Screw 'NBA Jam'

When EA released "NBA Street" for PlayStation 2 and GameCube a couple years ago, it ushered in a second renaissance of arcade-esque hoops action in lieu of "Arch Rivals" and "NBA Jam." While those games were justifiably loved, "Street" upped the ante with flashier graphics, better music, funnier voices and all-around cooler gameplay. Now, along comes "NBA Street Vol. 2," and much like with its predecessor, a new era of b-ball balletics has been born.\nGamers will be preoccupied well into fall semester with what "Street 2" has to offer. Modes of play include Street School (nothing more than a tutorial), Pick Up Games, NBA Challenge and Be a Legend, in which you create your own player en route to street ball domination. In playing each mode, gamers amass reward points, which allow them to unlock classic greats (i.e. "Pistol" Pete Maravich, Dr. J, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan circa '85 and '96 and Dominique Wilkins -- among others). Points may also be used to improve created players, unlock classic jerseys or develop new, mind-bogglingly cool moves.\nWhile the game is similar in theme, it's certainly an improvement over the first installment. Character and level renderings are far cleaner, the announcer is less annoying, the music is better (this, despite the presence of Nelly) and the gameplay is faster and more furious than before. With the NBA finals coming to a close, "NBA Street Vol. 2" will give basketball junkies something worthwhile and wholly entertaining to do until next season rolls around.