NBA In The Zone (video game)


NBA In The Zone is a video game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation. It is the first game in the NBA in the Zone series. It has many sequels. NBA In The Zone 2, released in 1996, NBA In The Zone '98, released in 1997, NBA In The Zone 99, released in 1998 and NBA In The Zone 2000, released on February 2000. The cover features a shot of the Western Conference Finals from the 1995 NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.

Development

NBA In The Zone was the second game for Konami's line of 32-bit sports titles after Goal Storm.

Gameplay

NBA In The Zone features an NBA license and uses only five players per team, and the game plays through only the playoffs and exhibitions.

Reception

Next Generation reviewed the PlayStation version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "The supernatural two-on-two of NBA Jam was more honest."
Johnny Ballgame of GamePro gave the original game a mixed review, criticizing the difficult controls when playing defense, the crowd which makes no noise except during replays and "looks like a cardboard cutout", and the inappropriately mellow music, but praising the variety of moves, fun graphical effects, and high level of detail on the players. Noting that the game is more "in the tradition of NBA Jam" than a realistic basketball sim, he deemed it worth buying as a holdover until more solidly outstanding basketball games arrive on the PlayStation. Next Generations brief review stated, "Although it looks good, this is a basketball game for fans who just like to watch highlight reels: non-existent defense and muddy controls mar a promising effort." They scored it two out of five stars.

Reviews