NBA Fastbreak '98
Sony Playstation
1 or 2 players

Graphics: 8.5
	 The graphics in this game are very nice. The players look very 
realistic and are detailed. The animations are also great. Free throw 
motions are technically correct, unlike the Bill Cartwright-esque motion 
found in Live 98. The courts are done well but the stadiums do not vary. 
The crowd is very good and is animated. Color player photographs are shown 
at the bottom of the screen with the in-game overlays. Much like Live 98, 
useful information and stats are presented on the players throughout the 
game (pts. scored, runs, rebounds, etc.). In game movies and auto-replay 
is very good. Also, the player intros with music at the beginning of the 
game is cool (of course you can turn this off). 

Sound: 7.5
	 The announcer is good. He uses different tones of voice depending 
on home/away situations. The crowd is average. I have read criticism of 
the crowd being too quiet--well, turn up the crowd volume and it makes 
a big difference. Overall, I really like the sound. 

Gameplay: 8
	Excellent. This is easily the most realistic gameplay of any NBA 
game to date. The many plays that can be called are realistically 
executed. The cpu is intelligent. I got caught relaxing after fighting 
for a rebound a couple times and got snowbirded by the computer with a 
baseball pass and dunk. The fouls in this game are fully adjustable and 
the believable. From drawing charges to barely missing steals, the foul 
calling is the best I have seen. Also, this is not a game where you can 
drive into the lane at will and shoot. Your ass will get blocked if you 
do not work for position and angle in the lane. I cool feature allows 
you to "back in" with the ball or juke/drive special dunk or layup. 
Additionally, there is a button for setting picks. On defense you must 
push a "blockout" button or you will get pushed out of the way for a 
rebound. Playing defense in this game really gives you a feel for 
playing real defense. Steals and blocks are not nearly as easy to come 
by as in Live 98. CONTROL is very well done in Fastbreak 98. The players 
are responsive, but not to the point of making the game too NBA Jammish. 

Options/Misc.: 7.5
	 Virtually all the options of Live 98 are present in Fastbreak 98. 
Gamespeed is adjustable, a nice create and trade player is included, 
many camera angles (which are good), etc...are a few of the options. 
There is an awesome practice mode in Fastbreak 98. I did not really get 
too excited about this feature, but upon giving it a go I was impressed. 
When practicing it actually sounds and feels like you are in an empty 
gym by yourself. The cpu gives you feedback on your release every time 
you shoot. Another nice feature is the game mvp, season mvp, defensive 
player, rebound champ, scoring champ etc. (I love lots of postseason 
awards). 

A couple gripes: 
	 First, the new NBA rules are not in this game. The no charge line 
in the lane and the 5 man rule during free throws are absent. Second, 
the stats are not quite as good as EA's, but then again, EA is the stat 
king. 

Overall: 8.5
	Get this game! The stats end up being very realistic according to 
player ability. The scores are realistic with the 5:00 quarter setting. 
The gameplay and control is second to none. The actual NBA plays are in 
this game and faithfully executed. I am a basketball nut and have found 
no game more realistic than Fastbreak '98. I cannot say enough about how 
superior this game is to its competition. Knowledgable basketball fans 
will definitely be glad Midway created this game. 

-Gary Frank