Pros:
- Feels like NBA Jam, sounds plenty like the Genesis FM Synth or SNES sampling, very appropriate
- Nice variety of mechanics/behaviour/traps
- Very good implementation of the basketball staple of release-shoot-at-peak style of gameplay
Cons:
- No clue how to dunk
- Didn't realize CPU kept scoring with the non-valid balls until far too late
- Reminds me of how I always lose at basketball games despite my vast relationship with them
- Lack of a narrative which could have boosted the effectiveness of the theme adherence et al
Here & There:
It's a fun game that doesn't feel too simple or too boisterous as many sports games tend to. It's got funny little moments and a solid loop and an expected annoying computer to play against. Passing would be cool, though I never use it, but it would expand the perceived space of mechanics. The art is nice on the whole and again, the sound is appropriate and enjoyable. Theme adherence is middling, because it's basketball with more stuff, but it doesn't feel like it's been really necessitated or established why or what specifically caused it. It's a good bit of fun to play and I'll likely revisit it soon.