NBA in the Zone 98
Reviewed by S. Shears
The advertisements for this game had me all hyped up about NBA in the
Zone 98, but after I got it home I soon realized this game stinks.
Graphics 4 out of 10
I can sum the graphics up in one word "Blurry". The stadiums are OK but
the graphics during the gameplay absolutely need work if N64 plans on
making a 99 series. The instant replay is hard to use, but is pretty nice
to look at although that's all its not ideal for summarizing. The intro
screen has better graphics than the gameplay and even that needs work.
The player diagrams are decent but the created players portraits are
horrible. There's also a lack of benched players and coaches on the
sideline, the best angle to use is angle 6 and your so far away from
the players that you don't get the complete feel that the game should
present. The Chicago Bulls still wear red or white jerseys while I
thought they wore black, Orlando doesn't have the correct colored
jersey on either.
Music and Sound 7 out of 10
The music is fine but the sound needs improvement. The announcer
screams names wrong, for instance, Tony Battie of the Den. Nuggets
sounds more like Tony Baty. The crowd doesn't chant and when you
foul out you don't get that long horn, just the same old short one that
goes off every buzzer.
Game Challenge 5 out of 10
The Computer is very hard to defeat on Super Challenge Mode. They don't
miss! It's absurd to think that Greg Ostertag of the Utah Jazz can eat you
up for 40 points and Karl Malone only have 10. You also throw the ball away
a lot on this game and its a challenge just to pump fake.
Game Play-Fun 6 out of 10
This game certainly is not a simulation it's a 5 on 5 version of NBA Jam.
No Defense needed what-so-ever. You have to depend on the computer to
block shots, rebound, and determine when to use the only defensive plays:
intentionally foul and full court press.
Frustration
Throwing the ball away and having absolutely no offensive and defensive
plays are extremely frustrating. Not to mention giving assist. I counted 8
assist in one quarter and the stats at half-time said 2. Also at games
end, Dennis Rodman's stats were 35pts, 5 rebs. 35 rebounds 5 points
would have been more believable than this. Even the bench warmers were
averaging 25 to 30 points a game. That means Ostertag and Foster were
kicking my butt.
Game Value 3 out of 10
As you can tell this game isn't worth the money. Kobe Bryant's NBA
Courtside makes this game look like double dribble. NBA Live in SNES
makes this game look like Atari's Basket ball. My retail price 5$
Needs
More create player slots (only about 10 available) better edit player screens
Offensive /defensive plays
More signature moves
Injuries
Better angles
Crowd chants
Defensive assignments
Consistent shot blocking and stealing
Post up moves
Easier method of throwing alley-opps
Realistic scoring
Overall 4 out of 10
Don't buy this game until you rent it, and if you like it, go get help.