Junior Sports Basketball - PS2

Got packs, screens, info?
Junior Sports Basketball (PS2)
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Sport: Basketball
Media: DVD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Humongous Soft. Co.: Atari
Publishers: Atari (GB)
Released: 19 Nov 2004 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 3+
Accessories: Memory Card
Features: Vibration Function Compatible

Summary

With a wealth of hardcore basketball sims already available from the likes of EA and Sega, it's a real pleasure to come across the Humongous-developed Junior Sports Basketball for PS2, a simplified basketball game with an emphasis on the word 'junior'.

Designed with the young ones in mind, this latest title in the Junior Sports series pits players as any number of youthful basketball teams as they shoot hoops free of the pressures of international management and indeed parents. As the creators put it, it's all about taking part.

Once on court, you'll quickly learn that each of the cartoon-like characters brings a certain playing quality to the game. Some kids are better suited to an outdoor court, whilst others flourish indoors. The inclusion of relatives can influence a player's performance, and they even become more skilled on their birthdays.

As far as basketball is concerned, it's all very relaxed. Gameplay is fun, simple and addictive, and the ability to issue handicaps means players of any skill can compete with one another on an equal level. Players can choose what kit their team wears and even compete in a variety of cartoon-like environments such as back-streets and desert plains.

Junior Sports Basketball is clearly geared towards the younger gamer, but it's a family game that anyone can play. It's even a skilful game that can test even the most accomplished player. Considering its style, there's little to complain about here. It can't compete with NBA Live in a technical capacity, but it was never meant to. It's just good, clean fun, and there's nothing wrong with that.