Let me start by saying that NBA ShootOut ’97 is a "fun" two-player game. 
The graphics are stunning.  While a few new motion captures have been
added, many  aspects of the game are not included (post up moves, etc.). 
It’s still more realistic compared to last years original however. 
Players look and perform like their real-life counterparts.  An all-star
game, improved roster management, stat tracking, and season quick
simulation features have also been added.  Noticeable features removed
from last year’s ShootOut include less foul calls, flashing cameras from
the crowd, and players hanging on the rim after dunks.  I’m not sure why
these were removed, since they definitely added to the game’s realism. 

While the game has made considerable strides over its previous version,
it still falls short when it comes to many of the fundamentals, sounds,
and experiences of being at a real NBA game.  When compared to NBA Live
’97, ShootOut ’97 has far better graphics and control.   As for a
one-player game however, Live ’97 offers truer NBA style basketball.

The bottom line is:  ShootOut ‘97 feels as though you’re playing a fun
arcade game like In the Zone 2, while NBA Live ’97 makes you feel as if
you’re really in an NBA game.  

Wishful thinking for next years version would be to incorporate more NBA
realism into the game plus a referee at tip-off, players with head bands
and knee pads, and possibly players waiving their hands calling for the
ball (key word here is wishful).

__________________________________________________________________

I’ve broken the game into the following categories under which I’ll
outline key features including what’s been improved, what’s new, what
needs improving, and what’s not included:

1)  Graphics 
· Artwork -
 	new - actual player faces
 	not included - player shadows
· Animation - 
	improved - blocking & shooting motion captures
· Special Animations - 
	new - special moves (behind back dribble and between leg
	dribble), dunks (360, windmill, tomahawk, one hand, two hand)
	needs improving - mid-air dish animations	

2)  Realism  
· Basketball Fundamentals -
	improved - fastbreak 
	new - pump fake, fade away  
	needs improving - one-player simulation game (little ball
	movement by CPU before shot).  unrealistic game and player stats 
	(high field goal and three point %, 48 min game scoring, field 
	goal and three point shot attempts, fouls, rule violations, etc ) 
	not included - overthrown passes, injuries, flagrant fouls, 
	traveling, goaltending, lob pass, spin move, post up, turn around 
	jumper, tip-in or follow up dunk, hook shot, box out, block
	shots from behind, left-handed shooters, signature moves or dunks
	
· Artificial intelligence - 
	improved - player ratings and real performances

3)  Sounds 
· Courtside noises - 
	needs improving - sounds of players grunting when colliding
	not included - sounds of players falling on court
· Crowd noises - 
	needs improving - crowd noise elevation in response to big plays 
	or scoring runs
· Game Music - 
	not included - intermittent music during key situations
· Commentary - 
	needs improving - colorful commentary too distractive (PA
	announcer needs only to announce basket, assist, substitutions, 
	free throws, etc just as in the real NBA).  

4)  Camera 
· Game Views - 
	needs improving - up court views (needs to be closer down on
	court or behind ball handler.  Programmable views such as in 
	GameDay ‘97 is probably best).

5)  Gameplay
· Gamespeed - 
	needs improving - simulation mode speed (too fast).  adjustable 
	gamespeed such as seen in GameDay ’97 is probably best. 
· Playbook - 
	new - time-out display, play selection shown on screen during
	game, icon passing
	
6)  Presentation 
· On Screen Displays - 
	needs improving - player photo displays (totals shown only after
	scoring, assist, rebound, block creates less screen distraction)
· Tip-off - 
	needs improving - announcer team introduction (needs exciting NBA
	style announcer tip-off similar to NBA Live ’97 and the real NBA)

7)  Season 
· Stats - 
	new - league leaders, team stats, player stats, team standings

8)  Game Options 
	improved - roster management (create, release, sign players
	added) new - all-star game, all-star rosters, quick simulation for
	season games
	not included - unable to custom configure controller

9)  Errors 
	needs improving - game point totals (combined field goals plus
	three points do not add up correctly)
	needs improving - polygon collisions (players can literally
	dribble through defenders when using the game’s special moves)

- Alvin Easter