Remember all those rumours during the football World Cup in the USA? Goals widened, offside ditched, all drawn games banned? Yup, the Yanks wanted to turn footy into basketball, with regular scoring and end-to-end action. But now even normal b-ball is deemed too slow, with NBA Street 2, like its predecessor, reducing the action to a three-on-three score-fest.

This is basketball for the masses - easy to pick up, but with added depth for the aficionados. Grab some mates and fun will be had, hoops fans or not. You can attempt tactics, but it's easier to concentrate on your own shot accuracy, as defending is erratic. Special moves and use of the turbo bar add depth and strategy, too. There's more to this than multiplayer mirth, though, with plenty of goodies to unlock as you play through the leagues. And then there's the Create-A-Player mode. Our attempt - a short, ginger all-rounder called Timothy - certainly upheld the theory that white men can't jump. Take it a bit more seriously and you can pick your own team from correctly named players throughout the league.

The player AI has improved from the original game. Team-mates are now more likely to make space and guard, although they're still temperamental. One minute they'll be leaping through the air, offering the perfect target for your alley-oop pass, the next they'll be scratching their chin in the corner of the court, oblivious to the opposition's attack. Nevertheless, with nifty use of the Right thumbstick, which lets you pass and retain control, you can usually compensate.

The atmosphere is spot-on - think '70s funk, modern rap and squeaky trainers. The game's play mechanics mimic the cartoon style - realistic character likenesses apart - fun, exaggerated and with an emphasis on big plays and big laughs.

Overall, the mix works extremely well. This is a quick and simple game for post-pub competitors, complete with a meaty amount of single-player extras to unlock. Your incentive to earn these new players, courts and moves will depend on how serious your basketball knowledge is. If you've heard of 'Pistol' Pete Maravich then you'll love it - if you can only stretch to a vague memory of the Harlem Globetrotters, you'll be less keen. Still, on the court is where it really counts, and NBA Street Vol 2 doesn't disappoint.

1. Pick up and play
2. Satisfying moves
3. Mutliplayer brilliance
4. Accurate stats

1. Erratic AI
2. You may tire of the end-to-end play

Power
Runs silky smooth, with decent visuals. The analogue controls work well too.

Style
Plenty of flashy effects and as cool as a cucumber - the tunes aren't half bad either.

Immersion
Multiplayer is magic, and the pile of unlockable goodies means lone dunkers won't get bored.

Lifespan
In multiplayer you'll play till NBA Street 3. It will take single players a fair while to unlock everything.

Summary
Grab some friends and get stuck in. Easy to play but harder to master, NBA Street 2 is a slam-dunking success.