Last month, we had NBA Live 2002 from EA Sports. This month it's Microsoft's bid for three-point glory, and basketball fans will be pleased to hear that NBA Inside Drive 2002 makes for a better game than EA's effort.

The main reason is that scoring isn't quite the foregone conclusion it is in NBA Live 2002. Of course, scoring happens a lot - this is basketball, after all - but the game makes you work for points a bit more. Balls seem more likely to bounce away from the hoop while opposing teams are keener to regain possession before you score. As a result, the action's more involving, the rhythm and flow of the game is less predictable and victory is all the sweeter for being hard won.

Another point in Inside Drive's favour is the inclusion of an effective steal button, which makes knocking the ball from an opponent's hands a more feasible prospect than in other basketball games. Now a skilled defensive player can dictate play a bit more, preventing matches from descending into tedious turn-based runs on the hoop dictated by who's in possession.

This gameplay polish doesn't extend to other aspects though, as the graphics are never anything more than decent. So while players look excellent and move smoothly, the crowd is flat and the courts don't reflect that natural shine that exudes from the EA game.

In terms of game modes, there are just three main choices. Aside from a straightforward exhibition match, you can play a whole season or shoot your way through a series of playoffs. A few extra surprises would have been nice - it would have been nice to see a penalty shootout mode, for example.

But there's enough here to base regular, raucous four player beer 'n' pizza nights around. Detailed, real-life characters - accurate as of November 23, 2001 - strut their athletic stuff, while various options enable players to fiddle with strategy and player rosters to their heart's content. Since Sega's NBA 2K2 isn't scheduled for a release in the UK, this is currently the best available Xbox basketball game we've played so far.

1. Playable and involving
2. Atmospheric action
3. NBA-okay

1. Only standard modes included
2. Crowd and courts not in same graphics league as players

Power
Xbox isn't breaking sweat generating flimsy background detail for the impressive players.

Style
So authentically basketball, if pumped full of air, it would go round and speckly orange.

Immersion
Feels better than any other Xbox ball-bouncer, with exciting matches that you feel a part of.

Lifespan
If you're up for it so is Inside Drive. Full seasons on the hardest setting beckon.

Summary
The best basketball game we've seen, but not so great that there isn't room for future improvement.