NBA '08 Block Party bounces onto PSP
Sony throws team chemistry, downloadable rosters and more crazy mini-games into the hoop
Maybe it's because the PSP's widescreen is the wrong aspect ratio compared to the giraffe-like proportions of the sports' players, but somehow there hasn't yet been a slamdunk portable basketball game.
Still, Sony's at the forefront of the attempting publishers (including EA and Midway) and with NBA '08 Block Party, its third try at the genre, it seems to be gearing up to pin down one of the big quintessentially American sports.
In terms of the game's modes, the main Season offering sees managerial features such as player trades, free agent lists and injuries enhanced, as well as the inclusion of new team chemistry settings. In the Conquest mode, where you play to gain control of regional locations across the US, you're able to cash in awards to upgrade your players' attributes and also gain home city amenities, providing a number of team skill upgrades.
Attention has also continued to be paid to ensure NBA '08 Block Party is accessible for quick gaming-on-the-go. This has resulted in more mini-games, based around specific basketball skills such as an Arkanoid-based Shooting Bricks mode, where you use a basketball to break apart sections of bricks to clear levels.
More traditional options include Breakaway, in which you can alternate between playing offence and defence in a 3-on-2 situation, and Elimination, where you have to score a set number of points with each of your players. When a quota is reached, that player is removed from the team and remaining players receive power-ups. The first team to remove all of their players wins.
Another set of more wacky mini-games (something Sony's describes as Carnival-style games) will include Fast Break, Block-a-Shot, and Alley-Oop (see the screenshots above for more details), each of which enables you to earn tickets for unlockable items such as front-end images, throwback jerseys, and video content.
Like its predecessor, NBA '08 Block Party has extensive multiplayer support, too. Up to four players can connect using either ad hoc wireless or via Sony's centralised service. You'll also be able to download updated team rosters and new mini-game pinball boards on a weekly basis, while, as per usual, the game comes with 41 authentic NBA teams (including throwback squads).
Currently bouncing around its development studio, NBA '08 Block Party is due for release on October 2nd in the US. A European date has yet to be announced but click 'Track It!' to be alerted of any further updates.
