NFL Street 3 is an arcade-style football game that plays better than most so-called “sim” football games. Rather than attempt to emulate real-world football, it takes advantage of the fact that it’s a game and as such can create its own reality. Players can run up wall and twirl in the air like helicopters. They pull off moves so hot that they literally catch on fire. Gamebreaker moves give the players temporary, super-human abilities. Fans will note that the Gamebreaker moves have been toned down a little to make things a little more balanced. Although the AI will still seem to cheat, things have been evened out in the multi-player mode so that using a Gamebreaker move won’t necessarily guarantee a touchdown. In this way the game will ultimately reward the skilled player in the long run although strategic use of the Gamebreaker moves can greatly assist slightly less skilled players.

Respect the Street is the main single-player mode. It’s the basic storyline mode in which you challenge opponents, win, move on, and challenge more difficult opponents. Repeat as necessary until you rule the world. Okay, just the States. You will compete in various major cities, ones that are home to NFL teams. Since the game is licensed you’ll play against real-life NFL players and their buddies. Winning games will earn you points and money which you can use to increase your skills and purchase items such as new equipment and even cars, but the one commodity that money can’t buy is respect. Earn respect and the world is yours. With a healthy dose of respect you will be able to recruit licensed NFL players to join your team. And who said that money can’t buy respect? Oh, I guess that was me three sentences ago. Fact is, if you spot rival teams some points, as a display of good sportsmanship, you’ll end up earning more respect, thus ultimately buying it.

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Regardless of your skill level, you’ll notice that the first few matches are really tough. This is because your players are not at their peak skill levels. You have to earn some points to increase their attributes, then things will be a little easier from that point. But to do that you have to take part in various training exercises and drills disguised as various mini-games. Aside from being fun to play they are necessary for getting your team in shape.

Chose a play from the playbook and let the game begin. By performing successful plays such as passing, tackling, intercepting and scoring, you will fuel your Gamebreaker meter. Unleash a Gamebreaker move when you really need it. There are a variety of moves that can be enhanced from throwing the ball down the field like a meteor to countering a potentially damaging tackle into a solid ass kicking. You’re virtually guaranteed an interception if you jump at the right time but as I mentioned, you’re not guaranteed a touchdown anymore. This makes the game a little less of a button masher by offering some depth in the form of strategy.

Other enhancements include turbo and style modifiers. Turbo will give you a quick boost when you need it and you can turn just about any move into a spectacular showstopper by pressing the style modifier button. It’s like doing a trick in Tony Hawk, and just about as risky. You’ll receive points for styling but you also run the risk of losing control of the ball and getting sacked because you have to remember that the other team has the same moves available to them. The AI can still play an unfair game as they will magically become superstars in the last few minutes, scoring back to back touchdowns as though they were hustling you all along.