NBA Jam is one of the most addictive, fast-flowing, and fun-filled basketball titles to grace any console.

Gamers partake in three on three gameplay in one of the three main modes available: Exhibition, Jam Tournament, and Legends Tournament.

Before every match, gamers have the chance to haphazardly hit buttons and unlock cheats.

After each game gamers will earn points based on whether they are victorious and the amount of points they score.

These points can then be used to unlock various extras such as courts and retro arenas.

Gameplay in NBA Jam is simple and can be picked up within minutes. As gamers perform tricks and score baskets the "jam meter" fills up.

When this is full, gamers can activate a "hotspot".

The beauty of a hotspot is that once gamers get into the hotspot, shooting will ensure points and can enable gamers to score six points from a single basket!

After a player has scored three baskets in a row they will be set alight and have increased abilities. To put out the fire, the opposing team has to score a basket.

Essentially NBA Jam will provide gamers with hours of fun and is ideal for parties with the ability for up to six players to play simultaneously.

Anybody with a vague interest in basketball or fans of fast paced arcade games should give this a try.

Michael Wilson

PRICE: £19.99

PLAYERS: 1-6

AGE RATING: 3+

GENRE: Basketball

FORMAT: PS2/XBOX

GRAPHICS: 18/20

SOUND: 17/20

GAMEPLAY: 22/25

LIFESPAN: 20/25

ORIGINALITY: 4/10

OVERALL: 81%

TOP 10

1. UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal

2. Pokemon Colosseum

3. Hitman: Contracts

4. Norton Internet Security 2004

5. Ninja Gaiden

6. Van Helsing

7. The Suffering

8. Fight Night 2004

9. Transformers

10. Sonic Heroes

UPCOMING

Classic NES Series (GBA); F-Zero: GP Legend (GBA); Fair Strike (PC); Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (PS2).