NFL Street - PS2

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NFL Street (PS2)
Also for: Xbox, GameCube
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Sport: Football - American
Media: CD Arcade origin:No
Developer: EA Tiburon Soft. Co.: Electronic Arts
Publishers: Electronic Arts (GB)
Released: 30 Jan 2004 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 3+
Connectivity: Network Adaptor (Ethernet) compatible
Accessories: Memory Card
Features: Vibration Function Compatible, Analogue Control Compatible: analogue sticks only

Summary

The concept of BIGging-up your average sports sim is certainly a popular one over at Electronic Arts, and the latest sporting pastime to receive such a makeover is American Football, in the form of NFL Street. As its title suggests, the game takes NFL off the field and into the suburbs and in doing so, trims down the stats, speeds up the action and delivers a much more arcade-like experience.

As is generally the case with EA's BIG series, the emphasis throughout is on fast-paced, high-adrenaline, over-the-top gameplay, which in this case has been given a 'street culture' slant. As such, the football itself has been stripped down to 7-on-7 and the action is full of bone-crunching tackles, pitches and plenty of exaggerated 'showboat' moves. There are also no punts, kicks, field goals, or penalties, so it's all about speed, power and style and none of that boring stuff like strategy, play-making and time-outs.

There are over 30 teams to choose from, made up of an impressive 300+ current NFL stars and legends, such as Barry Sanders. In each case the player models exaggerate the respective characters' real-life features, which, coupled with the fact that there are no helmets in NFL Street, allows their real personalities to shine through.

No EA Sports BIG title would be complete without a trick system and NFL Street doesn't let us down here. Throughout each game, great plays earn you Showboat points, which, in the usual fashion, gradually build up to unleash special moves, in this case known as Gamebreakers. These Gamebreakers put you in 'the zone' and, when triggered, allow you to perform such manoeuvres as plowing through the opposing team or knocking the ball loose on defence.

In keeping with EA's commitment to multiplayer gaming, full online support is available if you've got around to buying yourself a Network Adapter, thus allowing you to face off with opponents worldwide over the 'Net. In style typical of the company, NFL Street is packed full of features, options and personality, making for a game that is sure to give you plenty of replayability.