'Streetball': Nothing But Bricks

The graphics of "AND 1 Streetball" are subpar and the gameplay frustrating. (Ubisoft)

Just as the NBA has wrapped up another season, the AND 1 Mix Tape Tour is in full swing traveling the country. Ubisoft has entered sports gaming with "AND 1 Streetball," which features the best amateur streetball players around. The game has some great ideas, including the ability to customize 130 special moves, but the additional time that several delays gave developer Black Ops has not resulted in a complete game.

The game seems unpolished and rushed. The graphics aren't up to par with current sports games such as "NBA Ballers: Phenom," which is a much better take on streetball. There are many bugs throughout as balls pass through players like ghosts.

Perhaps the most egregious error is the use of dual analog sticks for choosing stunts. To pull off one of the game's many cool dribbles or dunks, a player must hit the right stick for a level-one trick, the left stick for a level-two move and hold in the right shoulder button for a level-three "Anklebreaker" move to the basket. It's nearly impossible to select what you want because of these Twister-style finger requirements. The configuration ultimately negates any control over the outrageous performances that differentiate the AND 1 players from other ballers. Toss in an Anklebreaker move that mysteriously causes your opponent to fall down -- even when you're not near him -- and you have a game that provides unintentional laughs and plenty of frustration.

Add repetitive play-by-play that seems too tame for the street and short player "trash talk" quips that become old instantly, and you have a sensory overload of agony. Despite being able to customize your player (including importing your headshot via EyeToy) and choose any variation from one-on-one to five-on-five streetball, the control issues kill any fun that could have been had on this virtual court. Not even the online gameplay redeems this foul shot.

-- John Gaudiosi

AND 1 Streetball Everyone 10+, Xbox, PS2 ($40) Ubisoft/Black Ops