Building upon the success of the first five-on-five basketball simulation ever created for PSP, NBA '06 for PSP expands the franchise by featuring numerous gameplay advancements including enhanced Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), shooting mechanics, player animations, and new mini-games to create the most action-packed, realistic basketball experience to date for a portable device.
NBA '06 for PSP implements a trading card system where players can take highlight plays captured as virtual cards and keep them as collectibles or share with other gamers. A new ladder challenge is also available, allowing players to compete in a mini-game or exhibition mode series in an attempt to reach the top of the ladder and earn special virtual trading card rewards.
For quick gaming action, NBA '06 for PSP introduces two all-new classic schoolyard mini-games, HORSE and Dodgeball, along with returning favorites Paint Mode, PlayStation Skills Challenge, and 3-Point Contest.
To enhance the overall experience of high-flying NBA action, NBA '06 for PSP will run at 60 frames per second (FPS), making every pass, drive, shot or dunk as smooth as the real deal. Additionally, tandem animation technology, along with motion capture data from more than 10 professional basketball players, combine to produce ultra-realistic player interactions and lifelike movements.
"As the first to market with a successful basketball game on PSP, we were able to take our experience with NBA and apply that knowledge to implement key upgrades to NBA '06," said Scott Rohde, director, sports product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We wanted to bring together a solid five-on-five basketball game with updated features and animations, and tie in smaller bits of hoops action such as new mini-games and a ladder challenge. We're excited to bring back portable NBA action that will satisfy gamers whenever, wherever."
Further enhancing the intense NBA action, NBA '06 for PSP supplies all-new offensive maneuvers, including the ability to add spin moves and pump fakes during shots, and the option to "turbo" move a character around the court with the press of a button. Upgraded A.I. provides gamers with four simplified play-calling commands tied to each directional button position including set pick, send cutter, post-up, and run baseline. In addition, gamers will have two options available for shooting: the default "hold and release" mechanic and the "clutch shooting" option.
Gracing the cover of NBA '06 for PSP is Phoenix Suns All-Star power forward Amare Stoudemire. In just three years in the league, Stoudemire quickly made a name for himself by being named NBA Rookie of the Year after being selected ninth overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2002 NBA draft. He went on to be selected as a member of the U.S.A. Olympic Basketball Team at the 2004 Games in Athens and was voted in to this year's NBA All-Star game.
Officially licensed by the NBA and NBDL, NBA '06 for PSP is prepared to deliver the ultimate basketball experience anytime, anywhere.