NBA Street Vol. 3 (PlayStation 2, Xbox)

If you're new to this series, don't expect to see organized five-on-five games. NBA STREET VOL. 3 is all about fast-paced, full-court three-on-three basketball played on unforgiving blacktops -- without the aid of refs -- in some of the world's most famous playgrounds. The game features partial rosters from all 30 licensed NBA teams, along with 25 NBA legends who can be brought out of retirement for the ultimate dream team.

The biggest change is the addition of the Trick Stick (the right analog stick). This allows you to execute mind-boggling moves, like moving the ball through your legs a dozen times while floating through the air for a reverse slam-dunk. In court creator mode, players can build and customize their home court from the ground up. You can choose from hundreds of options including location, court surface, net, and even backboard styles.

EA Sports has once again hit a slam-dunk with the release of NBA Street Vol. 3. The game offers plenty of excitement for the NBA basketball fan, but also offers variety and challenges throughout, making it a game that your kid will want to play for hours -- once they get a hang of the controls. While the Trick Stick adds an exciting element to the game, mastering the complicated controls that are needed to operate it effectively can be very frustrating for beginners.

Overall, this is the perfect addition to your kid's game collection. The only other potential drawback for parents of younger players is the amount of trash-talking throughout the game. There's no swearing, but it is not a good representation of the kind of sportsmanship that is often stressed in team sports.