NBA ShootOut 2003

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Sep 25, 2002
Metascore
62

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Cinescape
    67
    As whole, things like the fine tuning of the free throw shooting and shooting just don’t quite compare to some of the other games that will be released over the next couple of weeks. It’s a shame really, but ShootOut doesn’t play as well as the competitors.
  2. Electric Playground
    70
    The best thing about NBA ShootOut 2003 is the career mode that allows you to create a player and work your way into the NBA through good play in the summer leagues.
  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    50
    My biggest gripe is that the special moves are ineffective to the point of being useless, and you can rack up over 20 blocked shots a game, which is absolutely ridiculous. [Dec 2002, p.212]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. G4 TV
    80
    Factor in the ability to play the Summer Leagues and NBDL, and the game's shortcomings seem minimal.
  6. Game Informer
    68
    Full of more holes than Swiss cheese. [Nov 2002, p.119]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Game Over Online
    70
    cCuld’ve been a solid basketball experience, were the controls tighter. The Career mode is a very creative addition to the sports genre, and a welcome one at that.
  8. Game Revolution
    33
    Join me as I pour my cheap beer all over this game. Though a few nice tweaks put it on the right street, it's still going the wrong direction thanks to bad gameplay mechanics, awful graphics and sluggish control.
  9. GamePro
    60
    A better effort than past installments, but it still needs a lot of serious work before it can truly compete.
  10. Gamers' Temple
    74
    Probably the biggest knock against NBA ShootOut 2003 (if you ignore the complaints of defense purists) is the graphics. The player models and faces are a bit rough, and it can be hard at times to see the resemblance of marquee players to their real-life counterparts.
  11. GamerWeb Sony
    65
    Sim junkies will be totally captivated by its career mode, and if you can get past this games technical woes, you'll have a great time playing.
  12. GameSpot
    53
    Needs work, especially with its control system, which is absolutely put to shame by EA's freestyle control scheme for "NBA Live 2003."
  13. GameSpy
    71
    The series is making progress, but it's still a cut below what Sega and EA are offering.
  14. GameZone
    68
    Career mode steals the ball and dribbles down the floor, passes to gameplay, gameplay passes the ball to graphics, graphics dribbles the ball off its foot. That about sums it up.
  15. Gaming Age
    33
    Like last years build, the pace of the game is just way too slow to realistically simulate the pace of an NBA basketball game. Unless of course you’re the Knicks or the Cavaliers.
  16. Gaming Maxx
    85
    The game may not be completely up to par with the competition in other areas, but the career mode is definitely the best to have.
  17. IGN
    73
    It may not be pretty or fast, but it's realistic and most definitely sports the best career mode we've seen in a long, long time.
  18. Media and Games Online Network
    78
    989 Sports has created their most impressive sports title in a very long time.
  19. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    Defense is the name of this game, but it's also the game's biggest flaw. [Dec 2002, p.170]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. Operation Sports
    73
    This series has a lot of potential. The future is bright.
  21. PSM Magazine
    70
    What sticks out most is the excellent career mode. [Dec 2003, p.46]
    All this publication's reviews
  22. PSX Nation
    70
    It’s a FUN and tight-controlling sim, whose full impact is held back by the awkward animation routines of the players on the court and the inane Waltonisms Mr. Bill gets away with uttering.
  23. Sports Gaming Network
    42
    The AI is rudimentary; CPU teams don't shoot the ball when open on the perimeter, show no evidence of a post-up game, and generally run around like headless chickens.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. RobertB.
    Mar 5, 2003
    7
    I give this game approx. a 7...The graphics are pretty good considering the fact that basketball is possibly the hardest game to emulate into I give this game approx. a 7...The graphics are pretty good considering the fact that basketball is possibly the hardest game to emulate into a video game situation. The sounds in the court are pretty accurate to a real game, but I think that the comentary needs some work.… Full Review »
  2. DonovanR.
    Jan 15, 2003
    6
    All I have to say is CAREER MODE.
  3. DennyC.
    Jan 7, 2003
    0
    Rancid! Only basketball game on the market sans a franchise mode. Like telling your 5 yr old son to go mow the lawn when everyone else's Rancid! Only basketball game on the market sans a franchise mode. Like telling your 5 yr old son to go mow the lawn when everyone else's teenagers are out doing it. That's what I think of career mode. It's pathetic having a game in this age where you cannot control rosters, only the fortunes of one player. Career mode is vastly overrated. They take the starting player from the team you picks position to top it off. Graphics are Tecmo Bowl-esque, gameplay is sorry, the only way to miss shots is to have them blocked, and there is nothing revolutionary about the game. And there's no silver lining to it. Like trying to find a virgin in a whorehouse. Miserable hoops game. James Naismith would be disgraced he invented the sport if he played this game.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »