RazorianFly

A couple of weeks ago, gaming giant Skyworks Interactive gave us a copy of their iPhone game ‘Arcade Hoops Basketball’. Since then, I’ve been putting it through it’s paces and although simple, it’s a tad addictive.

As the title of the game suggests, Arcade Hoops Basketball [App Store] works on the concept of the retro arcade game of the same name. The aim? – try to net as many basketball’s within a given amount of time.

The game is set in a 3D environment with a stack of balls in the bottom section, and a basketball net at the back of the set. Using your finger, you pick up fling and spin balls to try and net them, and just like ordinary basketball, the speed and direction of the fling will determine the flight of the ball.

The game features two playing modes; Classic and Progressive.

Classic Mode
In Classic mode, you have 4 balls to play with, and the hoop is static. The timer runs down from 45 seconds, and starts when you launch your first ball. Your aim is to net as many basket balls within that time. The status bar at the top of the screen relays different messages to you, dependent on how good it thought your move was. This LED screen also reflects how many points you score per shot taken. This bar also acts as a way to pause the game – just give it a tap.

Progressive Mode
In this mode, you again have 4 balls to play with, but this time, the plastic sheet in which the hoop is situated on, moves back and forth, and randomly. In order to score in this mode you’ll need to re-evaluate your sense of perspective.

Visuals, Animation and Sound
The visuals on the title are quite strong. I think Skywork’s have tried to make the game true enough to the real arcade game, as possible, while adding their own twist on things. The rendering of the basketballs are great – they look 3D. A small pair of hands in the bottom region of the screen will pick up and fling the balls for you – again, looking life-like. During flight, and once you’ve netted a ball a growing shadow appears under where the ball is about to hit, another nice touch.

Now to the visuals of the surroundings. These are also pretty good, but I did notice the red ‘netting’ appeared more prominent on the left of the game, than the right – nothing major, but it can be a little off-putting during game-play.

Sound. It’s spot on. From the sound of the balls hitting the clear perspex sheet, to actually netting the ball. Skywork’s have also included half sounds – so if the ball does miss the hoop, it plays the sound accordingly. On the start up screen of the application, touching the ‘i’ symbol in the bottom right brings you to the games options as well as game instructions. Here you can choose the volume of the backing track, as well as FX. Arcade Hoops Basketball comes with three choices of backing track.

Price
At £1.19 Arcade Hoops Basketball is affordable for most, and compared to some other titles – it’s pretty well designed. For the first time, I think I can say Arcade Hoops Basketball is a title worth it’s £1.19, and I wouldn’t suggest to drop the price any lower.

What I’d like to see

• Wifi Multiplayer (possible split screen view?)

• More background tracks

• More challenging playing modes

Overall
It’s a good time passer. I don’t think it currently has a big enough replay value as I’d like – but once you’ve had a few goes, you feel you need to beat your score, and that’s what ultimately increases the re-play of this thing. It looks good, it’s sounds great, and if your looking for retro arcade, you’ve found it.

Rating: 8.3/10

Reviewed at: v1.0
Released On: 31st October 2008
Retails for: £1.19

Compatible with: iPod touch G1 & G2 / iPhone Classic / iPhone 3G

Check them Out: Official Site
Check it Out: Arcade Hoops Basketball