.<content> <rating>610<rating> <author>John<author> <authoremail>ohioguy24@a GameCube<title> <subtitle>NBA Courtside 2002<subtitle> <content>Visually, it\'s a nice showoff item, but the computer A.I. is blatantly bad... I saw this game in action way back in May at E3. I was pleasantly impressed with it even at it\'s early stages.7 months later, after a 2 month delay, we finally got b\'ball on the Cube. Does it live to the hype of being a next generation basketball game? Read on. NBA Courtside is the Gamecube\'s first basketball game. It boasts next generation graphics, NBA Teams, NBA Players in full 5 on 5 action. Features: All the NBA Teams All the players 5 on 5 simulation mode or 3 on 3 arcade mode Season, exhibition, 3-Point shootout and Practice mode. Unbelievable player models with actual face model texturing Total control passing Signature moves for the big-time players Graphics: Courtside\'s graphics is living proof this is no kiddy machine. I can honestly say this is the prettiest basketball game yet, and it definitely looks like a next generation title. The high-resolution of this game can not be appreciated in screen shots. Left Field Productions worked their behinds off to make this game look fantastic, and their work has truly paid off. First, let\'s get into the animations department. This is the first basketball game where I actually felt like Kobe Bryant on the court. His signature fadeway jumper is intact and it looks flawlessly executed on screen. All his dunks, fakes, mannerisms, you\'ll notice it from the start of gameplay. The sweet dunks in this game would make an excellent highlight real for NBA footage. You\'ll really feel the pain of being a defender under the basket after a dunk in the face. The developers even went out of their way to get the free throw styles down of most of the big-time players. Most of signature moves are similar between all the players, but you\'ll notice a slight variance in most of them. The players bodies look a bit on the exaggerated side, these guys look like they all work out in the same gym, but you can only really notice their big bodies when the camera gets up close to the action. But aside from that, what\'s not to like? The players faces in this game are the best I have ever seen in a sports title. They look eerily real when the action gets up close. Until I see XBOX\'s NBA game, you won\'t find b\'ball lookin\' better anywhere else. Gameplay: This was one of my biggest worries, as I am with any sports title. Courtside boasts to be true simulation of a real NBA game, and I have to say, it doesn\'t quite make it due to some issues. First the good stuff. The control scheme is laid out very well with the comfortable Gamecube controller. The basics on offense are all here, shoot, pass, pump-fakes,spin moves, post up and your turbo button. Defensively is also standard, block, steal and turbo. The turbo button or (adrenaline) button as Nintendo calls it, gives the player a boost. If you\'re running toward the rim while pressing the adrenaline button, he\'ll do a fancier dunk an will get to his destination faster. If you use the adrenaline button while shooting a normal jump shot, the shooter might perform a fadeaway, or fancier move to get the open shot. The adrenaline button also improves your chances of blocking a shot on defense. The adrenaline button is a nice addition and it really does add to the fun. Nintendo implemented a fancier way to pass. While you can still press the standard button \"B\" to make a pass, you can also use the yellow control stick. At first I was uncomfortable using it, but when you keep at it, it will be your method of choice as it\'s more accurate in the passing game. Instead of having to face a teammate and pressing a button, you need only to aim at a player with the yellow control stick. This gives you the ability to still be running in one direction and passing in another. It\'s very intuitive. Using the control stick also makes players do fancier passes, including bounce passes, between the leg passes and even behind the back passes. As a whole, rebounding, shooting, stealing, and blocking shots is very balanced, so expect some realistic numbers in this department. The modes of play are quite plentiful. I really liked the 3 on 3 arcade mode which is a toned down version of NBA Street. You can also play 3-Point ShootOut and practice with your players to get the basics down. Now the bad. As with any b\'ball title, there are bound to be issues, and although I loved this game overall, I do have some quibbles. The main issue is the computer A.I. For example, if the computer has an open look, they will never miss, and I mean never. And it doesn\'t matter who\'s shooting. If they are open, they never miss their shot. One memory I have of playing was against the Washington Wizards, one of the weaker teams on this game. The 1st half, they shot 91% from the field and made 3 for 3 three pointers. And the only reason they missed the few shots they did was the fact I blocked the shots. Each shot that got to the rim, went in. This is ludicrous! As in any basketball game, open or not, you\'re going to miss some shots, but the computer punishes you for one open look every time. To correct this issue, you\'re going to need to have another human player to play with, as the % go down to a realistic level and open looks don\'t always justify making a basket. The computer also doesn\'t mix up it\'s game. It basically goes for the inside lane and punishes you for playing good perimeter defense. It\'s definitely a dunking fest when you get the computer playing. The computer will shoot about 1 three pointer a game, and remember, since they never miss any open looks, expect every three pointer they shoot to be an open look. Increasing the difficulty level only causes more fits as the computer just steals the ball relentlessly and doesn\'t do it fairly. If I\'m going to be beaten, I don\'t want to be beaten by cheating computer A.I., I want to be beat by a good skilled computer A.I. that plays well, not by cheating. It\'s a mis-conception that difficulty increases by cheating computer A.I. but this is anything but true. Sound: I was hoping to see Chick Harlan and Stu Lantz back in the chairs from Courtside 2 on the 64, but they did away with them and brought in Van Earl Wright and Ralph Lawyer for the announcing. Both of their commentaries are severely lacking the play-by-play department, although they do enthrall you with some informative \"did you know\" comments about the NBA and the players themselves. When I was playing the Knicks with the Pacers in New York, one of the comments informed me about the time when Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 8 seconds VS the Knicks during the final Playoff game in the series 3 years ago. The rest of the stuff is only average. Crowd reaction is only okay to a point, but I\'ve heard better on the old Playstation. There are occasional stadium bells and whistles including organs, P.A. announcers and fair on-court sound effects. There is no player chatter on-court, so don\'t expect any good trash talkin\'. Final Call: First things first. If you\'re going to buy this game. Don\'t play the computer. It will turn you off from the start. But if you got friends to play, I recommend getting Courtside as the game shines as a two player game. If you insist on playing the computer, expect unrealistic shooting %\'s and cheating computer A.I. on higher difficulty levels. But if you are a loner like me and play games by your lonesome, wait for Sega\'s game in the Spring. The Good And The Bad: + Graphics are great. Check out those faces on the players! + Tight control, sweet signature moves and dunks. + Plays much better as a 2-Player game. - Computer controlled opponents never miss unless you are in their face. - Computer tries to dunk the ball nearly every time down the court. - Sound is weak. The two announcers sound exactly the same and the play-by-play is weak at best.<content> <rating>610<rating> <author>John<author> <authoremail>ohioguy24@aol.com<authoremail> <date>

610 John ohioguy24@a GameCube <subtitle>NBA Courtside 2002<subtitle> <content>Visually, it\'s a nice showoff item, but the computer A.I. is blatantly bad... I saw this game in action way back in May at E3. I was pleasantly impressed with it even at it\'s early stages.7 months later, after a 2 month delay, we finally got b\'ball on the Cube. Does it live to the hype of being a next generation basketball game? Read on. NBA Courtside is the Gamecube\'s first basketball game. It boasts next generation graphics, NBA Teams, NBA Players in full 5 on 5 action. Features: All the NBA Teams All the players 5 on 5 simulation mode or 3 on 3 arcade mode Season, exhibition, 3-Point shootout and Practice mode. Unbelievable player models with actual face model texturing Total control passing Signature moves for the big-time players Graphics: Courtside\'s graphics is living proof this is no kiddy machine. I can honestly say this is the prettiest basketball game yet, and it definitely looks like a next generation title. The high-resolution of this game can not be appreciated in screen shots. Left Field Productions worked their behinds off to make this game look fantastic, and their work has truly paid off. First, let\'s get into the animations department. This is the first basketball game where I actually felt like Kobe Bryant on the court. His signature fadeway jumper is intact and it looks flawlessly executed on screen. All his dunks, fakes, mannerisms, you\'ll notice it from the start of gameplay. The sweet dunks in this game would make an excellent highlight real for NBA footage. You\'ll really feel the pain of being a defender under the basket after a dunk in the face. The developers even went out of their way to get the free throw styles down of most of the big-time players. Most of signature moves are similar between all the players, but you\'ll notice a slight variance in most of them. The players bodies look a bit on the exaggerated side, these guys look like they all work out in the same gym, but you can only really notice their big bodies when the camera gets up close to the action. But aside from that, what\'s not to like? The players faces in this game are the best I have ever seen in a sports title. They look eerily real when the action gets up close. Until I see XBOX\'s NBA game, you won\'t find b\'ball lookin\' better anywhere else. Gameplay: This was one of my biggest worries, as I am with any sports title. Courtside boasts to be true simulation of a real NBA game, and I have to say, it doesn\'t quite make it due to some issues. First the good stuff. The control scheme is laid out very well with the comfortable Gamecube controller. The basics on offense are all here, shoot, pass, pump-fakes,spin moves, post up and your turbo button. Defensively is also standard, block, steal and turbo. The turbo button or (adrenaline) button as Nintendo calls it, gives the player a boost. If you\'re running toward the rim while pressing the adrenaline button, he\'ll do a fancier dunk an will get to his destination faster. If you use the adrenaline button while shooting a normal jump shot, the shooter might perform a fadeaway, or fancier move to get the open shot. The adrenaline button also improves your chances of blocking a shot on defense. The adrenaline button is a nice addition and it really does add to the fun. Nintendo implemented a fancier way to pass. While you can still press the standard button \"B\" to make a pass, you can also use the yellow control stick. At first I was uncomfortable using it, but when you keep at it, it will be your method of choice as it\'s more accurate in the passing game. Instead of having to face a teammate and pressing a button, you need only to aim at a player with the yellow control stick. This gives you the ability to still be running in one direction and passing in another. It\'s very intuitive. Using the control stick also makes players do fancier passes, including bounce passes, between the leg passes and even behind the back passes. As a whole, rebounding, shooting, stealing, and blocking shots is very balanced, so expect some realistic numbers in this department. The modes of play are quite plentiful. I really liked the 3 on 3 arcade mode which is a toned down version of NBA Street. You can also play 3-Point ShootOut and practice with your players to get the basics down. Now the bad. As with any b\'ball title, there are bound to be issues, and although I loved this game overall, I do have some quibbles. The main issue is the computer A.I. For example, if the computer has an open look, they will never miss, and I mean never. And it doesn\'t matter who\'s shooting. If they are open, they never miss their shot. One memory I have of playing was against the Washington Wizards, one of the weaker teams on this game. The 1st half, they shot 91% from the field and made 3 for 3 three pointers. And the only reason they missed the few shots they did was the fact I blocked the shots. Each shot that got to the rim, went in. This is ludicrous! As in any basketball game, open or not, you\'re going to miss some shots, but the computer punishes you for one open look every time. To correct this issue, you\'re going to need to have another human player to play with, as the % go down to a realistic level and open looks don\'t always justify making a basket. The computer also doesn\'t mix up it\'s game. It basically goes for the inside lane and punishes you for playing good perimeter defense. It\'s definitely a dunking fest when you get the computer playing. The computer will shoot about 1 three pointer a game, and remember, since they never miss any open looks, expect every three pointer they shoot to be an open look. Increasing the difficulty level only causes more fits as the computer just steals the ball relentlessly and doesn\'t do it fairly. If I\'m going to be beaten, I don\'t want to be beaten by cheating computer A.I., I want to be beat by a good skilled computer A.I. that plays well, not by cheating. It\'s a mis-conception that difficulty increases by cheating computer A.I. but this is anything but true. Sound: I was hoping to see Chick Harlan and Stu Lantz back in the chairs from Courtside 2 on the 64, but they did away with them and brought in Van Earl Wright and Ralph Lawyer for the announcing. Both of their commentaries are severely lacking the play-by-play department, although they do enthrall you with some informative \"did you know\" comments about the NBA and the players themselves. When I was playing the Knicks with the Pacers in New York, one of the comments informed me about the time when Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 8 seconds VS the Knicks during the final Playoff game in the series 3 years ago. The rest of the stuff is only average. Crowd reaction is only okay to a point, but I\'ve heard better on the old Playstation. There are occasional stadium bells and whistles including organs, P.A. announcers and fair on-court sound effects. There is no player chatter on-court, so don\'t expect any good trash talkin\'. Final Call: First things first. If you\'re going to buy this game. Don\'t play the computer. It will turn you off from the start. But if you got friends to play, I recommend getting Courtside as the game shines as a two player game. If you insist on playing the computer, expect unrealistic shooting %\'s and cheating computer A.I. on higher difficulty levels. But if you are a loner like me and play games by your lonesome, wait for Sega\'s game in the Spring. The Good And The Bad: + Graphics are great. Check out those faces on the players! + Tight control, sweet signature moves and dunks. + Plays much better as a 2-Player game. - Computer controlled opponents never miss unless you are in their face. - Computer tries to dunk the ball nearly every time down the court. - Sound is weak. The two announcers sound exactly the same and the play-by-play is weak at best.<content> <rating>610<rating> <author>John<author> <authoremail>ohioguy24@aol.com<authoremail> <date> - The Realm of Gaming"> <META NAME="description" CONTENT="Realm of Gaming offers video game cheats, codes, previews, reviews, downloads, screenshots, images, gameshark codes, for GameCube, Xbox, Playstation 2, Dreamcast, Playstation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and more."> <META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="video game cheats, X-Box, Xbox, cheats, codes, cheatcodes, GameCube, Game Cube, Playstation 2, Sony PS2, Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PSX, Game Boy, Gameboy, Saturn, Genesis, Game Genie Codes, Gameshark, NES, Super NES, CD, Personal Computer, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Wonderswan, Atari"> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <META content="" name=description> <meta name="verify-v1" content="QyYmHA2R/I28jRfRUHclPBP/3a+e1EzbXWZo2tM2B/s=" /> <link href="/style.css" type=text/css 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I saw this game in action way back in May at E3. I was pleasantly impressed with it even at it\'s early stages.7 months later, after a 2 month delay, we finally got b\'ball on the Cube. Does it live to the hype of being a next generation basketball game? Read on. NBA Courtside is the Gamecube\'s first basketball game. It boasts next generation graphics, NBA Teams, NBA Players in full 5 on 5 action. Features: All the NBA Teams All the players 5 on 5 simulation mode or 3 on 3 arcade mode Season, exhibition, 3-Point shootout and Practice mode. Unbelievable player models with actual face model texturing Total control passing Signature moves for the big-time players Graphics: Courtside\'s graphics is living proof this is no kiddy machine. I can honestly say this is the prettiest basketball game yet, and it definitely looks like a next generation title. The high-resolution of this game can not be appreciated in screen shots. Left Field Productions worked their behinds off to make this game look fantastic, and their work has truly paid off. First, let\'s get into the animations department. This is the first basketball game where I actually felt like Kobe Bryant on the court. His signature fadeway jumper is intact and it looks flawlessly executed on screen. All his dunks, fakes, mannerisms, you\'ll notice it from the start of gameplay. The sweet dunks in this game would make an excellent highlight real for NBA footage. You\'ll really feel the pain of being a defender under the basket after a dunk in the face. The developers even went out of their way to get the free throw styles down of most of the big-time players. Most of signature moves are similar between all the players, but you\'ll notice a slight variance in most of them. The players bodies look a bit on the exaggerated side, these guys look like they all work out in the same gym, but you can only really notice their big bodies when the camera gets up close to the action. But aside from that, what\'s not to like? The players faces in this game are the best I have ever seen in a sports title. They look eerily real when the action gets up close. Until I see XBOX\'s NBA game, you won\'t find b\'ball lookin\' better anywhere else. Gameplay: This was one of my biggest worries, as I am with any sports title. Courtside boasts to be true simulation of a real NBA game, and I have to say, it doesn\'t quite make it due to some issues. First the good stuff. The control scheme is laid out very well with the comfortable Gamecube controller. The basics on offense are all here, shoot, pass, pump-fakes,spin moves, post up and your turbo button. Defensively is also standard, block, steal and turbo. The turbo button or (adrenaline) button as Nintendo calls it, gives the player a boost. If you\'re running toward the rim while pressing the adrenaline button, he\'ll do a fancier dunk an will get to his destination faster. If you use the adrenaline button while shooting a normal jump shot, the shooter might perform a fadeaway, or fancier move to get the open shot. The adrenaline button also improves your chances of blocking a shot on defense. The adrenaline button is a nice addition and it really does add to the fun. Nintendo implemented a fancier way to pass. While you can still press the standard button \"B\" to make a pass, you can also use the yellow control stick. At first I was uncomfortable using it, but when you keep at it, it will be your method of choice as it\'s more accurate in the passing game. Instead of having to face a teammate and pressing a button, you need only to aim at a player with the yellow control stick. This gives you the ability to still be running in one direction and passing in another. It\'s very intuitive. Using the control stick also makes players do fancier passes, including bounce passes, between the leg passes and even behind the back passes. As a whole, rebounding, shooting, stealing, and blocking shots is very balanced, so expect some realistic numbers in this department. The modes of play are quite plentiful. I really liked the 3 on 3 arcade mode which is a toned down version of NBA Street. You can also play 3-Point ShootOut and practice with your players to get the basics down. Now the bad. As with any b\'ball title, there are bound to be issues, and although I loved this game overall, I do have some quibbles. The main issue is the computer A.I. For example, if the computer has an open look, they will never miss, and I mean never. And it doesn\'t matter who\'s shooting. If they are open, they never miss their shot. One memory I have of playing was against the Washington Wizards, one of the weaker teams on this game. The 1st half, they shot 91% from the field and made 3 for 3 three pointers. And the only reason they missed the few shots they did was the fact I blocked the shots. Each shot that got to the rim, went in. This is ludicrous! As in any basketball game, open or not, you\'re going to miss some shots, but the computer punishes you for one open look every time. To correct this issue, you\'re going to need to have another human player to play with, as the % go down to a realistic level and open looks don\'t always justify making a basket. The computer also doesn\'t mix up it\'s game. It basically goes for the inside lane and punishes you for playing good perimeter defense. It\'s definitely a dunking fest when you get the computer playing. The computer will shoot about 1 three pointer a game, and remember, since they never miss any open looks, expect every three pointer they shoot to be an open look. Increasing the difficulty level only causes more fits as the computer just steals the ball relentlessly and doesn\'t do it fairly. If I\'m going to be beaten, I don\'t want to be beaten by cheating computer A.I., I want to be beat by a good skilled computer A.I. that plays well, not by cheating. It\'s a mis-conception that difficulty increases by cheating computer A.I. but this is anything but true. Sound: I was hoping to see Chick Harlan and Stu Lantz back in the chairs from Courtside 2 on the 64, but they did away with them and brought in Van Earl Wright and Ralph Lawyer for the announcing. Both of their commentaries are severely lacking the play-by-play department, although they do enthrall you with some informative \"did you know\" comments about the NBA and the players themselves. When I was playing the Knicks with the Pacers in New York, one of the comments informed me about the time when Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 8 seconds VS the Knicks during the final Playoff game in the series 3 years ago. The rest of the stuff is only average. Crowd reaction is only okay to a point, but I\'ve heard better on the old Playstation. There are occasional stadium bells and whistles including organs, P.A. announcers and fair on-court sound effects. There is no player chatter on-court, so don\'t expect any good trash talkin\'. Final Call: First things first. If you\'re going to buy this game. Don\'t play the computer. It will turn you off from the start. But if you got friends to play, I recommend getting Courtside as the game shines as a two player game. If you insist on playing the computer, expect unrealistic shooting %\'s and cheating computer A.I. on higher difficulty levels. But if you are a loner like me and play games by your lonesome, wait for Sega\'s game in the Spring. The Good And The Bad: + Graphics are great. Check out those faces on the players! + Tight control, sweet signature moves and dunks. + Plays much better as a 2-Player game. - Computer controlled opponents never miss unless you are in their face. - Computer tries to dunk the ball nearly every time down the court. - Sound is weak. The two announcers sound exactly the same and the play-by-play is weak at best.<content> <rating>610<rating> <author>John<author> <authoremail>ohioguy24@aol.com<authoremail> <date> Review<br>NBA Courtside 2002<subtitle> <content>Visually, it\'s a nice showoff item, but the computer A.I. is blatantly bad... I saw this game in action way back in May at E3. I was pleasantly impressed with it even at it\'s early stages.7 months later, after a 2 month delay, we finally got b\'ball on the Cube. Does it live to the hype of being a next generation basketball game? Read on. NBA Courtside is the Gamecube\'s first basketball game. It boasts next generation graphics, NBA Teams, NBA Players in full 5 on 5 action. Features: All the NBA Teams All the players 5 on 5 simulation mode or 3 on 3 arcade mode Season, exhibition, 3-Point shootout and Practice mode. Unbelievable player models with actual face model texturing Total control passing Signature moves for the big-time players Graphics: Courtside\'s graphics is living proof this is no kiddy machine. I can honestly say this is the prettiest basketball game yet, and it definitely looks like a next generation title. The high-resolution of this game can not be appreciated in screen shots. Left Field Productions worked their behinds off to make this game look fantastic, and their work has truly paid off. First, let\'s get into the animations department. This is the first basketball game where I actually felt like Kobe Bryant on the court. His signature fadeway jumper is intact and it looks flawlessly executed on screen. All his dunks, fakes, mannerisms, you\'ll notice it from the start of gameplay. The sweet dunks in this game would make an excellent highlight real for NBA footage. You\'ll really feel the pain of being a defender under the basket after a dunk in the face. The developers even went out of their way to get the free throw styles down of most of the big-time players. Most of signature moves are similar between all the players, but you\'ll notice a slight variance in most of them. The players bodies look a bit on the exaggerated side, these guys look like they all work out in the same gym, but you can only really notice their big bodies when the camera gets up close to the action. But aside from that, what\'s not to like? The players faces in this game are the best I have ever seen in a sports title. They look eerily real when the action gets up close. Until I see XBOX\'s NBA game, you won\'t find b\'ball lookin\' better anywhere else. Gameplay: This was one of my biggest worries, as I am with any sports title. Courtside boasts to be true simulation of a real NBA game, and I have to say, it doesn\'t quite make it due to some issues. First the good stuff. The control scheme is laid out very well with the comfortable Gamecube controller. The basics on offense are all here, shoot, pass, pump-fakes,spin moves, post up and your turbo button. Defensively is also standard, block, steal and turbo. The turbo button or (adrenaline) button as Nintendo calls it, gives the player a boost. If you\'re running toward the rim while pressing the adrenaline button, he\'ll do a fancier dunk an will get to his destination faster. If you use the adrenaline button while shooting a normal jump shot, the shooter might perform a fadeaway, or fancier move to get the open shot. The adrenaline button also improves your chances of blocking a shot on defense. The adrenaline button is a nice addition and it really does add to the fun. Nintendo implemented a fancier way to pass. While you can still press the standard button \"B\" to make a pass, you can also use the yellow control stick. At first I was uncomfortable using it, but when you keep at it, it will be your method of choice as it\'s more accurate in the passing game. Instead of having to face a teammate and pressing a button, you need only to aim at a player with the yellow control stick. This gives you the ability to still be running in one direction and passing in another. It\'s very intuitive. Using the control stick also makes players do fancier passes, including bounce passes, between the leg passes and even behind the back passes. As a whole, rebounding, shooting, stealing, and blocking shots is very balanced, so expect some realistic numbers in this department. The modes of play are quite plentiful. I really liked the 3 on 3 arcade mode which is a toned down version of NBA Street. You can also play 3-Point ShootOut and practice with your players to get the basics down. Now the bad. As with any b\'ball title, there are bound to be issues, and although I loved this game overall, I do have some quibbles. The main issue is the computer A.I. For example, if the computer has an open look, they will never miss, and I mean never. And it doesn\'t matter who\'s shooting. If they are open, they never miss their shot. One memory I have of playing was against the Washington Wizards, one of the weaker teams on this game. The 1st half, they shot 91% from the field and made 3 for 3 three pointers. And the only reason they missed the few shots they did was the fact I blocked the shots. Each shot that got to the rim, went in. This is ludicrous! As in any basketball game, open or not, you\'re going to miss some shots, but the computer punishes you for one open look every time. To correct this issue, you\'re going to need to have another human player to play with, as the % go down to a realistic level and open looks don\'t always justify making a basket. The computer also doesn\'t mix up it\'s game. It basically goes for the inside lane and punishes you for playing good perimeter defense. It\'s definitely a dunking fest when you get the computer playing. The computer will shoot about 1 three pointer a game, and remember, since they never miss any open looks, expect every three pointer they shoot to be an open look. Increasing the difficulty level only causes more fits as the computer just steals the ball relentlessly and doesn\'t do it fairly. If I\'m going to be beaten, I don\'t want to be beaten by cheating computer A.I., I want to be beat by a good skilled computer A.I. that plays well, not by cheating. It\'s a mis-conception that difficulty increases by cheating computer A.I. but this is anything but true. Sound: I was hoping to see Chick Harlan and Stu Lantz back in the chairs from Courtside 2 on the 64, but they did away with them and brought in Van Earl Wright and Ralph Lawyer for the announcing. Both of their commentaries are severely lacking the play-by-play department, although they do enthrall you with some informative \"did you know\" comments about the NBA and the players themselves. When I was playing the Knicks with the Pacers in New York, one of the comments informed me about the time when Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 8 seconds VS the Knicks during the final Playoff game in the series 3 years ago. The rest of the stuff is only average. Crowd reaction is only okay to a point, but I\'ve heard better on the old Playstation. There are occasional stadium bells and whistles including organs, P.A. announcers and fair on-court sound effects. There is no player chatter on-court, so don\'t expect any good trash talkin\'. Final Call: First things first. If you\'re going to buy this game. Don\'t play the computer. It will turn you off from the start. But if you got friends to play, I recommend getting Courtside as the game shines as a two player game. If you insist on playing the computer, expect unrealistic shooting %\'s and cheating computer A.I. on higher difficulty levels. But if you are a loner like me and play games by your lonesome, wait for Sega\'s game in the Spring. The Good And The Bad: + Graphics are great. Check out those faces on the players! + Tight control, sweet signature moves and dunks. + Plays much better as a 2-Player game. - Computer controlled opponents never miss unless you are in their face. - Computer tries to dunk the ball nearly every time down the court. - Sound is weak. The two announcers sound exactly the same and the play-by-play is weak at best.<content> <rating>610<rating> <author>John<author> <authoremail>ohioguy24@a</h1><div class="main">Visually, it\'s a nice showoff item, but the computer A.I. is blatantly bad...<br /> <br /> <br /> I saw this game in action way back in May at E3. I was pleasantly impressed with it even at it\'s early stages.7 months later, after a 2 month delay, we finally got b\'ball on the Cube. Does it live to the hype of being a next generation basketball game? Read on.<br /> <br /> NBA Courtside is the Gamecube\'s first basketball game. It boasts next generation graphics, NBA Teams, NBA Players in full 5 on 5 action.<br /> <br /> Features:<br /> <br /> All the NBA Teams <br /> All the players <br /> 5 on 5 simulation mode or 3 on 3 arcade mode <br /> Season, exhibition, 3-Point shootout and Practice mode. <br /> Unbelievable player models with actual face model texturing <br /> Total control passing <br /> Signature moves for the big-time players <br /> <br /> Graphics: Courtside\'s graphics is living proof this is no kiddy machine. I can honestly say this is the prettiest basketball game yet, and it definitely looks like a next generation title. The high-resolution of this game can not be appreciated in screen shots. Left Field Productions worked their behinds off to make this game look fantastic, and their work has truly paid off. First, let\'s get into the animations department. This is the first basketball game where I actually felt like Kobe Bryant on the court. His signature fadeway jumper is intact and it looks flawlessly executed on screen. All his dunks, fakes, mannerisms, you\'ll notice it from the start of gameplay. The sweet dunks in this game would make an excellent highlight real for NBA footage. You\'ll really feel the pain of being a defender under the basket after a dunk in the face. The developers even went out of their way to get the free throw styles down of most of the big-time players. Most of signature moves are similar between all the players, but you\'ll notice a slight variance in most of them. <br /> <br /> The players bodies look a bit on the exaggerated side, these guys look like they all work out in the same gym, but you can only really notice their big bodies when the camera gets up close to the action. But aside from that, what\'s not to like? The players faces in this game are the best I have ever seen in a sports title. They look eerily real when the action gets up close. Until I see XBOX\'s NBA game, you won\'t find b\'ball lookin\' better anywhere else.<br /> <br /> Gameplay: This was one of my biggest worries, as I am with any sports title. Courtside boasts to be true simulation of a real NBA game, and I have to say, it doesn\'t quite make it due to some issues. <br /> <br /> First the good stuff. The control scheme is laid out very well with the comfortable Gamecube controller. The basics on offense are all here, shoot, pass, pump-fakes,spin moves, post up and your turbo button. Defensively is also standard, block, steal and turbo. The turbo button or (adrenaline) button as Nintendo calls it, gives the player a boost. If you\'re running toward the rim while pressing the adrenaline button, he\'ll do a fancier dunk an will get to his destination faster. If you use the adrenaline button while shooting a normal jump shot, the shooter might perform a fadeaway, or fancier move to get the open shot. The adrenaline button also improves your chances of blocking a shot on defense. The adrenaline button is a nice addition and it really does add to the fun. Nintendo implemented a fancier way to pass. While you can still press the standard button \"B\" to make a pass, you can also use the yellow control stick. At first I was uncomfortable using it, but when you keep at it, it will be your method of choice as it\'s more accurate in the passing game. Instead of having to face a teammate and pressing a button, you need only to aim at a player with the yellow control stick. This gives you the ability to still be running in one direction and passing in another. It\'s very intuitive. Using the control stick also makes players do fancier passes, including bounce passes, between the leg passes and even behind the back passes. As a whole, rebounding, shooting, stealing, and blocking shots is very balanced, so expect some realistic numbers in this department. <br /> <br /> The modes of play are quite plentiful. I really liked the 3 on 3 arcade mode which is a toned down version of NBA Street. You can also play 3-Point ShootOut and practice with your players to get the basics down.<br /> <br /> Now the bad. As with any b\'ball title, there are bound to be issues, and although I loved this game overall, I do have some quibbles. The main issue is the computer A.I. For example, if the computer has an open look, they will never miss, and I mean never. And it doesn\'t matter who\'s shooting. If they are open, they never miss their shot. One memory I have of playing was against the Washington Wizards, one of the weaker teams on this game. The 1st half, they shot 91% from the field and made 3 for 3 three pointers. And the only reason they missed the few shots they did was the fact I blocked the shots. Each shot that got to the rim, went in. This is ludicrous! As in any basketball game, open or not, you\'re going to miss some shots, but the computer punishes you for one open look every time. To correct this issue, you\'re going to need to have another human player to play with, as the % go down to a realistic level and open looks don\'t always justify making a basket. The computer also doesn\'t mix up it\'s game. It basically goes for the inside lane and punishes you for playing good perimeter defense. It\'s definitely a dunking fest when you get the computer playing. The computer will shoot about 1 three pointer a game, and remember, since they never miss any open looks, expect every three pointer they shoot to be an open look. <br /> <br /> Increasing the difficulty level only causes more fits as the computer just steals the ball relentlessly and doesn\'t do it fairly. If I\'m going to be beaten, I don\'t want to be beaten by cheating computer A.I., I want to be beat by a good skilled computer A.I. that plays well, not by cheating. It\'s a mis-conception that difficulty increases by cheating computer A.I. but this is anything but true. <br /> <br /> Sound: I was hoping to see Chick Harlan and Stu Lantz back in the chairs from Courtside 2 on the 64, but they did away with them and brought in Van Earl Wright and Ralph Lawyer for the announcing. Both of their commentaries are severely lacking the play-by-play department, although they do enthrall you with some informative \"did you know\" comments about the NBA and the players themselves. When I was playing the Knicks with the Pacers in New York, one of the comments informed me about the time when Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 8 seconds VS the Knicks during the final Playoff game in the series 3 years ago. The rest of the stuff is only average. Crowd reaction is only okay to a point, but I\'ve heard better on the old Playstation. There are occasional stadium bells and whistles including organs, P.A. announcers and fair on-court sound effects. There is no player chatter on-court, so don\'t expect any good trash talkin\'. <br /> <br /> Final Call: First things first. If you\'re going to buy this game. Don\'t play the computer. It will turn you off from the start. But if you got friends to play, I recommend getting Courtside as the game shines as a two player game. If you insist on playing the computer, expect unrealistic shooting %\'s and cheating computer A.I. on higher difficulty levels. But if you are a loner like me and play games by your lonesome, wait for Sega\'s game in the Spring.<br /> <br /> The Good And The Bad: <br /> + Graphics are great. Check out those faces on the players!<br /> + Tight control, sweet signature moves and dunks.<br /> + Plays much better as a 2-Player game.<br /> <br /> - Computer controlled opponents never miss unless you are in their face. <br /> - Computer tries to dunk the ball nearly every time down the court.<br /> - Sound is weak. The two announcers sound exactly the same and the play-by-play is weak at best.<content><br /> <rating>610<rating><br /> <author<br><br>By: <a href="mailto:"></a> </div> <br><br><br> </td> <td width="273" valign="top">  <center> <div style="text-align: left; width: 278px;height: 33px;background-image:url(/data/images/designs/right-cotd.jpg);"><font size="-1" face="Tahoma" color="#ffffff"><b> Women's Volleyball Interview</b></font></div> <a href="/interviews/womensvolleyball.html"><img src="/data/images/womensvolleyball.jpg" border="0"></a><br> <img src="/data/images/design/right-cotdb.jpg" border="0"> </center> <br>   <center> <div style="width: 278px;height: 33px;background-image:url(/data/images/designs/right-cotd.jpg);"><font size="-1" face="Tahoma" color="#ffffff"><b>ROG Newsletter</b></font></div> <div style="width: 278px; background-color: #cccccc;"><form name="afc" action="/modules/newsletter/index.php" target="afc" method="get"> <center> Email: <input type=text name=email size=20> <input type="hidden" name="type" id="type_sub" value="sub"> <input type=submit name=sub value=Subscribe> </form> </font> </center> <img src="/data/images/design/right-cotdb.jpg" border="0"> </center> </div>  <div id="gad"> <center>  <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script>  <br> </center> </div> <br>  <center> <div style="width: 278px;height: 33px;background-image:url(/data/images/designs/right-cotd.jpg);"><font size="-1" face="Tahoma" color="#ffffff"><b>Forum Posts</b></font></div> <div style="width: 278px; background-color: #cccccc;"> <center> <font size='-1' face='Tahoma'><a href='http://www.realmofgaming.com/forum/index.php?topic=320.msg2678#msg2678' class='left'>Resident Evil 5</a></font><br><font size='-1' face='Tahoma'><a href='http://www.realmofgaming.com/forum/index.php?topic=319.msg2677#msg2677' class='left'>Re: Soul Calibur IV</a></font><br><font size='-1' face='Tahoma'><a href='http://www.realmofgaming.com/forum/index.php?topic=319.msg2676#msg2676' class='left'>Soul Calibur IV</a></font><br><font size='-1' face='Tahoma'><a href='http://www.realmofgaming.com/forum/index.php?topic=318.msg2675#msg2675' class='left'>RoG Looking for Reviewers</a></font><br><font size='-1' face='Tahoma'><a href='http://www.realmofgaming.com/forum/index.php?topic=317.msg2671#msg2671' class='left'>Re: Game.com</a></font><br></center> <img src="/data/images/design/right-cotdb.jpg" border="0"> </center> </div> <br>  </td> </tr> </TABLE> <center><TABLE Class="copyright" background="/images/copyright.jpg" width="1024" height="25"><TR><TD><center>Copyright 1999 - 2008 Realm of Gaming - All Rights Reserved</center></TD></TR></TABLE> <br> <a href="http://www.moneyextra.com/fastfind?gofinder.x=1&gofinder.y=1&redirectLocation=%2Fremortgage">Remortgages</a> - <a href="http://www.creditmotorsports.com">Renegade motorhomes</a> - <a href="http://www.moneyextra.com/loans">Loan</a> - <a href="http://www.bloomingdesert.com">Phoenix Pools</a> </center> <script src="http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-2751989-1"; urchinTracker(); </script> </BODY></HTML>