Oddly, the final NBA Courtside didn’t remind me of the previous ones on N64, but rather NBA Jam 2000. Like that, this also includes simulation and arcade modes and, as a result, doesn’t really do either of them too well. Arcade mode is 3-on-3 but doesn’t have much in the way of spectacle other than the court being on top of a building. Circles will appear at various points and heading into one and scoring will net you extra points.

But the core game doesn’t feel very good. Defending is far more difficult than the previous Courtside games and your AI teammates seem to just stand idly with their arms downwards. On the flip side, passing is also much easier so you have a higher potential for scoring. For being the only basketball so far, this does the job, but it doesn’t bring anything to the table, either.

Fine

You might find more long-term challenge in other basketball games, but we’ve had more fun with the slick, arcadey Courtside than we have with any of the recent EA titles, and it’s far better-looking than even the Xbox equivalents. Veterans might want to wait to see how Sega’s effort turns out, but if you prefer a Nintendo-style take on the sport, Courtside does the job more than adequately.

Martin Kitts, NGC Magazine #66

Remake or remaster?

Better basketball games exist.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no official way to play NBA Courtside 2002.