Summary:

Konami offers PSX owners a visually stunning game of round ball 
featuring spectacular dunks, spins, and behind the back passes. 
Those who enjoy fast paced arcade basketball will be very happy 
with this game. However, those looking for a deep basketball 
simulation will be left wanting. NBA: In the Zone is closer to 
NBA JAM than it is to EA’s NBA Live.

  As I previously mentioned, NBA: In the Zone looks beautiful. 
Every object on the screen is very detailed. Each court has its 
trademark logos and colours. Team uniforms are incredibly 
accurate right down to logos, numbers, and names. Many of the 
players look like their real-life counterpart. Horace Grant has 
his goggles, Rodman’s hair changes colour, and every player has 
wristbands and kneepads in the right places.
  In the Zones’ players are a cross between Sega’s Virtua 
Fighter 1(square features) and Namco’s Tekken(detailed texture 
maps). Player movement is very fluid. One can clearly see 
between-the-leg dribbles, fade-aways, spins, and a variety of 
jams. To compliment this, In the Zone displays an instant 
replay after every score, and three different camera 
perspectives in which to view the action. All camera angles are 
practical with the quarter view, similar to NBA Live, being my 
favourite. It is quite obvious that Konami’s programmers put a 
great deal of effort towards visuals. Unfortunately, In the 
Zone’s designers paid less attention to the game’s sound and 
music.
  Crowd noises and effects, i.e. the ball bouncing on the 
court, are average. Music is typical video game hip-hop/dance 
music. Their is an announcer, but he quickly becomes annoying. 
I refuse to choose the announcer option during a Houston 
Rocket’s game because he pronounces Robert Horry’s name as 
Oley. The click used to denote a block shot is just as bad.
  As I stated earlier, NBA: In the Zone is more arcade than 
simulation. The game does not allow substitutions as there are 
only five players per team. While most teams have their entire 
starting line up, there are a number of glaring omissions (most 
likely due to licensing restrictions?). Shaq, Jordan, and 
Barkley to name a few. Also, teams are composed of their 
pre-draft rosters. B. J. Armstrong is the Raptors’ guard, not 
Stoudimire(sp?). Majerle and Mourning are still on their 
original teams.
  Controlling your player will be awkward for those accustomed 
to NBA Live’s scheme. One must select a player to pass to by 
pressing either L1, R1, or Circle (button assignments can be 
change). I prefer holding the D-pad in the direction of my 
intended team mate instead of Konami’s scheme. You can make 
your players spin or dribble behind his back by pressing a 
button, but which one he does seems to be random.
  The AI in this game needs more work. One does not have the 
ability to call set offensive and defensive plays. On offense, 
your team mates seem to just stand around. Only the player you 
select to receive a pass will try to get open. Your team’s 
defense is poor. The opposing players do not have any problem 
driving the lane. The only way to prevent this is to switch to 
the player closest to the ball. One can not rely on the 
computer controlled players to play tight D. The opposing 
team’s defense is uneven. I can score at will in the first 
half, but always get my shot blocked in the second half. 
  The AI has one major flaw that allows you to win a game if 
you can get the lead. If you’re ahead a basket or two, just 
take the ball near the sidelines and let your opponent knock 
the ball out of bounds. You will get a new shot clock (knocking 
the ball out of bound does not give you a new shot clock in 
real basketball unless it gets kicked out). Once you inbound 
the ball, the defender will not try to steal the ball until you 
start to dribble. Therefore, just stand there. Once your shot 
clock starts running out, dribble close to the sidelines and 
your opponent will knock it out of bounds again. Repeat. With 
this method, I won the NBA championship defeating San Antonio, 
11-6, using Orlando.
  Even with these flaws, NBA: In the Zone is still fun. It is 
like watching Rewind, or Jam Session, on NBA Inside Stuff. 
However, I’ll gladly trade it in for a basketball game that 
adds player trades, play calling, substitutions, and season 
play (In the Zone only allows exhibition and playoffs). Maybe 
NBA Live ‘96 for the PSX will be the answer.
  For those who are looking for a fun game of arcade 
basketball: 9/10
  For those interested in serious hoops, control freaks, and 
armchair coaches: 7/10