NBA Baller Beats

NBA Baller Beats is a rhythm game developed by HB Studios and released by Majesco Entertainment on the Xbox 360 for use with the Kinect motion sensing controller. Unlike most rhythm games that revolve around dancing or playing musical instruments, NBA Baller Beats instead has players dribbling a basketball to the rhythm of popular music. The game is officially licensed by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and is bundled with a replica Spalding basketball.[1] Deron Williams is the cover athlete for the game.[2]

Not to be confused with NBA Ballers.
NBA Baller Beats
Retail package with the included ball and Deron Williams on the game case.
Developer(s)HB Studios
Publisher(s)Majesco Entertainment
Platform(s)Xbox 360
Release
  • NA: September 11, 2012
Genre(s)Rhythm
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer (alternating turns)

The game has received positive reviews, with critics commenting that the game can improve basketball handling skills. However, concerns were raised with playing the game in a small room, as well as noise issues from both the game and the bouncing ball. Despite being well received, NBA Baller Beats did not sell well and was attributed to Majesco posting decreased earnings for 2012.

Gameplay
Players dribble the ball according to onscreen instructions for points; in-game environments feature actual NBA team logos.

In the game, various instructions to handle the basketball scroll down a lane on screen. Players are instructed to handle the ball various ways, including dribbling it in the left or right hand, passing it from one hand to another, dribbling between legs or faking a pass, all to the rhythm of the in-game music.[3] The more accurate and timely the player's motions are, the more points are awarded.[4] In this respect, the game has been considered as a possible way to teach basic basketball handling skills to novices.[5] A tutorial mode called "Beat School" can assist players with the various moves.[6]

Players can choose an NBA team and play in an environment adorned with that team's logo. Various unlockable content is also available, including in-game posters, trading cards and highlight videos for each team's players. Three different skill levels can be chosen - Rookie, Pro and Baller.[7] Songs can be played in different venues, including a basketball court, beach and an amusement park. The in-game environments visually react to the beats of each song. In addition to the game's single player mode, there is also a versus mode in which players switch out at different points of the match.[8]

Development and promotion

The game was developed by the Halifax division of HB Studios, which closed after development on the game was completed.[9] The developers wanted to use an actual basketball for gameplay and programmed the game to pick up the motion of a basketball along with the motion of players.[7]

A playable demo was exhibited at E3 2012.[3] In addition to having Deron Williams as the cover athlete, former NBA player Kenny Smith[5] as well the WNBA's New York Liberty were tapped to market the game.[10] Smith also provided narration for the in-game tutorial.[11]

Soundtrack

The game features a variety of popular music tracks:[1]

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
GameRevolution7.5/10
GameSpot7.0/10
GameZone7.5/10
OXM (US)7.5/10

Reception

The game has received positive reviews, with some reviewers pointing out that the game could improve basketball handling skills. The New York Daily News said that the game "Actually can make you a better ball-handler",[12] while Official Xbox Magazine said that players "definitely learn moves and increase your skills even if you never graduate past the Rookie difficulty level"[6] and a reviewer for Game Zone wrote that the game "will undoubtedly help you with ball control."[8] While the Daily News admitted that the game was playable in a living room even on a carpeted floor,[12] all three reviews raised concerns about playing in a small space and possible noise issues with neighbors.[6][8] Game Revolution echoed those concerns, while admitting that it does improve player's skills but also commenting that the game was not worth the full retail price.[13] GameSpot also commented that the game might not be worth the price, citing the lack of content and the repetitive gameplay, writing "there's not enough variety to keep you invested in the long term." Nevertheless, they had a positive impression of the game as a teaching tool, calling the title a "refreshing if flawed take on the rhythm genre."[4]

The game sold only 3,000 copies in its initial month of release.[14] The title's lower than expected sales figures were cited as a cause of Majesco's decreased earnings for 2012.[15]

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References
  1. Fletcher, JC (July 24, 2012). "These are the beats to which you'll play NBA Baller Beats". Joystiq. AOL Inc. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  2. McCann, Zach (June 7, 2012). "Deron Williams on new game, free agency". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  3. Fletcher, JC (June 7, 2012). "NBA Baller Beats: best basketball-controlled music game of E3". Joystiq. AOL Inc. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  4. Neigher, Eric (October 5, 2012). "NBA Baller Beats Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  5. Robinson, Jon (July 26, 2012). "Kenny Smith talks 'NBA Baller Beats,' Heat". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  6. Rudden, Dave (September 11, 2012). "NBA Baller Beats review". Official Xbox Magazine. Future US. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  7. Snider, Mike (April 23, 2012). "Xbox 360's 'NBA Baller Beats' could be a game-changer". USA Today. Gannett Co, Inc. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  8. Splechta, Mike (September 14, 2012). "NBA Baller Beats review". Game Zone. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  9. Totilo, Stephen (July 25, 2012). "Halifax-Based NBA Baller Beats Studio Shuts Down After Five Years". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  10. "New York Liberty Announce Marketing Partnership With First-of-Its-Kind Basketball Video Game NBA Baller Beats" (Press release). Majesco. August 16, 2012.
  11. Rougeau, Michael (September 11, 2012). ""NBA Baller Beats" Review: 7 Ways to Up Your Game with Kinect". Complex. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  12. Samuel, Ebenezer (September 11, 2012). "Video Game Review: NBA Baller Beats". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  13. Charles, Devin (September 13, 2012). "NBA Baller Beats Review". Game Revolution. AtomicOnline. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  14. Sliwinski, Alexander (October 12, 2012). "NBA Baller Beats sold 3,000 copies in debut month". 1up.com. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  15. Goldfarb, Andrew (January 15, 2013). "Low NBA Baller Beats Sales Deflate Majesco Earnings". IGN. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
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