When you look at the sports market there are typically two types of games; those which try to go the realistic path and offer the best gameplay, and those who go over the top with crazy moves. Not many try to tread the line in-between, but NBA Ballers: Chosen One is one of those titles that do. Not only does it do it, but it does it successfully. With the NBA stipulating that EA and Midway can release street style games once every two years, it's the only street game you will see in 2008 that is licensed. Thankfully for ball fans, it's worth the play time.

This game puts you in the shoes of a young rookie, dominating on the streets and performing so well that he is invited to the Chosen One tournament. Held after the regular NBA season finishes, Chosen One works very much like the Tennis Masters Series. The best of the best come and fight against each other to be the number one player. Our character (who you can customise) has dominated the street so much that he is invited to mix it with the pros and the game revolves around becoming number one.

One area where the game truly excels is the presentation. It is not a stretch to say the first time you load a story chapter, your jaw will drop as incredible high definition video of a fictional TV series comes to life, with Chuck D as the presenter. It looks just like a sports studio and the presentation is phenomenal. It's just a shame that the gameplay itself does not live up to these lofty standards, however there is no doubt that if EA and others want to go down the path of live presenters, then this sets the bar very high indeed.

Once you get going you can customise your character in a variety of ways, but mostly as you would expect. Name, hairstyles, build, tattoos etc are all available and as you progress further into the game you unlock more clothes and more signature moves for your player. To do this you participate in a number of TV episodes, each with about five or six levels to complete. There is around thirty or so challenges that must be met with some easy and some very difficult. One area we don't like about the game is that in some cases a heck of a lot of luck is required.

However with that said the developers have to be credited for gameplay as this is one of the most original street games we have played for a while. The stock standard 1 v 1 and 2 v 2 appear in the game, but also there are modes where there are no rules. Pushing etc is allowed and in one mode as soon as the ball is put in the net, it becomes live again allowing a player to rack up a lot of points quickly. We must admit, it has a small learning curve because you feel you can relax once a dunk goes in, and were shocked to have the game continue on.

Another clear indication that this is not an NBA Street wannabe is that the tricks are very much grounded in the real world. While some of the tricks really would be banned in the NBA (slamming a ball off your opponents head for instance), they would actually be possible to do given time and practice. This gives Ballers a much more realistic take on the sport and as such manages to have both simulation and arcade elements.

With the official NBA license comes official NBA players. Although the stadiums are out in the street and thus they have chosen not to replicate the NBA venues, the players and teams are represented with some of the biggest names in world basketball present such as Lebron James. There is also a clear difference in the playing style of each and also in looks. For instance, if a player is taller than another in real life, then that’s clearly reflected in the game.

Visually the game does not look the best on the Xbox 360 console, but the gameplay shines which allows you to forget the lacklustre visuals easily. The animation and characters are fine - it’s the background which really could have been improved. The soundtrack is also is going to be a love/hate relationship with R&B and rap music making up the most of it.

NBA Ballers: Chosen One surprised us. With NBA Street 3, EA produced the finest street game available on the planet and the gauntlet was thrown down. Midway has picked up the pieces and put together a fantastically playable game, even for those who may not be the biggest basketball fans. Fans of Street wanting something new to play in 2008 and any sports fan in general will get something out of NBA Ballers: Chosen One.