| paleface [sys=PS1; cat=Sports; reg=Japan] |
| | | Simple Series re-issue of "1 on 1" (I'm not sure about the last word, the katakana is "pu ra su"--"place" was the best idea I had, though "press" was the first and makes more sense, but wouldn't that have been "pu re su"? Oh well) with, from what I can gather from the FAQ of the original edition, simplified controls (you don't have to press a button to dribble) and a new 2-on-2 mode, which I've yet to try.
I have almost no clue of how to execute all the obscure moves of each of the fourteen or so wacky street basketball players but that's okay because at least I can dunk, and even fake shots when playing against a human. Some hilarious characters--one of my favorites is the woodsman, simply because he has a squirrel on his head--and relatively basic but challenging gameplay: defense is almost like real-time rock/paper/scissors when facing up against the attacker. But of course you could let them run by you and then block the shot from behind, which is what the AI loves doing to me most, unless maybe it's knocking me down just as I start to jump (and how I wish I knew how to do that myself).
The inventive characters, surprisingly pleasant 3D graphics, and nice uptempo music create a comfortable frame for this simple yet compelling and frustrating game, something like NBA Jam really only with interesting characters and that sense of style, sharp control and timing characteristic of top Japanese design houses. I particularly like (though it can be distressing while it is being beaten into you) the way in which each character presents a unique strategic challenge when you play against the CPU. |
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| paleface 23:15:58 04/30/24 [title updated] |
| | | Oh! It's "Plus," at the end of the title. Giant Bomb has some info on this SERIES by developer Jorudan: https://www.giantbomb.com/1-on-1/3030-41025/ and https://www.giantbomb.com/1-on-1-government/3030-37284/
With some additional info from GameFAQs, it looks like this:
1998 - 1 on 1 (PS1, PS3 PSN JP) - 1998
1999 - 1 on 1 Government (arcade) - 1999 - sequel to 1 on 1
2000 - Simple 1500 Series Vol. 30: The Basket - 1 on 1 Plus (PS1) - 2000 - port of the arcade game
2003 - Baskelian (PS2)
1 on 1 is still purchasable on the JP PS3 PS Store. |
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| | | Man this game even says "1 on 1 Government" on its title screen!
Looks like it doesn't have Practice and uh whatever the other side modes in 1 on 1 were. The action is smoother, though; like, you don't explicitly have to hit a button to start moving and get around the other character. |
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| | | Even with its slightly condensified basic controls, the move list for this game is wild (lovely HTML FAQ here; same author also did one for 1 on 1): https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps/262640-simple-1500-series-vol-30-the-basket-1on1-plus/faqs/80836
This game is not pricey on eBay--but there was only 1 US seller, who for some reason had it for under $30 shipped, WITH 10 other Simple 1500 Series games. = o And they're in my state! Doggonit, I'm trying to stop the buying spree I've been on for the past uh 4+ months, but I could not pass that up. Hopefully it rips okay~~ (the ROM is only like 150 MB or something so I suppose that gives it a decent chance; the prequel is twice the size, maybe due to the unskippable start-up video and some little side modes). |
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In DuckStation.
I owned this over 20 years ago and thought it was interesting but never gave it a real shakedown--which is too bad because now that I've reacquired it...it's super fun! : D
To my surprise I got way more into the 2-on-2 mode--so much crazy stuff can happen, and it's fun to try to work with a CPU teammate. ^ _^
Characters' special moves this time tend to be three-button sequences rather than quarter circle motions as they were in the prequel ("1 on 1," also on PS1); still too complicated for me to get into~~but maybe some day?
I do like the streamlined main controls a lot more. : ) Usually I can't get to grips with even the simplest basketball game controls but I sorta got going on this--on Easy difficulty, at least. : D The characters are a hoot, the graphics are quite nice, and the music pumps!
Definitely my favorite basketball game. ^ _^
Concept, character designs and illustrations by "Slam Dunk" and "Vagabond" manga artist Takehiko Inoue.
(I looked up Jorudan's later PS2 game, Baskelian, and it's even worse than I remembered. Glad I sold mine years ago. Something went horribly wrong between this game and that one.) |
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