First look: NBA ShootOut 2002 PS

989 Sports recently sent us a playable build of NBA ShootOut 2002 for the PlayStation. The 2002 version of the ShootOut series will not include any new modes when compared with last year's game, but the control interface has been simplified to make it easier to pick up and play. The computer AI has also been adjusted to more accurately represent the NBA game.

ShootOut 2002 will include exhibition, season, and playoffs modes, as well as tools to create players, plays, and dunks. There are 1,000 different animations in the game, and more than 500 plays have been designed for the game with input from real NBA players such as Chris Webber, Jason Kidd, Robert Horry, Nick Van Exel, and more. New Jersey Nets broadcaster Ian Eagle has supplied the play-by-play commentary for ShootOut 2002, logging more than 100 hours of speech.

NBA ShootOut 2002 for the PlayStation is currently scheduled for release at the beginning of September. Look for our full review coming soon.