NBA Ballers: Chosen One

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 23
  3. Negative: 7 out of 23
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  1. GameTap
    70
    NBA Ballers: Chosen One is a battle game. Think Street Fighter meets the NBA, and that's where the game is in its element.
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    70
    A minor multiplayer triumph. [July 2008, p.103]
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  3. Game Informer
    68
    Chosen One offers a decent arcade basketball experience, but its short single player and weak online options ultimately keep it from unseating the current street champ, "NBA Street Homecourt."
  5. PSM3 Magazine UK
    67
    But while mising tricks and fighting for the ball is fluid and engaging in one on one games , things don't fare as well with four players. [Aug 2008, p.80]
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  6. Cheat Code Central
    64
    Definitely a game that focuses on its themes rather than gameplay or functionality. The theme is definitely the building of your "baller" status, though the process of doing so is sometimes nonsensical given the rule system and gameplay mechanics.
  7. GameDaily
    60
    Midway didn't update its roster (Jason Kidd plays for Dallas, not New Jersey), the story mode (what there is of it) makes no sense and the artificial intelligence is quite boneheaded. We dig Ballers for its multiplayer mode, but that's not enough to warrant a $60 purchase.
  8. GameSpy
    60
    While Ballers hits from long-range with pretty graphics and plenty of Cribz-esque intros and unique elements, it clangs off the rim a bit with its Chosen One storyline execution.
  9. DailyGame
    60
    NBA Ballers: Chosen One tries to do too many things at once, never really succeeded at any of them.
  10. ZTGD
    60
    The multi-player is still addictive and beefing up your baller is simple enough for anyone to enjoy, but the problems float a bit too close to the surface for fans of the genre to ignore.
  11. DarkStation
    60
    As good as the game could have been, you cannot manage to overlook the fact that the experience just isn't up to par with other basketball games that are out there right now.
  12. IGN
    60
    Delivers more of the same gameplay from the Xbox version, but with new additions that do nothing but hurt the overall formula. The multiplayer action is still fun if you can get enough friends to sit down and play with you, but that’s probably not enough to warrant the sixty dollar expenditure.
  13. GameTrailers
    57
    Basketball should be fast-paced and fluid, yet Chosen One constantly slams on the brakes with impractical design decisions. Irritating computer AI, frustrating challenges, sloppy controls, and an over-reliance on performing specific combos to win are not what you want in a street ball game.
  14. GameSpot
    55
    There's no reason to pick this one up, regardless of how bad you need a basketball fix--there are plenty of cheaper, better options available.
  15. GameZone
    54
    Luke was a Chosen One. Neo was a Chosen One. Woody and Buzz Lightyear – even they are Chosen Ones. This game, however, is not.
  16. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    50
    Give Chosen One credit for its polished presentation and solid story mode, but its focus on highlight-reel style gets in the way of its gameplay substance. [June 2008, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  17. Kombo
    50
    Maybe some time on the bench and a fresh playbook will improve any future iteration of the series.

Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. yankees890
    Jul 29, 2013
    7
    i didn't have a problem with this game. not sure why its rated so low. played it in 4 player mode and it was a blast. Good messing around gamei didn't have a problem with this game. not sure why its rated so low. played it in 4 player mode and it was a blast. Good messing around game for multi player good as a party game.… Full Review »
  2. DrewComo
    Apr 24, 2008
    7
    I was really looking forward to this... I loved the very first Ballers game for the XBOX, however I skipped 'Phenom'. (Due to aI was really looking forward to this... I loved the very first Ballers game for the XBOX, however I skipped 'Phenom'. (Due to a lack of time...)

    I bought the game for the PS3, and found that the game play was kinda what I expected, however I don't have a HDTV connected to my PS3 and the visuals just plain gave me a headache. The thin lines and really super small text 'jumps' all over the screen making the experience give me a headache. I played for about an hour or so and enjoyed the game, however walked away looking for the Tylenol.

    Graphically,I think I was expecting a little more. After playing Chosen One, I played a quick round of the original and found that both of them looked similar and even maybe the originally was a little more polished.

    I still feel that my purchase was justified and will enjoy the game, however the level of polish that maybe I was expecting is just not here... :-(    … Full Review »
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