Is NBA Street V3 the ultimate arcade basketball game? That's the question everyone's looking to have answered. It's at this point (the third chapter) in any game series where they solidify the position of champion, or show that they didn't have as much steam as we all thought. EA Sports hasn't been one to disappoint us though. Let's see if they can keep the tradition.

At first glance the series doesn't appear to have changed much. Actually that might not be the best way to describe it – it's clear from the screens alone that the graphics have been upgraded. But the gameplay – that doesn't seem to be changed at all. It'll stay that way if you play the game exactly as you've played the previous volumes.

From this point of the game the newest and coolest thing was the artistic graphic style. Anyone who's seen Kill Bill will instantly pick up on the interesting use of blue colors and wide camera angles. I wouldn't have thought of something like this as being appropriate for a basketball game, but it just goes to show how other art forms have influenced the game industry.

Goals have been dropped down a point. Three-pointers no longer exist, and you only get one point for dunking and standard shots. Not a bad change, though it can make the games last a LOT longer.

 
I'm gonna dunk you like an Oreo in milk.

The increase in length is justified by the increase in gameplay variety. NBA Street V3 implements the trick stick controls utilized in FIFA Street. This game succeeds where FIFA failed; dozens of tricks are available, all of which can be whipped into a combo, creating hundreds of unique possibilities. I wasn't overly excited about using the stick at first, but that's only because it's something we don't experience everyday. Most games don't even acknowledge the right analog stick's presence except to give players a way to change the camera. It isn't hard to use though, and it does seem to give you more move and combo opportunities than you would have had with a single trick button.

Subtle gameplay tweaks take the series back to the beginning, but also move the game forward. Volume 2 was great, but it felt like it was too easy to lose the ball if your opponent was a good goaltender. Goaltending hasn't been removed, nor has its potency been lessened. However, the long shots, even those from the side where no backboard is there to help you, have become a little bit easier. Each player has his/her set of strengths and weaknesses, but many of them seemed really good at it, even those whose strengths favored dunks over shooting.

This doesn't make the game easier for anyone; it just makes it more of a challenge for those who love to goaltend (this includes everyone on the planet). New strategies must be learned to keep up with the computer-controlled players as well as your friends. It's these kinds of gameplay enhancements the Street games worth coming back to year after year.

One of the most-talked-about features for NBA Street V3 has been the court creator. It sounded like a good idea, but in the back of my mind I couldn't help but wonder: is this going to be a Tony Hawk's Pro Skater knock-off? How much time will I need to invest in the game to create a good court? Will the process be any fun?

 
Drop the ball and high-five me. Come 'on, it's not a trick! Honest!

Answer: no, not much, and yes, yes, yes! Once again NBA Street is the most stylish game of its kind with tons of street-style changes. Change your location (upscale cities or moderately aged neighborhoods); add logos and emblems; change the color and line formation; make the court looker old and dirty or fresh and new; switch the net, grab a new basket, incorporate different backboards, etc. The mixture of items lets players give their court their own personal touches. Homemade courts are only unique in their asthetics, but I was surprised by how much fun it was to build one. As you move up the ranks in the Street Challenge mode, you'll earn points that unlock additional building material. Get ballin' and the players will come callin'.

Within the Street Challenge mode are dozens on top of dozens of challenges for you to conquer ... if you're good enough. NBA Street masters should get through the first half of the game without breaking a sweat, but don't write your trophy acceptance speech just yet. NFL Street Vol. 2 might've given you the impression that the series wasn't going to be as challenging as it was before. Maybe it's just me, but the last NFL Street game seemed easier than the first (it still ruled in the day in multiplayer, earning an overall score of 9.0). NBA Street V3 is considerably more challenging.

Before you begin the challenges and start earning points to make that perfect, so-cool-it-makes-your-friends-drool court, the Street Challenge mode has you create your own player. Male or female, tall or short, thick or skinny. Hair, skin tone, the shape of the player's face – if it's relevant to the creation of a good athlete, you can bet it's in this game.

Besides height, which I love to push to the limits (you can't jump higher than the tallest baller on the court), the best part is being able to upgrade your player's stats. Dunks, shots, blocks, and steals are just four of the attributes that players must work toward improving. A few points are given to you at the start of the game, but depending on which attributes you want to increase the most (shots cost a lot), your character may not grow as evenly as it should. Whether or not the cons are worth the pros – that's up to you.

I can jump higher than you! I can jump higher than you!

From the Street Challenge and all the features within it, to the multiplayer brawls and the new Dunk Contest, NBA Street V3 is a rock-solid, must-play sequel. The six-player feature is all most gamers will need to keep their butt from getting off the couch. Those who need (or want) more get it in the form of lengthy single-player modes. Design your own shoes if you like, using brand name models (create and save up to ten pairs).

Gameplay: 9.0
When you play NBA Street V3 for the first time, you might not know which mode to check out first. Should you check out the Dunk Contest, which asks players to jump over a series of obstacles and perform the best dunk? Should you go for the Street Challenge and spend the next few days honing your skills, making new shoes and polishing your court, all the while increasing your athlete's butt-kicking ability? Or should you go online, join a team, and compete in one of the best multiplayer games around? So many choices. So many reasons to love NBA Street V3.

Graphics: 8.9
Beautifully detailed, beautifully artistic. NBA Street V3 doesn’t blow its competitors or predecessors out of the water. It does, however, showcase some of the coolest camera angles and graphic styles that I have ever seen in a sports game.

Sound: 5.0
More rap/hip-hop for your listening pleasure, if you consider that pleasurable.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Being a pro baller is tougher than it looks. And with the new trick stick moves, it’s even harder to be that million point-scoring superstar you wish to become.

Concept: 8.0
Improves on the original and the first sequel. NBA Street V3’s trick stick adds more moves and maneuverability to the player; the Street Challenge mode is stuffed with time-killing challenges (score the most points, the most trick points, the first Gamebreaker, etc.); and the online multiplayer mode was a must for the series and a no-brainer.

Multiplayer: 9.4
Got a few friends? Invite ‘em over and make sure they bring along a couple of their friends. You’ll need them if you want to play NBA Street V3 the way that it was meant to be played: three-on-three multiplayer madness with six players! New online multiplayer mode means broadband users can do the same, extending the challenges and fierce challenges for months to come.

Overall: 9.1
V3 – standing for very vivacious and vonderful (that’s a word! Sure, of course it is!) – takes the game forward, shifts it into reverse, backs up a little, then speeds ahead to become the best in the series. It’s got all the goods of the original, more refinement than the sequel, and more replay value than both predecessors.