NBA Ballers: Phenom

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Apr 5, 2006
NBA Ballers: Phenom Image
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

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  • Summary: Here it is...The NBA Finals in sunny Los Angeles, California. It's time for all the unknowns from around the world to step on the court and get noticed by the right people. From scouts and coaches to casting directors, everyone is looking for the next "phenom." You have one week to check outHere it is...The NBA Finals in sunny Los Angeles, California. It's time for all the unknowns from around the world to step on the court and get noticed by the right people. From scouts and coaches to casting directors, everyone is looking for the next "phenom." You have one week to check out the city and prove that you're the one everyone is looking for. Take the trophy in unique basketball tournaments, customize your style to get all the eyes on you, and interact with the local scene. By the end of the week, you could be the #1 draft pick of the NBA or on your way to your own entertainment empire. Have you got the skills to prove you belong at the top? [Midway]… Expand
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NBA Ballers: Phenom Gameplay Movie 3

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Next Level Gaming
    88
    The game has attitude to it that other games don't. And it looks good too.
  2. IGN
    79
    Phenom does a couple of minor additions to its formula, like the story mode and the bolstering of the roster, but the control, graphical and gameplay issues from the original title haven't been addressed at all, leaving a title that doesn't feel like an improvement.
  3. PSM2 Magazine UK
    78
    The story mode and frantic action make for an enjoyable b-ball experience. [Aug 2006, p.73]
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  4. 1UP
    70
    If you like a little more meat to your basketball games, this is surely a great game with plenty to keep you occupied both online and off, but when pit head-to-head against a full field of competitors, what Phenom offers is different, but not quite in a league of its own.
  5. eToychest
    68
    Even the online mode feels lacking, supporting only one-on-one matches using either your custom character or an unlocked NBA star, rather than the two-on-two match ups available offline.
  6. PSM Magazine
    65
    At the end of the day, Phenom is essentially a beefed-up NBA Jam: the one-on-one gameplay isn't significantly deeper than that of the original Ballers, and the "extras"--the open world and custimizable lifestyle--aren't really anything we haven't seen before, even in other genres. [May 2006, p.80]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Game Revolution
    42
    NBA Ballers: Phenom might mark a change from its predecessor with a new story mode and faux third-person exploration, but it ultimately tries too much and does too little. Compared to EA’s more complex series, this is one street baller you’ll want to leave on the curb.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Mark
    Mar 29, 2006
    9
    The gameplay still shines in this second installment, with all kinds of new *bling* added, such more customizeable create-a-player parts, moreThe gameplay still shines in this second installment, with all kinds of new *bling* added, such more customizeable create-a-player parts, more nba players and legends, a very surprisingly amusing story mode, and the biggie - 2v2 ballers style :) Rags-to-riches is still as unique as ever. Graphics are great for this gen. Love the little added mini-game distractions and the roaming mini worlds!… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PS2 Game of 2006