Kobe Bryant’s NBA Courtside was one of those N64 basketball games that actually felt like you were playing real hoops—not just mashing buttons and hoping for the best. The controls are smooth, and once you get the hang of it, pulling off crossovers or alley-oops feels surprisingly natural. The graphics were solid for the time, with player models that didn’t look like stiff mannequins, and Kobe’s animations in particular had that signature flair.

What I liked was how it balanced arcade-style fun with just enough realism—fast breaks actually worked, and defense wasn’t a total afterthought. The AI could be punishing if you played on higher difficulties, but in a way that made sinking a last-second shot feel earned. It’s definitely a nostalgia trip now, but back then, this was the closest thing to running the court with prime Kobe.