NBA 2K has dominated the basketball video game genre for years, and when it seemed that they were about to finally face some competition, 2K flexed its muscles and the competition retreated. But when it seemed everything would stay the same in the basketball game's landscape, NBA BOUNCE came into the picture.
NBA BOUNCE is an arcade basketball game, and instead of focusing on hyper-realism, the game's main priority is to be fun to play. It has the official NBA license, which means all the logos, courts, and teams are fully licensed, but instead of actual NBA players, you play with custom avatars or mascots in a 3v3 format.
The game, which was developed by Unfinished Pixel SL and published by Outright Games Ltd, introduces a new way of experiencing basketball games. But did it do it successfully? And can NBA BOUNCE be a viable alternative for basketball fans who want something more than hyper-realism?
My review of NBA BOUNCE answers those questions and many others. So let's gear up and get ready to play!
An Easy but Enjoyable Gameplay
Let's start with the most important part of any sports game, the gameplay. The NBA BOUNCE gameplay is very easy to get the hang of, as the initial tutorial teaches you everything you need to know about the game, and the controls are also very easy to get used to.
You have the shoot, pass, block, steal, move, change player, and sprint controls. So, a total of seven buttons, which you will take no time getting used to. Simplicity is the name of the game; there is no asking for scrims, back-door cuts, motions, or specific plays, just a game of good old-fashioned basketball.
NBA BOUNCE is full-on arcade, and the controls are easy to pick up, but like most games in the genre, it has the shooting meter, so there is skill in the mixture. While the skill gap expression isn't massive, it's still there and makes the games more fun, be it against the CPU or other players.
On rookie difficulty, the game is quite easy, as it should be. However, on Pro, you are in for a real test of your skill, as what seems like just a fun arcade game quickly becomes very competitive. NBA BOUNCE gameplay is fun, easy to understand, and on higher difficulties, the CPU makes the games close and interesting.
What Mode are We Playing?
NBA BOUNCE has an ocean of content, starting with the game modes. You have the traditional pick-up game, a party mode where you have unique effects you can choose from, or let the game choose for you, the tournament mode, season, and the practice mode.
The party mode is by far the most unique one. In this mode, you can choose from effects such as a dynamic three-point live, a live ball that moves on its own, a hoop that has a lid that will close and open randomly, extra point zones, and many others.
NBA BOUNCE already provides a different way of playing basketball, but this mode takes that even further, making the game unpredictable, way more fun, and also immersive. Having to play with all of these different effects forces you to adapt, meaning no game is the same.
Season is your typical NBA Season mode, you play against the other teams in the league, try to reach the Playoffs, and once in there, the goal is to go all the way and lift the Larry O'Brien. The tournament mode allows you to create 8, 16, and 32-team tournaments, perfect for playing with friends. Practice mode, well, I think it's self-explanatory.
NBA BOUNCE doesn't have a multiplayer online mode, which I feel is the only thing missing from the game, mode-wise. Being able to enjoy this game with your friends online would be a blast, but at least you have local co-op, for when you invite your friends over.
One of the Best Customization Features in Sports Games
The NBA BOUNCE customization feature is phenomenal. As mentioned above, you can play with mascots or avatars, and you can edit your player avatar. There are many avatars to choose from. After selecting one, you can edit their body type, head, hairstyle, add accessories like hats, arm bands, glasses, pick their shoes, and even choose their nickname and number.
As you play the game, more accessories are unlocked, and you can use them on any of the characters you want. You can edit existing Avatars or create them from scratch. The character's design also looks fantastic, and gives the game a cartoonish look, which fits in with the overall theme of the game: a fun way to play basketball.
The ability to unlock rewards also gives you more reasons to play the game, but you don't feel obligated to chase them. Furthermore, these rewards don't give you any advantage and are easy to earn; simply play the game.
You can check the challenges you need to complete in the challenges hub, and all of the rewards you earned in the locker room menu. So, there is a lot of content to keep you entertained in NBA BOUNCE, and the best thing about it is that you can experience all of this content at your own pace.
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