Play Kobe Bryant's NBA Courtside Online

Summary

Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside (often called Kobe Bryant's NBA Courtside) arrived when the 19‑year‑old phenom was just entering his second NBA season, making him the youngest athlete to headline his own video game. The title captures the 1997‑98 rosters in full‑court 5‑on‑5 action, offering Exhibition, Season and Playoffs modes, with the option to simulate games and even craft custom players down to appearance and stats.

Because Michael Jordan wasn’t part of the players’ association, the game substitutes a placeholder called “Roster Player #98,” while Golden State’s Latrell Sprewell is absent due to a league suspension at the time. Development was first hinted at Nintendo’s Space World in late 1997, and the on‑court animations were built from motion‑capture data, giving the action a surprisingly fluid feel for the N64.

Critics quickly crowned it the best basketball experience on the console, praising its sharp medium‑resolution graphics, demanding AI and flexible camera angles. Some reviewers noted clunky controls—especially on rebounds and free throws—and a frustrating ball‑stop mechanic when defended, but the overall consensus was that the game’s realism and depth outweighed those quirks. Its strong sales earned a Player’s Choice badge and a nomination for Console Sports Game of the Year, cementing its place as a must‑have for N64 hoop fans.